Effect of supplementing molasses on productive performance, carcass characteristics and hemato-biochemical parameters in broiler

One hundred sixty Cobb 500™ unsexed broiler chicks were used in a 28-day trial to study the effects of molasses supplementation on productive performance, carcass characteristics and hemato-biochemical parameters in commercial broiler. Birds were randomly distributed into four dietary treatment groups designated as T₀, T₁, T₂ and T₃ and molasses was supplemented at 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5% of drinking water for the above groups, respectively. Each group was further divided into four replicates having 10 birds per pen. All birds had free access to ad-libitum feed and water. Results indicated that, weekly average live weight increased significantly in 1^st2^nd and 4^th weeks due to supplementation of molasses. Highest (1620.5 g/bird) and lowest (1569.4 g/bird) average live weight was recorded in T₃ and T₀ groups, respectively at 4^th week. Weight gain increased only in 1^st (p?0.01) and 3^rd (p?0.05) weeks. Maximum (77.8 g/bird/d) and minimum (71.5 g/bird/d) weekly average weight gain was recorded in T₃ and T₂ groups, respectively at 4^th week. Drumstick weight increased (P<0.01) from 4.1 to 4.4% and gizzard weight increased from 2.1 to 2.2% at 4^th week as supplementation of molasses increased from 0 to 1.5%. Hemato-biochemical parameters exhibited normal range among different dietary groups (p>0.05) except for total protein which differed in irregular fashion (p?0.01) at 4^th week. It was concluded that, molasses in addition to basal diet, at an inclusion level of 1.0% of drinking water improves productive performance and carcass characteristics of commercial broiler without changing hemato-biochemical parameters.