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Nutritional Value of Proso Millets, Sorghum Grains, and Corn in Turkey Starter Diets1,2
Nutritional Value of Proso Millets, Sorghum Grains, and Corn in Turkey Starter Diets1'2 E. S. LUIS3 and T. W. SULLIVAN Department of Animal Science, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583 L. A. NELSON Department of Agronomy, Panhandle Station, Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69631 (Received for publication February 23, 1981) ABSTRACT One cultivar of proso millet (Dawn) and three cultivars of grain sorghum (commercial milo, RS 626, and high lysine) were compared on a protein equivalent basis with or without methionine supplementation in turkey starter diets containing a suboptimal protein level (18%). Poults fed millet D with no methionine supplementation showed significant depressions in body weight gain but not in feed efficiency. Body weight gains of poults fed the commercial milo diet were numerically greater than gains of poults fed RS 626 and high lysine sorghum when methionine was omitted. Methionine supplementation increased gains and improved feed efficiency of poults receiving all sorghum grains. When millet D was compared to corn or commercial milo on an equal weight or a protein equivalent basis in turkey starter diets containing optimal protein (28%) and with adequate supplemental methionine, there were no significant differences among grains relative to body weight gain and feed efficiency. Two proso millet cultivars, Cerise and Dawn, four sorghum cultivars (commercial milo, AR 64, 9040, and CK 60), and yellow corn were compared in turkey starter diets containing adequate protein (28%) with supplemental methionine and lysine to meet National Research Council requirements. Poults fed the millet diets were significantly heavier than poults fed corn or sorghum diets at 28 days of age under these conditions. (Key words: millet, sorghum grain (milo), nutritive value, starting turkeys) 1982 Poultry Science61:321-326
INTRODUCTION Luis et al. (1982) have recently reviewed, determined, and reported the nutrient composition of proso millets (Panicum miliaceum) in comparison to other feed grains, namely yellow corn (Zea mays) and grain sorghum or milo (Sorghum bicolor). These workers have also reported the feeding value of proso millets and sorghum grains in broiler diets. Very few, if any, studies have been reported concerning the nutritional or feeding value of proso millets in turkey diets.
'Published as paper number 6522, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station. 2 From a dissertation submitted by the senior author in partial fulfillment of requirements for the Ph.D. degree. 3 Present address: Department of Animal Science, University of the Philippines at Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines.
Feeding values and comparisons of other grains including corn, milo, barley (Hordeum vulgare), and wheat (Triticum aestivum) in turkey diets have been reported. In young turkeys, Potter et al. (1971) studied the relationship of various cereal grains to body weight and feed efficiency. They found that from day-old to 8 weeks of age, wheat was slightly superior to either corn, milo, or barley. Milo was superior to either of the other grains with birds 8 to 18 weeks of age. They reported relative feeding values of the four grains as follows: corn, 100.0; milo, 97.9; wheat, 94.3; and barley, 86.5%. Similar feeding values relative to corn had been previously reported for wheat (Harper, 1966; Potter, 1965) and for milo (Potter, 1965). Atkinson et al. (1975) fed practical-type starter diets with either milo, wheat, or corn as a single grain source to young poults from dayold to 8 weeks of age. They reported small or no differences between corn and milo in either body weight, feed efficiency, or percent mortal-
321
LUIS ET AL.
322
ity. Wheat was shown to be superior to either corn or milo with regard to all three of these performance parameters. Atkinson et al. (1975) also indicated that wheat may be superior to either corn or milo for early poult growth and feed efficiency (0 to 8 weeks). The work presented in this paper was designed to determine the feeding value of proso millet and sorghum grains in the diets for starting turkeys.
