Abstract
An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of the inclusion
of 20% whole-grain or ground pearl millet (PM) in mash and pelleted
diets on the performance, carcass traits, and organ weights of broilers
reared until 21 days of age. A randomized block experimental design
in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement (diets containing corn and soybean
meal, whole-grain PM, or ground PM x mash or pelleted diets), with
five replicates per treatment and 10 birds per experimental unit, was
applied. Diets were analyzed for mean geometric diameter, geometric
standard deviation, pellet hardness, and density. Broiler performance,
carcass yield, and organ weights were evaluated. On day 21, one bird
with the average weight of each experimental unit was sacrificed for
carcass evaluation. It was concluded that both as whole-grain and
ground PM can be added to the diet of broilers up to 21 days of age.
The dietary inclusion of PM results in higher abdominal fat deposition.
Broilers fed the pelleted diets presented lower feed intake, better feed
conversion ratio, lower gizzard and heart percentages, and higher
carcass weigh