Influence of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana) as Alternative Energy Sources on Nutrient Utilization in Mewari Chicken

Abstract:

The present investigation was designed to evaluate the effect of replacing maize with pearl millet and finger millet as alternative energy sources on nutrient utilization efficiency in Mewari chicken. A total of 200-day-old unsexed Mewari chicks were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments with four replicates of ten birds each and reared up to 20 weeks of age under a completely randomized design. The dietary treatments consisted of a maize-based control diet (T1), diets containing 20% (T2) and 40% (T3) pearl millet and diets containing 20% (T4) and 40% (T5) finger millet as partial replacements for maize. All experimental diets were formulated to be iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric in accordance with BIS (2007) recommendations. A metabolism trial was conducted at 20 weeks of age to determine the nutrient utilization in Mewari chicken. Dietary inclusion of pearl millet and finger millet significantly (P<0.05) influenced nutrient intake and utilization in Mewari chicken. Birds fed the diet containing 20% pearl millet observed the highest dry matter digestibility (63.49%) and crude protein digestibility (70.92%), while crude fibre digestibility was higher in birds receiving 40% pearl millet (72.93%). Ether extract digestibility was significantly higher in birds fed 40% finger millet (81.55%), whereas nitrogen-free extract digestibility was highest in the 20% finger millet group (75.10%). Protein efficiency ratio (1.15) and energy efficiency ratio (7.64) were significantly (P<0.05) highest in birds fed 20% pearl millet, indicating superior nutrient utilization efficiency. Based on the results replacement of maize with pearl millet at 20% improved nutrient digestibility and nutrient utilization efficiency without adversely affecting nutrient balance. Therefore, pearl millet may be recommended as a cost-effective alternative energy source at 20 per cent level in diets of Mewari chicken.