Effect of replacing maize with sorghum, millet or 'acha' on the growth and carcass characteristics of broiler

Abstract

Maize,which suppliesmost of the energy in poultry feeds, has low yields inNigeria and there is competition for the limited harvest of maize between industrial, livestock and human needs. Thus, this study was carried out to evaluate the effects on the growth and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens of replacing the high inputs grain,maize,with a low inputs grain, 'acha', or medium inputs grains, sorghum and millet. Four isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets for both the starter and finisher phases were formulated with maize, sorghum, millet and 'acha' as the main source of energy and were used as treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively.Marshall broiler birds were brooded up to 2 weeks before the treatments were introduced that lasted six weeks.Up to 8 weeks of age, body weight, average daily gain, feed conversion ratio and mortality were recorded weekly. The results of the study show no significant differences (P>0.05) between the four treatments in final body weight and average daily gain but birds on treatment 4 ('acha') had significantly lower feed intake and superior feed conversion ratio than the other experimental diets. Itwas concluded thatmaize can be replaced with sorghum, millet and 'acha' without adverse effects on the performance of broiler chickens.