Abstract:
The present experiment was designed to evaluate the nutritive value of
Millet Vs Feteriata in Broiler diet.
192 unsexed one day old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly
distributed into six groups (treatments) with four replicates each (8
chicks/replicate) at Kuku Poultry Research Unit Farm at Animal Production
Research Center for seven weeks of age from 24/11/2006-10/1/200, the
temperature range was 15-38ºC.
The experimental diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and
isocaloric with the same level of essential amino acids according to the
NRC (1984). A control diet (C) was formulated to contain Sorghum
grain as sole source of energy and then replaced by graded levels of
Millet grain (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%) respectively.
Results obtained from the present experiment showed no significant
difference (P>0.05) among tested groups for the data average feed intake,
live body weight, body weight gain and food conversion ratio.
Live body weight, hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight and
carcass cuts [Chest, back, drumstick, wings and giblets (liver, heart and
gizzard)] were not statistically significant (P>0.05) among the tested groups.
Thigh showed significantly higher weight (P<0.05) for group fed on 10%
Millet level. On the other hand, both groups fed on diet M40 and
M50% level exhibited significantly (P<0.05) higher abdominal fat and
neck weight.
vi
Feed cost per/kg for the tested groups were almost similar (0.738,
0.738, 0.737, 0.735, 0.730 and 0.722 Sudanese pounds).
The present study indicated that Millet can replace Sorghum grain
up to 50% level in broiler diet without adverse effect.