MATERIALS AND METHODS Two cultivars of proso millet, "Cerise" (C) and "Dawn" (D) and five cultivars of grain sorghum (milo) obtained from the Department of Agronomy, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, plus commercial milo and yellow corn, were evaluated. Cultural practices under which these grain samples were grown plus their proximate analysis, tannic acid content, acid detergent fiber content, true metabolizable energy values, and amino acid profiles have been reported previously (Luis et al., 1982). Three experiments were conducted to determine the feeding value of the proso millets, sorghum grains, and yeiiow corn in diets for starting turkeys. Day-old, Large White (LW) Nicholas strain poults were used in all three experiments. Poults were randomly distributed to treatments, wingbanded, weighed, and placed in electrically heated battery brooders with raised wire floors. Six poults consisting of 3 males and 3 females were initially placed in each brooder pen. Each treatment was replicated four times in Experiment 1 and six times in Experiments 2 and 3. Feed and water were provided ad libitum during the entire feeding period. Duration of these feeding trials was 3 weeks in Experiment 1 and 4 weeks in Experiments 2 and 3. Experiment 1. The Dawn (D) variety of proso millet was compared in Experiment 1 with three sorghum grains (commercial milo, RS 626, and high lysine sorghum) in turkey starter diets containing a suboptimal protein level (18%). Comparisons among the grains were made on a protein equivalent basis in the presence or absence of supplementary methionine (Table 1). Experiment 2. Proso millet D was compared in Experiment 2 with corn and a commercial milo in turkey starter diets containing an adequate (28%) protein level (Table 2). Comparisons of millet D with corn and milo were
made on an equal weight basis with or without adjusting the level of soybean meal in the diets (diets 3 and 4) and on a protein equivalent basis (diet 5). Experiment 3. Two proso millets, Cerise and Dawn, were compared in Experiment 3 with yellow corn and four sorghum grains, commercial milo, AR 64, 9040, and CK 60 in diets containing an adequate protein level (28%) with supplemental lysine and methionine to meet NRC (1977) minimum requirements (Table 3). Millet comparisons were made on an equal weight (diets 6 and 7) and on a protein equivalent basis (diets 8 and 9). Diets within each experiment were formulated to be nearly isocaloric and isonitrogenous except diet 4 of Experiment 2, which had a higher total protein content than the other diets in this trial. All poults were weighed in replicate groups of 6 initially, and then individually at 2 and 4 weeks of age in Experiments 2 and 3, and at 3 weeks of age in Experiment 1. Feed consumption of each experimental pen was determined and recorded at each weighing time or interval. Mortality was checked daily and recorded as it occurred. Analysis of variance with a randomized complete block design (SAS, 1970) was used to statistically analyze the final body weight and feed efficiency data from each trial. Individual treatment differences were tested by Duncan's new multiple range test (Steel and Torrie, 1960).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Experiment 1. The comparisons of millet D with three sorghum grains (commercial milo, RS 626, and high lysine) on a protein equivalent basis with or without methionine supplementation in turkey starter diets containing an inadequate protein level (18%) are presented in Table 1. With no methionine supplementation, proso millet D (diet 7) significantly depressed 3-week body weight gain, but not feed efficiency, compared to milo or sorghum diets. Methionine supplementation of the millet D diet numerically improved body weight gain (26 g) and feed efficiency of poults as compared to its unsupplemented counterpart. This improvement brought the 3-week body weight of poults fed millet D to a level similar to those of poults fed the unsupplemented sorghum diets. However, the weight gain of this treat-
ab
2.02
25obcd
61
2902 18.0 .98 .53
100.0
61 279ab 1.97*b
2902 18.0 .98 .66
2.94 1.18 .40 .96 .15 100.0
25
25
2.94 1.18 .40 .96
69.37
69.52
60 230 d 2.20 b
2900 18.3 1.00 .54
100.0
.96
25 1.98 2.94 1.18 .40
67.54
61 292 a 2.03ab
2900 18.3 1.00 .67
25 1.83 2.94 1.18 .40 .96 .15 100.0
67.54
Diet
61 237cd 2.04
2892 18.2 .99 .54
100.0
25 16.12 2.94 1.18 .40 .96
53.40
Premix furnished the following per kilogram of diet: 8,800 IU stabilized retinol; 2,200 ICU vitamin D 3 ; 8.8 IU flavin; 14 mg Ca-pantothenate, 70 mg niacin; .52 mg folacin; .20 mg d-biotin; 14 Mg vitamin B 12 ; 880 mg cholinecopper; .6 mg cobalt; 1.8 mg iodine; and .2 mg selenium.
1
' ' ' ' Each value is the average of four replicates with 6 poults (3 males and 3 females) per replicate. Values f by the same letter are not significantly different (P<.05).
