We conducted two studies to assess the protein and energy value of pea
rl millet grain (Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Pr.) for mature goats. In
Exp. 1, 15 2-yr-old male castrated goats were gradually introduced ove
r a 4-mo period to three all-grain diets consisting of 100% corn (Zea
mays L.), 50:50 corn:pearl millet, and 100% pearl millet. After the ad
justment to all-grain feeds, the goats were fed the diets in metabolis
m crates for 2-d adjustment and 7-d total collection periods. For Exp.
2, complete diets containing the three grain treatments (corn, 50:50
corn:pearl millet, and pearl millet) as 40% of the total DM as fed (th
e remainder was mainly alfalfa meal and mineral supplement) were balan
ced to contain 16% crude protein (CP) and 2.24 Meal digestible energy
(DE)/kg on an air-dry basis. Twelve mature (4- to 6-yr-old) buck goats
were randomly assigned to diets and fed in pens for 14 d and then mov
ed to metabolism crates for 10-d adjustment and 10-d total collection
periods. In Exp. 1, DM intake was unaffected by dietary treatment, but
digestibility of DM and organic matter was lowest (P <.10) in goats f
ed 100% pearl millet. Digestibility of complete diets also decreased (
P <.10) as corn was replaced by 50 or 100% pearl millet, but DM intake
increased (P <.10) on the 100% millet diet. In both experiments, subs
tituting pearl millet for corn had no effect on nitrogen retained by t
he goats. Metabolizable energy of pearl millet was only 92% that of co
rn, but ME intake was similar when the grains were fed as 40% of the d
ietary DM. Pearl millet has potential as a major energy feed for goats
in areas where it can be economically produced.