Biochemical Evaluation of Millet Offal as Feeds for Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Studies were conducted to chemically characterize and biologically evaluate millet offal as a replacement for maize in the diets of broiler chickens. Two types of millet offal were chemically characterized: the one obtained as a by-product of brewing industry and the other a by-product of pap manufacture. Studies were further carried out to further determine the effects of varying levels of millet offal obtained from the brewing industry on the performance of broiler chickens. The results of the studies indicated that millet offal from the brewery contained 14.60% CP, 4.57% CF, 2.25% EE, 2.90% Ash and 2148.0kcal/kg ME while the one from pap manufacture contained 20.65% CP, 3.12% CF, 3.01% EE, 3.36% Ash and 2506.0kcal/kg ME. The results further indicated final body weight values of 602.02, 605.85, 605.83 and 561.72g/bird for starter chicks (5 weeks old) and 2283.7, 2192.2, 2145.9 and 1904.5g/bird for finisher chickens (9 weeks old). Generally, there was an increase in feed intake as dietary millet offal increased. Feed cost per bird generally decreased when millet offal replaced maize in the diets. Therefore, millet offal can be classified as medium energy and protein sources in poultry diets. Moreover, millet offal can replace up to 50% maize in the diet without any adverse performance of broiler chickens and at reduced cost of feed production.