PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKENS FED TWO VARIETIES EACH OF GUINEA CORN AND MILLET AS REPLACEMENTS FOR DIETARY MAIZE

PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKENS FED TWO VARIETIES EACH OF GUINEA CORN AND MILLET AS REPLACEMENTS FOR DIETARY MAIZE

Abstract:

Two studies were carried out to evaluate the effects of complete replacement of maize with two varieties of guineacorn and two varieties of millet on the growth performance, carcass characteristics and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens. Five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets (23.5% CP; 2900 Kcal/ME) and (21% CP; 3000Kcal/ME) for the broiler starter and finisher phases respectively were formulated. Diet 1(maize based diet) served as the control while diets 2,3,4 and 5 were white guineacorn, yellow guineacorn (Short kaura), pearl millet and finger millet based diets respectively. A total of 225 day- old Marshal broiler chicks were randomly allotted to the five treatments. Each treatment consisted of 45 birds with three replicates of fifteen birds each in a completely randomized design (CRD). Feeds and water were provided ad libitum. The results of the first trial showed that final body weights and weight gained were significantly (p<0.05) higher in birds fed pearl and finger millet diets (T4 and T5) respectively than other treatments. T4 (Pearl millet based diet) recorded significantly (p<0.05) the best feed conversion ratio and the lowest feed cost per kg weight gain. Those fed the control (maize based diet T1) gave similar (p>0.05) values as those fed T3 (Short kaura based diet) in all the parameters measured. Birds fed diet T2 (white guineacorn) gave significantly (p<0.05) lowest values in all parameters measured and poor feed conversion ratio at the finisher phase. The second trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% levels of maize in the diet with white guineacorn on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics of broilers. Substituting maize with white guineacorn did not adversely (p>0.05) affect feed intake across the dietary treatments. At the starter phase, birds fed 25% and 50% guineacorn diet as replacements for maize gave comparable results as those fed diet T1(control diet). At the finisher phase, there was no significant (p>0.05) difference for final weight, daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio and cost of feed per kilogramme weight gain between the birds fed the control diet and those fed between 25% and 75% maize replacement by white guineacorn. Birds fed 100% white guineacorn based diet gave significantly (p<0.05) lowest values in all parameters measured and poor feed conversion ratio. The results of digestibility trial showed no significant (p>0.05) differences in the percent ether extract and ash digestibilities across dietary treatments. Based on the results of the studies, it was concluded that millets or Short kaura guineacorn can completely replace maize component in broilers diets with no adverse effects on feed intake, growth rate, feed conversion ratio, nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics. Also, observations from the second experiment showed that white guineacorn could conveniently replace up to 75% of the maize in broiler starter and finisher diets respectively without any adverse effect on growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens

PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKENS FED TWO VARIETIES EACH OF GUINEA CORN AND MILLET AS REPLACEMENTS FOR DIETARY MAIZE