Use of grain sorghums in poultry diets

A series of experiments were undertaken to compare corn with grain sorghum in the diet of broiler chicks and laying hens0 The first study compared grain sorghum to corn as a source of energy and protein in chick starter diets0 No significant difference in body weights were observed when either cereal grain was fed0 The second study determined the effect of tannic acid on chick growth5 since this compound has been impli­ cated as a toxic component of grain sorghums= It was found that body weights were significantly depressed when the chicks were fed levels of tannic acid greater than 1$* However, only 25% tannic acid was needed to significantly depress feed conversion,, The third experiment was carried out to determine the tannin content of several grain sorghum varietieso The tannin levels varied from QolO% to 0061^0 In a fourth experiment laying hens were fed grain sorghum or corn as the principle source of dietary energy0