Large White poult data Body weight, day-old, g Body weight, 3 weeks, g Feed/gain, 0—3 weeks
Calculated composition Metabolizable energy, kcal/kg Crude protein, % Lysine, % Methionine and cystine, %
Comm. milo RS 626 sorghum High lys. sorghum Millet D Soybean meal (47%) Glucose (Cerelose) Dicalcium phosphate Ground limestone Salt (NaCl) Premix' Hydan (85% L-methionine) Total
Ingredients, %
TABLE 1. Composition of diets and effect of different grains on 3-week body weight and feed e (Experiment 1)
324
LUIS ET AL.
ment group remained significantly less than the gains of poults fed the supplemented sorghum diets. These results indicate the millet D was deficient in amino acids other than methionine. Luis et al. (1982) reported that the proteins of proso millets C, D, and P contained lower levels of arginine, glycine, histidine, lysine, and threonine than corn and milo proteins. Methionine supplementation of sorghum diets similarly improved body weight and feed efficiency. However, a significant improvement in body weight gain was noted only with sorghum variety RS 626. The high-lysine sorghum showed no decided advantage over the other sorghum varieties either in the presence or absence of methionine supplementation. The results of Experiment 1 clearly indicate that millet D was inferior to sorghum grains in supporting body weight gain of start-
ing turkeys when diets contained a suboptimal protein level (18%) with or without methionine supplementation. The unsupplemented millet and sorghum diets were equally marginal in methionine content as evidenced by improvements in body weight and feed efficiency with added methionine. Experiment 2. Data from this trial are presented in Table 2. Millet D produced no significant differences in 4-week body weight and feed efficiency of starting poults when compared to yellow corn on an equal weight or on a protein equivalent basis in diets containing adequate levels of protein (28%). A similar comparison with commercial milo showed that millet D gave statistically the same 4-week body weight but significantly (P<.05) better feed efficiency. A weight for weight replacement of yellow corn or milo with millet D and with no
TABLE 2. Composition of diets and effect of different grains on 4-week body weight and feed efficiency of Large White turkeys (Experiment 2) Diet Ingredients, % Yellow corn Comm. milo Millet D Soybean meal (47%) Fish meal (60%) Dehydrated alfalfa (17%) Glucose (Cerelose) Animal fat Dicalcium phosphate Ground limestone Salt (NaCl) Premix1 Hydan (85% L-methionine) Total Calculated composition Metabolizable energy, kcal/kg Crude protein, % Lysine, % Methionine and cystine, % Large White poult data Body weight, day-old, g Body weight, 4 weeks, g Feed/gain, 0—4 weeks
1
2
4
3
5
44.06 44.07 44 5 2.5
44 5 2.5
44 38 5 2.5
44.08 44 5 2.5
5.94
27 44 5 2.5
12.07 5.0
2.19 1.14
2.18 1.14
2.27 1.13
2.26 1.10
2.27 1.10
.30 .76 .05
.30 .76 .05
.30 .76 .10
.30 .76
.30 .76
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
2782 28.0 1.81
2740 28.1 1.79
2760 28.0 1.59
2700 30.8 1.79
2940 28.2 1.75
.94
.91
.87
.86
.81
57 748ab
1.67
58
a
751ab 1.76 b
58
791 a 1.64a
57
716 b 1.77b
58 744ab
1.67a
ab ' Each value is the average of six replicates with 6 poults (3 males and 3 females) per replicate. Values for either body weight or feed/gain which are followed by the same letter are not significantly different (P<.05). 1 Premix furnished the following per kilogram of diet: 6,600 W stabilized retinol; 1,650 ICU vitamin D 3 ; 6.6 IU vitamin E; 2.6 mg menadione Na bisulfite; 5.2 mg riboflavin; 10.5 mg Ca pantothenate; 52.5 mg niacin; .40 mg folacin;.15 mg d-biotin; 10.5 ,ug vitamin B 1 2 ; 660 mg choline-CI; 60 mg iron;60 mg manganese; 60 mg zinc; 6 mg copper; 6 mg cobalt; 1.8 mg iodine; and .2 mg selenium.
'' 2 See footnotes for Table 2.
