Response of broiler chickens to either wheat or maize basesd dites supplemented with graded level of raw sesame seeds

An experiment was conducted to assess the influence of raw sesame seeds on the performance, serum biochemistry, carcass characteristics and digestive physiology of broiler chickens. Sesame seeds were included in the starter, grower and finisher diets of broiler chicks and their effects were investigated in different grain based diets. Feeding trials was conducted on Ross 308 broiler chicks from d-old to 35 d of age. All feed was provided as whole mash. This summary provides an over view of the key findings of the research. Providing newly hatched chicks with starter diets containing raw sesame seeds enhanced feed intake and growth performance at d 10 of age. The effects of supplemental dietary sesame seeds in the starter diets appears to have long-term benefits on the feed intake of broiler chickens and their effects were sustained during subsequent grower stage, however disappeared in the finisher stage of broiler production cycle. Birds on wheat based diets expressed higher feed intake than those on maize based diets throughout the experimental period. However better FCR was recorded for birds on maize based diets. The inclusion of raw sesame seeds appears to have benefits on the serum cholesterol level of the broiler chickens, limiting the high risk of lipid related disease of the costumer. Inclusion of raw sesame seeds was effective at decreasing the digestibility of nutrients particularly protein and nitrogen, with no impacts on the performance of broilers. The results of this study provide evidence that inclusion of raw sesame seeds to diets of broiler chicks is a promising tool to enhance the performance of broiler chickens especially at an early age. Beyond providing nutrients for growth, sesame seeds can maintain feed intake and regulate the cholesterol level. There is a need for further investigation into use of raw sesame seeds in layer chickens diets. A wider range of exploring various feed staff should be considered, taking advantages and exploiting the most available processing techniques.