Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of replacing maize with low tannin sorghum (LTS) in layer feed on the physical and nutritional quality of eggs of layers at peak egg production stage. One hundred and twenty, 30-weeks old hens were grouped into three blocks of forty birds per block and were subjected to three different diets: 100%Maize, 50%Maize50%LTS and 100%LTS for 8 weeks. Eggs were collected on the 4^th and 8^th week of feeding trial. The results showed that eggs had statistically similar weights, amounts of protein, fat, Vitamin E and Vitamin A. The colour of egg yolks increased in lightness and reduced in hue and Chroma significantly across all the dietary blocks with increase in LTS while cholesterol content decreased. The saturated fatty acid content in the albumin and yolk oil extract remained constant irrespective of the period of feeding or variation of Maize and LTS content. The Monounsaturated fatty acid content decreased significantly (P=0.0003) during the whole trial diet period. The Polyunsaturated fatty acid content remained constant for the albumin (P=0.4095) while the yolk showed an increase (P=0.1162) from the initial 15.82±0.57 g/100g on the 4^th week to 24.05±7.25 g/100g on the 8^th week for diets with 100%Maize. 50%M50%LTS increased from 14.59±0.16 to 21.48±4.19 g/100g and 100%LTS had its Polyunsaturated fatty acid content decline from 13.36±0.31 to 10.71±0.32g/100g. This study indicates that LTS can replace Maize as a source of energy in chicken feeds with no adverse effects on the quality of the eggs.

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