Utilization of Different Millets Replacing Maize in Coloured Broiler Chicken Diet

An experiment was conducted to study the performance of coloured broilers fed on diets containing different cereals in place of maize. Maize was totally replaced with pearl millet, finger millet or sorghum on weight basis. Each experimental diet was fed to 5 groups of 36 chicks each maintained in deep litter pens (6x6 feet), and diets were given ad libitum from 8 to 49 day age. Carcass traits were measured on 51 d of age. Broilers fed on diets containing peatl millet, flnger millet or sorghum as principal source of energy had significantly lower weight gain and poor feed conversion efficiency compared to maize fed group till 5 weeks age. However, these differences did not exist when feeding of cereal diets continued up to 7 weeks age. Gizzard and intestine weights were significantly higher in broilers fed finger millet diet compared to maize diet. This could be attributed to higher crude fibre in finger millet. Abdominal fat pad weight was more in broilers fed pearl millet diet. Mortality was not influenced by variation in cereal grain source in the diet. The cost of feed required to produce one kg live weight gain was considerably less when sorghum or pearl millet was used as the principal source of energy compared to those fed maize reference diet.