Evaluation of the economics and growth performance of broilers fed with two millet varieties diets

Abstract

The study focused on the economics and growth performance of broilers fed with two millet varieties diets. Three experimental diets were formulated and designated as M1, M2 and M3. Diet 1 (Maize) served as control, while diets 2 (Pearl Millet) and 3 (Finger Millet) served as replacement for maize in chicken diets respectively. 135 day-old broiler chicks were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD) with 45 chicks per treatment, each replicated three times with 15 chicks. The diets were subjected to proximate composition assay. The data collected were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The difference between treatments means were separated for significance at 0.05 level of significance using Duncan’s multiple range tests. The results of the proximate composition ranges of 7.72 – 9.53% crude protein (CP), 2.61 – 3.61% crude fiber (CF), I.20 – 3.01% ether extract (EE), 1.82 – 2.72% ash and 76.91 – 78.20% nitrogen free extract (NFE) with mixed variations in the diets. At the starter phase, daily weight gain (23.12 – 29.05 g) was significantly affected (p<0.05) across the dietary-treatments. At the finisher and overall phases, all the parameters measured were not significant affected (p>0.05), while the total feed cost was lower in M1 (₦319.79K), M1 had the highest cost per kilogram of feed (₦128.43k), while the best feed cost in Naira per kilogram weight gain was obtained in M3 (₦232.51K). It was concluded that millet varieties can replace maize in broiler diet without adverse effects on growth performance of broilers.