Large White poult data 2 Body weight, day-old, g Body weight, 4-weeks, g Feed/gain, 0—4 weeks, g
Calculated composition Metabolizable energy, kcal/kg Crude protein, % Lysine, % Methionine and cystine, %
Yellow corn Comm. milo AR 64 sorghum 9040 sorghum CK 60 sorghum Millet C Millet D Soybean meal (47%) Fish meal (60%) Dehydrated alfalfa (17%) Glucose (Cerelose) Dicalcium phosphate Ground limestone Salt (NaCl) Premix 1 Hydan (85% L-methionine) L-lysine-HCl (98%) Cellulose (Solka Floe) Total
Ingredients, %
167abc
763 b
63
2780 28.0 1.81 1.02
100.0
766° ! 7 1 abc
63
2740 28.0 1.79 1.02
100.0
.30 .76 .19
.30 .76 .15
736° 1.75 c
62
2740 28.0 1.79 1.02
100.0
.30 .76 .19
2.19 1.15
5 2.5
2.19 1.15
43.91
5 2.5
44
3
43.91
44
2
2.21 1.15
44 5 2.5
43.93
1
751b 1.74 bc
62
2740 28.0 1.79 1.02
749b 1.76c
62
2740 28.0 1.79 1.02
100.0
.30 .76 .19
.30 .76 .19
100.0
2.19 1.15
5 2.5
43.91
44
5
Diet
2.19 1.15
5 2.5
43.91
44
4
1
8
27
TABLE 3. Composition of diets and effects of different grains on 4-week body weight and feed (Experiment 3)
326
LUIS ET AL.
supplemental methionine (diet 4) resulted in a depression in body weight and significant decrease in feed efficiency. The results of Experiment 2 indicate that with an adequate protein level in the diet, millet D was comparable to corn and milo in supporting 4-week body weight gain of starting poults; millet D was also comparable to corn but significantly better than milo in enhancing feed efficiency. Moreover, millet protein could partially replace soybean meal protein in the diet without adversely affecting poult performance (diet 5). The depressed performance of poults fed diet 4 (Table 2) could possibly be attributed to both a methionine deficiency and an amino acid imbalance. It is also possible that the body weight depression of poults receiving diet 4 was due to lower feed intake caused by the bulkiness of the ground millet and soybean meal, each of which composed 44% of this diet. Diet 4 also had the lowest ME value (2700 kcal/kg) of all treatments in this experiment. Experiment 3. Results of Experiment 3 are presented in Table 3. Proso millets C and D supported significantly greater 4-week body weights than corn or sorghum, either on an equal weight or on a protein equivalent basis. Diets in this experiment contained adequate protein (28%) with supplemental lysine and methionine to meet minimum requirements. Millet C supported slightly but consistently heavier body weights than millet D. High tannin sorghum (AR 64) gave the lowest, but not significantly lower, body weight of the sorghum grains. Corn and the four sorghum grains supported similar 4-week body weight gains and feed efficiencies which agrees with the observations of Atkinson et al. (1975). They reported little or no difference between corn and milo in supporting body weight gain and feed efficiency of starting turkeys. Feed efficiency values of poults receiving millet diets were similar to those of poults receiving corn diets, but consistently lower, though not significantly so, in all cases than sorghum-fed birds. Poults fed diet 7 (millet D)
had significantly better feed efficiency than those fed sorghum diets 3, 4, and 5. Similarly, millet diet 8 gave significantly better feed efficiency than sorghum diets 3 and 5. These results suggest that under the conditions of this trial (Experiment 3), millets C and D were superior to corn and sorghum grains in supporting body weight gain and comparable to corn for enhancing feed efficiency of starting turkeys. The results also confirm the observation in Experiment 2 that millet protein could partially replace soybean meal protein without adversely affecting poult performance. Data from all three feeding trials have clearly shown that proso millet is an excellent ingredient for turkey starter diets. However, it should be mentioned that ground millet and soybean meal diets containing moderate levels (2 to 5%) of dehydrated alfalfa and no added fat might be bulky enough to limit feed intake of poults. REFERENCES Atkinson, R. L., J. W. Bradley, and W. F. Kruerger, 1975. Wheat, milo and corn as ingredients in feeds for young turkeys. Nutr. Rep. Int. 11(4): 345-349. Harper, J. A., 1966. Uses of wheat in turkey rations. Feedstuffs38(9):66-67. Luis, E. S., T. W. Sullivan, and L. A. Nelson, 1982. Nutrient composition and feeding value of proso millets, sorghum grains, and corn in broiler diets. Poultry Sci. 61:311-320. National Research Council Committee on Animal Nutrition, 1977. Nutrient requirements of domestic animals. No. 1. Nutrient requirements of poultry. 7th rev. ed. Nat. Acad. Sci., Nat. Res. Counc, Washington, DC. Potter, L. M„ 1965. Recent developments in turkey nutrition. Pages 12—16 in Proc. 1965 Maryland Nutr. Conf. Potter, L. M„ A. T. Leighton, Jr., and C. H. Howes, 1971. The effects of fish meal, methionine and different cereal grains in diets for young turkeys. Poultry Sci. 50:1100-1108. Statistical Analysis System, 1970. SAS user's guide. SAS Institute, Inc., Raleigh, NC. Steel, R.G.D., and J. H. Torrie, 1960. Principles and procedures of statistics. McGraw-Hill, New York, NY.
