Furlan et al., 2003. Rev. Bras. Zootec., 32 (1): 123-131

Three experiments were carried out to determine the nutritive value of pearl millet and to evaluate the performance of growing rabbits fed on isoenergetic rations containing different pearl millet levels. In a digestibility assay (experiment 1), the nutritive values of Common, BN2, and Iapar IA 98301 pearl millet were determined for 40 male New Zealand White rabbits (aged 45 days), allotted in a completely randomized design, with 10 replications. Pearl millet replaced 30% of the reference ration in each treatment. Values of digestible energy of Common, BN2, and Iapar IA 98301 pearl millet were 3410, 3493, and 3505 kcal/kg (as feed basis), respectively. In performance assays (experiments 2 and 3), rations containing increased levels of Common or Iapar IA 98301 pearl millet cultivars (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) substituted maize. In each experiment, 60 New Zealand White rabbits (30 males and 30 females; aged 40 days) were allotted in a completely randomized design, with 12 replications each. No differences in the performance of growing rabbits were observed when Common pearl millet replaced maize. Quadratic effect was reported when maize replaced Iapar IA 98301. Lower weight gain, worse feed:gain ratio, and lower carcass weight were obtained at 64.09, 58.03, and 63.58% Iapar IA 98301 pearl millet levels, respectively. However, results were satisfactory for 100% replacement. It is concluded that pearl millet has good nutritive value. Moreover, Common or Iapar