This experiment was conducted to evaluate the blood metabolites response of broiler chickens fed different millet variety-based diets as alternative feed option in broiler diets. Four experimental diets were formulated such that the diets contained pearl millet (T2), Finger millet (T3, Douro millet (T4) and the control diet (T1) contained maize. The diets were fed to Four hundred and eighty (480) Anak 2000 strain day old broiler chicks in a 56 days feeding trial. The diets were randomly assigned to four groups of 120 birds in a completely Randomized Experimental Research Design (CRD) replicated 3 times with 40 birds per replicate. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The results obtained showed no significant differences (p<0.05) in all the parameters measured on haematological parameters. The serum biochemical indices showed that total protein (22.67-34.00), albumin (9.67-15.00), urea (0.23-0.96), creatinine (21.33-35.00), cholesterol (1.70-2.38) were significantly (p>0.05) affected by the experimental diets. Althogh, the values for glucose (9.56-9.86) and bilirubin (7.5-9.43) were statistically similar. It was concluded that Dauro and finger millet varieties can favorably replace maize in broiler diets without adverse effects on blood haematology and biochemistry of broiler chickens and thus, will help reduce the cost of broiler production especially for farmers in the millet production areas.
Keywords: Metabolites, broilers, millet based diets