INTRODUCTION Luis et al. (1982) have recently reviewed, determined, and reported the nutrient composition of proso millets (Panicum miliaceum) in comparison to other feed grains, namely yellow corn (Zea mays) and grain sorghum or milo (Sorghum bicolor). These workers have also reported the feeding value of proso millets and sorghum grains in broiler diets. Very few, if any, studies have been reported concerning the nutritional or feeding value of proso millets in turkey diets.
'Published as paper number 6522, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station. 2 From a dissertation submitted by the senior author in partial fulfillment of requirements for the Ph.D. degree. 3 Present address: Department of Animal Science, University of the Philippines at Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines.
Feeding values and comparisons of other grains including corn, milo, barley (Hordeum vulgare), and wheat (Triticum aestivum) in turkey diets have been reported. In young turkeys, Potter et al. (1971) studied the relationship of various cereal grains to body weight and feed efficiency. They found that from day-old to 8 weeks of age, wheat was slightly superior to either corn, milo, or barley. Milo was superior to either of the other grains with birds 8 to 18 weeks of age. They reported relative feeding values of the four grains as follows: corn, 100.0; milo, 97.9; wheat, 94.3; and barley, 86.5%. Similar feeding values relative to corn had been previously reported for wheat (Harper, 1966; Potter, 1965) and for milo (Potter, 1965). Atkinson et al. (1975) fed practical-type starter diets with either milo, wheat, or corn as a single grain source to young poults from dayold to 8 weeks of age. They reported small or no differences between corn and milo in either body weight, feed efficiency, or percent mortal-
321
LUIS ET AL.
322
ity. Wheat was shown to be superior to either corn or milo with regard to all three of these performance parameters. Atkinson et al. (1975) also indicated that wheat may be superior to either corn or milo for early poult growth and feed efficiency (0 to 8 weeks). The work presented in this paper was designed to determine the feeding value of proso millet and sorghum grains in the diets for starting turkeys.
MATERIALS AND METHODS Two cultivars of proso millet, "Cerise" (C) and "Dawn" (D) and five cultivars of grain sorghum (milo) obtained from the Department of Agronomy, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, plus commercial milo and yellow corn, were evaluated. Cultural practices under which these grain samples were grown plus their proximate analysis, tannic acid content, acid detergent fiber content, true metabolizable energy values, and amino acid profiles have been reported previously (Luis et al., 1982). Three experiments were conducted to determine the feeding value of the proso millets, sorghum grains, and yeiiow corn in diets for starting turkeys. Day-old, Large White (LW) Nicholas strain poults were used in all three experiments. Poults were randomly distributed to treatments, wingbanded, weighed, and placed in electrically heated battery brooders with raised wire floors. Six poults consisting of 3 males and 3 females were initially placed in each brooder pen. Each treatment was replicated four times in Experiment 1 and six times in Experiments 2 and 3. Feed and water were provided ad libitum during the entire feeding period. Duration of these feeding trials was 3 weeks in Experiment 1 and 4 weeks in Experiments 2 and 3. Experiment 1. The Dawn (D) variety of proso millet was compared in Experiment 1 with three sorghum grains (commercial milo, RS 626, and high lysine sorghum) in turkey starter diets containing a suboptimal protein level (18%). Comparisons among the grains were made on a protein equivalent basis in the presence or absence of supplementary methionine (Table 1). Experiment 2. Proso millet D was compared in Experiment 2 with corn and a commercial milo in turkey starter diets containing an adequate (28%) protein level (Table 2). Comparisons of millet D with corn and milo were
