ABSTRACT
Water and the various treatment diets were offered to the birds ad libitum for the period of each experiment. Data were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and significant differences among treatment means were compared using the Duncan Multiple Range Test. In the first trial, the starter phase showed that chicks fed Kaura with phytase inclusion had significantly (P < 0.05) higher final body weight and weight gain. Finisher broiler chickens showed no significant (P > 0.05) differences in the final body weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed to gain ratio across all treatments. Feed cost/Kg gain for the eight (8) weeks period showed that birds fed Kaura with phytase had significantly (P < 0.05) lower cost of production. The dressing percentage was significantly (P < 0.05) highest for birds fed Kaura diets (T3 and T5). Diets with phytase inclusion had significantly (P < 0.05) higher tibia calcium and phosphorus contents. There were no significant (P > 0.05) difference in blood calcium and phosphorus. Results of the second trial showed that chicks fed Kaura with protease and G2 G inclusion had significantly (P<0.05) highest final body weight and weight gain. Feed/gain ratio, feed cost and feed cost/Kg gain were not significantly (P > 0.05) different. Finisher broiler chickens showed significant (P<0.05) differences in the final body weight. Kaura diet with phytase had significantly lower final body weight and dressing percentage than all the other treatments. Parameters measured for blood quality were not significantly (P > 0.05) different for all the treatments. It is concluded that phytase in Kaura based diets significantly improved growth performance of broiler chicks, enhanced bone mineralization and significantly reduced cost of production than Jandawa and maize based diets, also Roxazyme G2 G and the combination with Protease in Kaura based diets improved growth performance for broiler starter chicks and also resulted into comparable performance with maize based diets for broiler finisher. Blood quality was not compromised. The Kaura variety of sorghum with Ronozyme phytase, Ronozyme protease combined with Roxazyme G2 G inclusion can be used for effective nutrient utilization and improved growth performance by broiler chickens.