Ps. Reddy et D. Narahari, UTILIZATION OF FOXTAIL MILLET (SETARIA-ITALICA) AND ITS PROCESSED FORMS ON PERFORMANCE OF BROILERS, Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 67(3), 1997, pp. 237-240
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.