Pearl millet in the diet of laying hens - doi: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v33i1.9946

Abstract

The present study examined the effects of the use of pearl millet, as energetic source, in the diets of laying hens on the performance and eggs quality, as well as to accomplish an economic evaluation in order to verify the viability of using the pearl millet. Three hundred thirty-six commercial laying hens were used, distributed in a completely randomized experimental design, with six treatments, seven replicates and eight birds for experimental unit. The treatments consisted in a control diet based on corn and soybean meal and the others with different levels of pearl millet (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%). The pearl millet inclusion did not influence the feed intake, egg production (%), feed conversion and internal and external quality of eggs. Regarding the yolk pigmentation index, we observed a linear reduction as the pearl millet level was increasing in the diets. In relation to the economic variable, the level of 20% replacement by millet evidenced lower viability when compared to corn. Therefore, the pearl millet can substitute the corn at levels higher than 20%, without impairment the performance and egg quality, being economically feasible. However, we should consider the need the inclusion of pigments.