Gomes et al., 2008. Rev. Bras. Zootec., 37 (9): 1617-1621

This research was carried out to determine the nutritional value of pearl millet and to evaluate its utilization as an energy source diets for broilers from 1 to 21 days old. Two experiments were conducted. In Expt. 1, the chemical composition (dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, calcium and phosphorus) and gross energy, apparent metabolizable energy corrected by nitrogen balance were determined. In the second experiment, the performance of broilers from 1 to 21 days old fed diets with 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% pearl millet were determined. A completely randomized design in a 5*2 factorial arrangement (level of millet and sex) with four replicates and 20 birds per experimental unit was used. The determined values of chemical composition were dry matter 88.53%, gross energy 3604 kcal/kg, crude protein 12.71%, crude fibre 5.40%, ether extract 3.10%, calcium 0.029% and phosphorus 0.310/0 and in the second experiment, apparent metabolizable energy corrected by nitrogen balance 2656 kcal/kg. The analysed traits were feed intake, weight gain and feed/gain ratio. The performance of broilers fed rations with higher levels pearl millet was better, which could be related to the increase of oil levTel in the diet. The inclusion of pearl millet up to 20% is recommended in the rations for broilers from 1 to 21 days old.