An experiment was conductedto assess the influence of mixed enzyme preparation on utilization of bajra (pearl millet). Day-old broiler chicks (n=200) Were distributed into 30 groups of 6–7 each. Ten dietary treatments were formulated incorporating 0, 14,32,51 and 73.2% of whole bajra grain replacing 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of maize, respectively at fixed calorie-protein ratio with or without addition of mixed feed grade enzyme preparation containing amylase and non-starch polysaccharidases activity. The data of feed intake, live weight changes and FCE during 0–4 weeks or 0–6 weeks of age revealed that body weight gain was not affected statistically (p>0.01) upto 50% replacement of maize incorporating bajra. Feed in take and performance index remained similar in-groups receiving diets with upto 75% replacement of dietary maize. FCE did not alterat any level of replacement. Efficiency of metabolizable energy and protein utilization for gain remained similar upto 50% replacement of maize incorporating 32% bajra in mash. Moisture content of excreta decreased with graded levels of bajra in diets. Though enzyme supplementation in diet improved gain (3% in 25% and 5%in 50% replacement level) and feed conversion efficiency (6% in 50% and 6.7% in 25% replacement level) at 0–4 weeks of age, but did not alter the perfonnance statistically, and efficiency of protein or ME utilization. It could be concluded that whole bajra may be incorporated upto 32% (w/w) replacing 50% of maize in broiler diets (0–6 weeks of age) safely and supplementation of enzyme was found to be marginally beneficial in augmenting the nutritive value of bajra during early age.
Broiler chickens, mixed enzyme, growth, feed conversion efficiency, pearl millet, nutrient utilization
