Avaliação econômica e desempenho de frangos de corte alimentados com diferentes níveis de milheto em substituição ao milho

Abstract

Two experiments were carried out to determine the energy value, performance and economical feasibility of broiler chickens feeding on different levels of ADR 7010 pearl millet. Experiment 1 was conducted by using 72 broilers with 21 days of age distributed in metabolism cages. A completely randomized experimental design was conducted, with two treatments, six replicates and nine broilers per experimental unit. Pearl millet replaced 40% of reference diet. Values of apparent metabolizable energy of ADR 7010 pearl millet were 3,362 kcal kg-1 (as dry matter) and 3,066 kcal kg-1 (as feed basis) and 12.6% crude protein. Experiment 2 utilized 960 1-day-old chicks distributed in a completely randomized experimental design, with six treatments (0; 20; 40; 60; 80 and 100% of pearl millet inclusion), five replicates and 32 birds per unit. A linear effect was reported of increasing dietary pearl millet levels on weight gain and feed intake in the starting period (1-21 days) and total period (1-41 days). The results were satisfactory for 100% replacement corn, meaning ADR 7010 pearl millet can be included at about 60% in broiler diets without compromising bird performance. Considering the performance results, pearl millet is economically efficient.