Performance of Broilers and Layers Fed Graded Levels of Sesame Hull

Abstract

Sesame hull (SH), a by-product of sesame cream manufacturing, is rich in methionine, cystine, and calcium and is a moderate source of protein. Three studies were conducted to determine the effect of dietary levels of SH on the performance of broilers and layers. In Studies 1 and 2, as dietary SH level increased up to 12%, the weight gain (WG) and feed conversion (FC) of 2-wkold broilers were negatively affected to become significant at 12% level only. In Study 3, the 28% SH reduced both body weight (BW) and egg production (EP) and significantly increased the FC. Feed intake (FI), egg weight (EW), and Haugh unit score (HU) were not affected by SH levels. Yolk color (YC) and shell thickness (ST) were significantly reduced by the 28% SH diet. The results of these studies indicate that SH, as such, is not recommended in broiler starter diets beyond a level of 8%, but may be used up to 14% in layer diets without apparent ill effects.