PEARL-MILLET IN DIETS OF WHITE PEKIN DUCKS

In two 21-d experiments, the performance, nutrient utilization, and ca rcass composition of ducks fed diets containing pearl millet were comp ared with those fed diets containing com. Com, in diets at two protein levels (22 vs 18% in Experiment 1 and 22 vs 16% in Experiment 2), was replaced by pearl millet either on an equal-weight or isonitrogenous basis. During the first 2 wk of the first experiment, com diets compar ed on an isonitrogenous basis were superior (P < .05) to the millet di ets in promoting weight gain (666 vs 633 g per duck) and feed consumpt ion (965 vs 914 g per duck); but when compared on an equal-weight basi s, the millet diets were similar to the com diets in promoting growth. No significant differences were observed for weight gain, feed consum ption, or feed efficiency at the end of 3 wk. Over the 21-d study, the higher protein diets were more efficiently (P < .05) converted to wei ght gain than the lower protein diets (.63 vs .60 g gain:g feed). Carc ass protein in ducks fed the com diets was greater (P < .05) than in t hose fed the pearl millet diets. In Experiment 2, growth performance d ifferences across dietary protein levels were similar to those in Expe riment 1. However in contrast to Experiment 1, feed consumption was si milar for com and pearl millet diets (776 vs 786 g per duck, respectiv ely), and ducks fed the com diets gained less (P < .05) than those fed the pearl millet diets (590 vs 622 g per duck) during the first 2 wk of Experiment 2. Results of the nutrient utilization trial conducted a t the end of Experiment 2 revealed that diets containing pearl millet were higher (P < .05) in AME than those containing com (3,300 vs 3,100 kcal/kg). These results indicate that pearl millet has a higher energ y value and appears to be at least equal to corn in promoting weight g ains in ducks.