Effects of tannins as constituents of sorghum grain on broiler chicks growth, protein digestibility and some minerals availability

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to study the effects, of tannins as a 
constituents of sorghum grain on broiler chicks growth, protein 
apparent digestibility and some minerals availability. 
In experiment 1, sorghum tannins at 12 g CE of tannins / kg diet 
depressed growth rate, protein digestibility and ash availability when 
included in broilers diets at two (19 and 15 g protein / kg diet) protein 
levels. The same parameters also showed a decrease in response to a 
decrease in protein level. 
In experiment 2, sorghum tannins reduced (P>0.01) growth rate, 
protein apparent digestibility and minerals (Ca , P, Mg , Co, Fe ) 
availability when included in chicks diets at graded levels (0 , 4 , 8 
and 12 g CE / kg diet).However, Zn availability was not affected by 
sorghum tannins addition. 
This study indicated that, sorghum tannins depressed growth rate 
and decreased protein apparent digestibility and some minerals 
availability. when fed to broiler chicks at low protein level