209
4 Discussion
4.1 Comparative Nutrient Composition of Pearl Millet
and Maize
Results on nutrient composition of maize, pearl millet, and soybean meal used in
this experiment fall within ranges reported in literature. For example, McDonald
et al. (2011) reported that crude protein contents of maize and pearl millet were
9.8% and 12.1%, respectively. In this study, the crude protein content of maize was
9.38%, while that of pearl millet was 13.13%, which was higher than that reported
by McDonald et al. (2011). However, Baurhoo et al. (2011a) reported a crude protein content of 14.48% for Canadian pearl millet which is higher than the crude
protein content reported in this study. These differences could be attributed to the
variety of millet used as a function of genetic differences. Energy content of pearl
millet was also higher than that of maize. More interesting is the observation that
the crude protein of pearl millet is higher than that of maize. This implies that apart
from being a source of energy, pearl millet can contribute more to the dietary crude
protein than maize. These results are in tandem with those reported in other studies
where pearl millet was reported to contain higher amounts of crude protein and
energy than maize (Saleh et al. 2013; Davis et al. 2003). The higher amount of
energy in pearl millet than maize could be attributed to the higher fat content
observed where pearl millet had 7.31% ether extract compared to 7.1% for maize.
With these attributes on nutrient composition, some have argued that pearl millet
can totally replace maize in broiler diets (Rao et al. 2004).
However, one limitation of using pearl millet could be its high crude fiber content
which was higher than that of maize. This high crude fiber content may have negatively contributed to the low digestibility of the diet which had millet as the sole
energy source, as reported in other studies (McDonald et al. 2011; Davis et al.
2003). On the other hand, Baurhoo et al. (2011b) reported no differences in apparent
ileal digestibility of broilers fed maize versus pearl millet-based diets. These differences could be attributed to varieties used or how the grains were processed.
4.2 Effects of Different Pearl Millet Inclusion Levels
on Growth Performance and Carcass Yields of Broilers
This study was about assessing the potential of including and using the local
pearl millet variety as an energy source feed ingredient in broiler diets to spare
maize for human consumption in Malawi. The results have shown that pearl
millet can successfully be included in broiler diets within the range of 10–20%
as percentage of the total diet, without negatively affecting growth and carcass
yields. Earlier studies have reported inconsistent results. For example, Hidalgo
et al. (2004) reported that pearl millet could be included at lower levels of
In Search of Climate-Smart Feeds: The Potential of Pearl Millet
4 Discussion
4.1 Comparative Nutrient Composition of Pearl Millet
and Maize
Results on nutrient composition of maize, pearl millet, and soybean meal used in
this experiment fall within ranges reported in literature. For example, McDonald
et al. (2011) reported that crude protein contents of maize and pearl millet were
9.8% and 12.1%, respectively. In this study, the crude protein content of maize was
9.38%, while that of pearl millet was 13.13%, which was higher than that reported
by McDonald et al. (2011). However, Baurhoo et al. (2011a) reported a crude protein content of 14.48% for Canadian pearl millet which is higher than the crude
protein content reported in this study. These differences could be attributed to the
variety of millet used as a function of genetic differences. Energy content of pearl
millet was also higher than that of maize. More interesting is the observation that
the crude protein of pearl millet is higher than that of maize. This implies that apart
from being a source of energy, pearl millet can contribute more to the dietary crude
protein than maize. These results are in tandem with those reported in other studies
where pearl millet was reported to contain higher amounts of crude protein and
energy than maize (Saleh et al. 2013; Davis et al. 2003). The higher amount of
energy in pearl millet than maize could be attributed to the higher fat content
observed where pearl millet had 7.31% ether extract compared to 7.1% for maize.
With these attributes on nutrient composition, some have argued that pearl millet
can totally replace maize in broiler diets (Rao et al. 2004).
However, one limitation of using pearl millet could be its high crude fiber content
which was higher than that of maize. This high crude fiber content may have negatively contributed to the low digestibility of the diet which had millet as the sole
energy source, as reported in other studies (McDonald et al. 2011; Davis et al.
2003). On the other hand, Baurhoo et al. (2011b) reported no differences in apparent
ileal digestibility of broilers fed maize versus pearl millet-based diets. These differences could be attributed to varieties used or how the grains were processed.
4.2 Effects of Different Pearl Millet Inclusion Levels
on Growth Performance and Carcass Yields of Broilers
This study was about assessing the potential of including and using the local
pearl millet variety as an energy source feed ingredient in broiler diets to spare
maize for human consumption in Malawi. The results have shown that pearl
millet can successfully be included in broiler diets within the range of 10–20%
as percentage of the total diet, without negatively affecting growth and carcass
yields. Earlier studies have reported inconsistent results. For example, Hidalgo
et al. (2004) reported that pearl millet could be included at lower levels of
In Search of Climate-Smart Feeds: The Potential of Pearl Millet