Growth performance of broiler chickens fed replacement levels of red and black finger millet (Eleusine coracana) varieties at starter phase

This study examined effect of red and black finger millet (RBFM) (Eleusine coracana) on performance of broiler chicks as replacement for maize using 600 chicks for 28 days. Using 2x5 factorial arrangement in completely randomized design with RBFM inclusion at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% replacing maize in diets. Ten dietary treatments replicated 3 times containing 20 chicks/replicate and growth parameters determined. Results showed improvement in weights of birds fed diets containing 25% (669.50g) and 50% (677.50g) RBFM which had no statistical difference with birds fed control diets (679.80g) in main effect. Final weight and weight gain of birds fed diets containing RBFM up to 50% (684.90g and 670.00g) performed better than birds fed control diets (679.80g) in interaction. Feed intake was poorest in birds fed black finger millet at 75% (748.22g). FCR of chicks fed diets at 25% (1.70) red finger millet compared with birds fed control (1.62) diets. Cost/kg gain was increasing as RBFM were increasing, least cost was at 25% (₦222.60) red finger millet which can be compared with control (₦189.10). It can be concluded that RBFM can be alternative for maize as source of energy in chicks’ diets up to 50% without affecting performance