The objective of this experiment was to study the impact of dietary molasses supplementation on the performance of male and female Dandarawi chicks reared on two types of litter in hot climate in the summer months (June-July-August) of Upper Egypt (Assiut Goverenorate). Six hundred and thirty 8 weeks of age Dandarawi chicks were used. Chicks were randomly distributed into three groups (210 chicks/group) of three replicates each (70 chicks each, 35 male and 35 female). Birds in group 1 fed the control diet and reared on wheat straw litter (WS). Birds in group 2 fed on the experimental diet (i.e. control diet supplemented with 4 % molasses) and reared on wheat straw litter (WSM). Birds in group 3 fed on the control diet supplemented with 4 % molasses and reared on sand litter (SM).
Results indicated that the males and females of chickens reared on SM and fed diets containing 4% molasses had significantly (P<0.05) higher body weight than WS and WSM groups at all ages studied. Body weight at 20 weeks of age of the SM group was significantly (P<0.05) higher by about 15.4 and 7.7% of males and 21.7 and 10.3% of females than those of WS and WSM groups, respectively. The males and females of the SM group significantly gained (P<0.05) more than those of the WS and WSM groups at 8-12 weeks of age, respectively, while the males and females of WSM group significantly gained (P<0.05) more than those of WS group. The overall mean males of SM group showed a significantly (P<0.05) higher daily weight gain by about 27.3 and 8.7 % than those of WS and WSM groups, respectively, while the males of WSM group showed significantly (P<0.05) higher daily weight gain by about 17.1 % than those of WS group. The average of feed consumption revealed that SM group consumed significantly (P<0.05) higher feed by about 9.3 and 8.1% as compared with those of WS and WSM groups respectively. The overall mean of feed conversion in SM groups was significantly (P<0.05) improved by about 24.4 and 18.3 %, respectively as compared with those of WS and WSM groups, while no significant differences in feed conversion between WS and WSM groups were observed. The males and females of SM group had significantly (P<0.05) higher carcass weight, tibia bone length and tibia bone diameter than those of WS and WSM groups except tibia bone diameter of females. Males of SM group had significantly (P<0.05) higher percentages of femurs and drumsticks than those of WSM group, but the males of WS group had an intermediate estimate. No significant differences in plasma concentrations of albumin, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and calcium of males and albumin, AST and calcium of females were found among all groups. Males and females of WSM and SM groups recorded significantly (P<0.05) lower plasma glucose than those of WS group.
It is concluded that the males and females Dandarawi chicks reared on sand litter and fed dietary molasses at level of 4% had significantly (P<0.05) higher body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption, carcass yield and enhanced feed conversion ratio as compared with control birds reared on wheat straw litter and fed free molasses diet under hot climate of Assiut Governorate.