made on an equal weight basis with or without adjusting the level of soybean meal in the diets (diets 3 and 4) and on a protein equivalent basis (diet 5). Experiment 3. Two proso millets, Cerise and Dawn, were compared in Experiment 3 with yellow corn and four sorghum grains, commercial milo, AR 64, 9040, and CK 60 in diets containing an adequate protein level (28%) with supplemental lysine and methionine to meet NRC (1977) minimum requirements (Table 3). Millet comparisons were made on an equal weight (diets 6 and 7) and on a protein equivalent basis (diets 8 and 9). Diets within each experiment were formulated to be nearly isocaloric and isonitrogenous except diet 4 of Experiment 2, which had a higher total protein content than the other diets in this trial. All poults were weighed in replicate groups of 6 initially, and then individually at 2 and 4 weeks of age in Experiments 2 and 3, and at 3 weeks of age in Experiment 1. Feed consumption of each experimental pen was determined and recorded at each weighing time or interval. Mortality was checked daily and recorded as it occurred. Analysis of variance with a randomized complete block design (SAS, 1970) was used to statistically analyze the final body weight and feed efficiency data from each trial. Individual treatment differences were tested by Duncan's new multiple range test (Steel and Torrie, 1960).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Experiment 1. The comparisons of millet D with three sorghum grains (commercial milo, RS 626, and high lysine) on a protein equivalent basis with or without methionine supplementation in turkey starter diets containing an inadequate protein level (18%) are presented in Table 1. With no methionine supplementation, proso millet D (diet 7) significantly depressed 3-week body weight gain, but not feed efficiency, compared to milo or sorghum diets. Methionine supplementation of the millet D diet numerically improved body weight gain (26 g) and feed efficiency of poults as compared to its unsupplemented counterpart. This improvement brought the 3-week body weight of poults fed millet D to a level similar to those of poults fed the unsupplemented sorghum diets. However, the weight gain of this treat-
ab
2.02
25obcd
61
2902 18.0 .98 .53
100.0
61 279ab 1.97*b
2902 18.0 .98 .66
2.94 1.18 .40 .96 .15 100.0
25
25
2.94 1.18 .40 .96
69.37
69.52
60 230 d 2.20 b
2900 18.3 1.00 .54
100.0
.96
25 1.98 2.94 1.18 .40
67.54
61 292 a 2.03ab
2900 18.3 1.00 .67
25 1.83 2.94 1.18 .40 .96 .15 100.0
67.54
Diet
61 237cd 2.04
2892 18.2 .99 .54
100.0
25 16.12 2.94 1.18 .40 .96
53.40
Premix furnished the following per kilogram of diet: 8,800 IU stabilized retinol; 2,200 ICU vitamin D 3 ; 8.8 IU flavin; 14 mg Ca-pantothenate, 70 mg niacin; .52 mg folacin; .20 mg d-biotin; 14 Mg vitamin B 12 ; 880 mg cholinecopper; .6 mg cobalt; 1.8 mg iodine; and .2 mg selenium.
1
' ' ' ' Each value is the average of four replicates with 6 poults (3 males and 3 females) per replicate. Values f by the same letter are not significantly different (P<.05).
Large White poult data Body weight, day-old, g Body weight, 3 weeks, g Feed/gain, 0—3 weeks
Calculated composition Metabolizable energy, kcal/kg Crude protein, % Lysine, % Methionine and cystine, %
Comm. milo RS 626 sorghum High lys. sorghum Millet D Soybean meal (47%) Glucose (Cerelose) Dicalcium phosphate Ground limestone Salt (NaCl) Premix' Hydan (85% L-methionine) Total
Ingredients, %
TABLE 1. Composition of diets and effect of different grains on 3-week body weight and feed e (Experiment 1)
324
LUIS ET AL.
