UTILIZATION OF FOXTAIL MILLET (SETARIA-ITALICA) AND ITS PROCESSED FORMS ON PERFORMANCE OF BROILERS

Ground foxtail millet was incorporated at 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% levels in experiment 1. In experiment 2 maize replaced with ground, germinat ed and pelleted foxtail millet each at 0,50 and 100% levels, on isonit rogenous and isocaloric basis in broiler diets. The weight gain was in favour of 40% foxtail millet, but the feed intake and feed efficiency did not reveal any trend irrespective of the dietary levels of foxtai l millet. Consequently insignificant variations were observed at 8 wee ks of age. Pelleting of foxtail millet improved the performance of bro ilers compared to raw, germinated, and maize-based diets. However, the weight gain was depressed with the total replacement of maize by germ inated foxtail millet. The income over feed cost per bird was more or less directly proportional to the dietary level of raw and pelleted fo xtail millet, but it was lower in germinated foxtail millet group. Rea dy-to cook yield, carcass protein and fat, haemoglobin, total serum pr otein and mortality were ndt affected by foxtail millet and its proces sed forms at any level.