EFFECT OF DIETARY REPLACEMENT OF MAIZE WITH MILLET (PEARL MILLET) ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth performance of broiler chickens fed diets containing millet as a replacement for maize. Five diets containing 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% were formulated and designated as diet 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively. 120 days old Anak 2000 broiler chicks were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD) and each treatment was replicated three times. Feed and water were provided ad libitum and the feeding trials lasted for eight weeks. At the starter phase no significant differences (P>0.05) in Initial Weight, Daily weight Gain and Feed Conversion Ratio among the treatment means. However, Final body weight (1937.7 -2231.7 g; P<0.05) and Daily Feed intake (47.17 -51.66 g; P<0.05) were significantly influenced by the dietary treatments. At the finisher phase no significant differences (P>0.05) were observed in daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio respectively. While Daily weight gain (39.12 46.16 g) differ among the treatment means. At overall phase Daily feed intake and Daily weight gain were not affected. While Feed Conversion Ratio were affected(P<0.05) by the experimental diets. Birds on T3 diet (50%) had a better performance in terms of feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio. It can be concluded that millet can replace maize in the diet of broiler chickens without deleterious effect.