Feeding value of amaranthus grain and its supplementation on the performance of broiler

Four hundred day old broiler chicks were randomly distributed into two groups consisting of ten replicates of twenty chicks in each. First group served as control (T₁) on normal feed without any additional supplementation and the second group (T₂) was supplemented additionally with amaranthus grain at the rate of 10 per cent of normal feed. Amaranthus grain contains 16.18% crude protein, 0.68% ether extract, 76.63% nitrogen free extract, 2.67% crude fibre, 0.75% calcium and 0.20% phosphorus. The body weight gain at 6^th week was significantly (P>0.05) higher in T₂ group (1793 g) compared to T₁ group (1676 g). Feed consumption at 6^th week was non-significantly lower in birds of T₁ group (3452 g) compared to T₂ group (3507 g). Feed efficiency at 6^th week was significantly (P>0.05) improved in T₂ group (1.96) over T₁ group (2.06). Metabolizability of nutrients in broilers fed with amaranthus grain was dry matter 68.33, organic matter 70.55, ether extract 65.24, soluble carbohydrate 80.91 and crude fibre 25.05 per cent. The retention of protein, calcium and phosphorous in broilers fed with amaranthus grain was 14.51, 1.08 and 0.35 g/day respectively. Amaranthus grain contains 3460 kcal gross energy and 2440 kcal metabolizable energy per kg. Supplementation of amaranthus grain has improved the metabolizability and retention of nutrients, body weight gain and feed efficiency. Hence the amaranthus grain can very well be incorpoted in the broiler ration without any deleterious effects.