ment group remained significantly less than the gains of poults fed the supplemented sorghum diets. These results indicate the millet D was deficient in amino acids other than methionine. Luis et al. (1982) reported that the proteins of proso millets C, D, and P contained lower levels of arginine, glycine, histidine, lysine, and threonine than corn and milo proteins. Methionine supplementation of sorghum diets similarly improved body weight and feed efficiency. However, a significant improvement in body weight gain was noted only with sorghum variety RS 626. The high-lysine sorghum showed no decided advantage over the other sorghum varieties either in the presence or absence of methionine supplementation. The results of Experiment 1 clearly indicate that millet D was inferior to sorghum grains in supporting body weight gain of start-
ing turkeys when diets contained a suboptimal protein level (18%) with or without methionine supplementation. The unsupplemented millet and sorghum diets were equally marginal in methionine content as evidenced by improvements in body weight and feed efficiency with added methionine. Experiment 2. Data from this trial are presented in Table 2. Millet D produced no significant differences in 4-week body weight and feed efficiency of starting poults when compared to yellow corn on an equal weight or on a protein equivalent basis in diets containing adequate levels of protein (28%). A similar comparison with commercial milo showed that millet D gave statistically the same 4-week body weight but significantly (P<.05) better feed efficiency. A weight for weight replacement of yellow corn or milo with millet D and with no
TABLE 2. Composition of diets and effect of different grains on 4-week body weight and feed efficiency of Large White turkeys (Experiment 2) Diet Ingredients, % Yellow corn Comm. milo Millet D Soybean meal (47%) Fish meal (60%) Dehydrated alfalfa (17%) Glucose (Cerelose) Animal fat Dicalcium phosphate Ground limestone Salt (NaCl) Premix1 Hydan (85% L-methionine) Total Calculated composition Metabolizable energy, kcal/kg Crude protein, % Lysine, % Methionine and cystine, % Large White poult data Body weight, day-old, g Body weight, 4 weeks, g Feed/gain, 0—4 weeks
1
2
4
3
5
44.06 44.07 44 5 2.5
44 5 2.5
44 38 5 2.5
44.08 44 5 2.5
5.94
27 44 5 2.5
12.07 5.0
2.19 1.14
2.18 1.14
2.27 1.13
2.26 1.10
2.27 1.10
.30 .76 .05
.30 .76 .05
.30 .76 .10
.30 .76
.30 .76
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
2782 28.0 1.81
2740 28.1 1.79
2760 28.0 1.59
2700 30.8 1.79
2940 28.2 1.75
.94
.91
.87
.86
.81
57 748ab
1.67
58
a
751ab 1.76 b
58
791 a 1.64a
57
716 b 1.77b
58 744ab
1.67a
ab ' Each value is the average of six replicates with 6 poults (3 males and 3 females) per replicate. Values for either body weight or feed/gain which are followed by the same letter are not significantly different (P<.05). 1 Premix furnished the following per kilogram of diet: 6,600 W stabilized retinol; 1,650 ICU vitamin D 3 ; 6.6 IU vitamin E; 2.6 mg menadione Na bisulfite; 5.2 mg riboflavin; 10.5 mg Ca pantothenate; 52.5 mg niacin; .40 mg folacin;.15 mg d-biotin; 10.5 ,ug vitamin B 1 2 ; 660 mg choline-CI; 60 mg iron;60 mg manganese; 60 mg zinc; 6 mg copper; 6 mg cobalt; 1.8 mg iodine; and .2 mg selenium.
'' 2 See footnotes for Table 2.
Large White poult data 2 Body weight, day-old, g Body weight, 4-weeks, g Feed/gain, 0—4 weeks, g
Calculated composition Metabolizable energy, kcal/kg Crude protein, % Lysine, % Methionine and cystine, %
Yellow corn Comm. milo AR 64 sorghum 9040 sorghum CK 60 sorghum Millet C Millet D Soybean meal (47%) Fish meal (60%) Dehydrated alfalfa (17%) Glucose (Cerelose) Dicalcium phosphate Ground limestone Salt (NaCl) Premix 1 Hydan (85% L-methionine) L-lysine-HCl (98%) Cellulose (Solka Floe) Total
Ingredients, %
167abc
763 b
63
2780 28.0 1.81 1.02
100.0
766° ! 7 1 abc
63
2740 28.0 1.79 1.02
100.0
.30 .76 .19
.30 .76 .15
736° 1.75 c
62
2740 28.0 1.79 1.02
100.0
.30 .76 .19
2.19 1.15
5 2.5
2.19 1.15
43.91
5 2.5
44
3
43.91
44
2
2.21 1.15
44 5 2.5
43.93
1
751b 1.74 bc
62
2740 28.0 1.79 1.02
749b 1.76c
62
2740 28.0 1.79 1.02
100.0
.30 .76 .19
.30 .76 .19
100.0
2.19 1.15
5 2.5
43.91
44
5
Diet
2.19 1.15
5 2.5
43.91
44
4
1
8
27
TABLE 3. Composition of diets and effects of different grains on 4-week body weight and feed (Experiment 3)
326
LUIS ET AL.
