Nutrient Composition and Feeding Value of Proso Millets, Sorghum Grains, and Corn in Broiler Diets ,

Seven cultivars of proso millet contained higher amounts of protein and ash than sorghum grains or corn. These millets were similar or slightly higher in fat than corn, much higher in fat than sorghum (milo), and similar to sorghum in calcium and phosphorus contents. All grains contained tannin except corn. On the average, proso millets contained more fiber and gross energy (GE) than corn and sorghum. Millets were similar to sorghum but lower than corn in true metabolizable energy (TME ) and were lower in gross energy metabolized (TME/GE) than corn and sorghum. Protein of proso millets contained higher levels of isoleucine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan than corn and milo proteins. However, millet proteins contained lower levels of arginine, glycine, histidine, lysine, and threonine than corn and milo proteins. Three trials with broiler chicks were conducted to determine the feeding value of proso millets, sorghum grains, and corn. All diets were made isocaloric and isonitrogenous by adjusting the levels of soybean meal, glucose (Cerelose), and cellulose (Solka Floe) in each trial. When the millets, sorghum grains, and corn were fed at nearly the same level in broiler diets which contained suboptimal protein (15%), the millet and BR-65 sorghum diets with no amino acid supplementation significantly depressed body weight gain and feed efficiency at 4 weeks of age. Methionine and lysine supplementation of these diets resulted in significant improvements in body weight gain and feed efficiency, with chicks fed millet and BR-65 sorghum diets showing the greatest improvements. When the “Dawn” (D) cultivar of millet was compared to commercial milo and yellow corn on an equal weight or a protein equivalent basis in broiler diets with adequate protein (22.5%), there were no significant differences in body weight gain or feed efficiency. Therefore, the nutrient composition and subsequent feeding value of proso millets in broiler diets were quite favorable.