Effect of Replacing Maize with Processed Bajra and Wheat on the Growth Performance of Broilers

Effects of replacing maize with ground bajra and wheat, cooked bajra and wheat and reconstituted bajra and wheat at different levels were assessed on the growth performance of broilers. Four hundred eighty four, day old broiler chicks were offered the starter rations from 0–4 weeks of age and fmisher rations from 4–6 weeks of age. Ration containing 57 percent maize was used as control (J;) during starter phase while 68 percent maize was used during finisher phase. Maize was replaced at 50 and 100% levels. Cooking and reconstitution improved (P<0.05) the body weight gain over those of ground bajra and control diets. Feed intake in diets having cooked wheat, cooked and reconstituted bajra was higher than those of ground wheat and bajra, respectively and also than control, except in TIO (50% reconstituted bajra) was less than control diet. Feed intake in treatment diets having cooked bajra at either of the levels was higher (P < 0.05) compared to other dietary treatments. Feed conversion ration (FCR) was maximum for diets having cooked bajra grains and was minimum for diets having reconstituted bajra grains. FCR was not significantly affected by grinding, cooking and reconstitution, however, lower FCR value was obtained with TIO (50% reconstituted bajra). It was concluded that feed intake and body weight gain were higher on diets having cooked wheat, cooked and reconstituted bajra than those having maize, ground wheat and bajra. Feeding of diets having reconstituted bajra lowered the FCR value from 2.28 to 2.03.