supplemental methionine (diet 4) resulted in a depression in body weight and significant decrease in feed efficiency. The results of Experiment 2 indicate that with an adequate protein level in the diet, millet D was comparable to corn and milo in supporting 4-week body weight gain of starting poults; millet D was also comparable to corn but significantly better than milo in enhancing feed efficiency. Moreover, millet protein could partially replace soybean meal protein in the diet without adversely affecting poult performance (diet 5). The depressed performance of poults fed diet 4 (Table 2) could possibly be attributed to both a methionine deficiency and an amino acid imbalance. It is also possible that the body weight depression of poults receiving diet 4 was due to lower feed intake caused by the bulkiness of the ground millet and soybean meal, each of which composed 44% of this diet. Diet 4 also had the lowest ME value (2700 kcal/kg) of all treatments in this experiment. Experiment 3. Results of Experiment 3 are presented in Table 3. Proso millets C and D supported significantly greater 4-week body weights than corn or sorghum, either on an equal weight or on a protein equivalent basis. Diets in this experiment contained adequate protein (28%) with supplemental lysine and methionine to meet minimum requirements. Millet C supported slightly but consistently heavier body weights than millet D. High tannin sorghum (AR 64) gave the lowest, but not significantly lower, body weight of the sorghum grains. Corn and the four sorghum grains supported similar 4-week body weight gains and feed efficiencies which agrees with the observations of Atkinson et al. (1975). They reported little or no difference between corn and milo in supporting body weight gain and feed efficiency of starting turkeys. Feed efficiency values of poults receiving millet diets were similar to those of poults receiving corn diets, but consistently lower, though not significantly so, in all cases than sorghum-fed birds. Poults fed diet 7 (millet D)
had significantly better feed efficiency than those fed sorghum diets 3, 4, and 5. Similarly, millet diet 8 gave significantly better feed efficiency than sorghum diets 3 and 5. These results suggest that under the conditions of this trial (Experiment 3), millets C and D were superior to corn and sorghum grains in supporting body weight gain and comparable to corn for enhancing feed efficiency of starting turkeys. The results also confirm the observation in Experiment 2 that millet protein could partially replace soybean meal protein without adversely affecting poult performance. Data from all three feeding trials have clearly shown that proso millet is an excellent ingredient for turkey starter diets. However, it should be mentioned that ground millet and soybean meal diets containing moderate levels (2 to 5%) of dehydrated alfalfa and no added fat might be bulky enough to limit feed intake of poults. REFERENCES Atkinson, R. L., J. W. Bradley, and W. F. Kruerger, 1975. Wheat, milo and corn as ingredients in feeds for young turkeys. Nutr. Rep. Int. 11(4): 345-349. Harper, J. A., 1966. Uses of wheat in turkey rations. Feedstuffs38(9):66-67. Luis, E. S., T. W. Sullivan, and L. A. Nelson, 1982. Nutrient composition and feeding value of proso millets, sorghum grains, and corn in broiler diets. Poultry Sci. 61:311-320. National Research Council Committee on Animal Nutrition, 1977. Nutrient requirements of domestic animals. No. 1. Nutrient requirements of poultry. 7th rev. ed. Nat. Acad. Sci., Nat. Res. Counc, Washington, DC. Potter, L. M„ 1965. Recent developments in turkey nutrition. Pages 12—16 in Proc. 1965 Maryland Nutr. Conf. Potter, L. M„ A. T. Leighton, Jr., and C. H. Howes, 1971. The effects of fish meal, methionine and different cereal grains in diets for young turkeys. Poultry Sci. 50:1100-1108. Statistical Analysis System, 1970. SAS user's guide. SAS Institute, Inc., Raleigh, NC. Steel, R.G.D., and J. H. Torrie, 1960. Principles and procedures of statistics. McGraw-Hill, New York, NY.