ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to evaluate the nutrient composition, anti-nutrients the productive and economic performance of broiler chickens fed acha (Digitaria exilis) grains as a replacement for maize in diets T1, T2, T3, T4and T5at graded levels of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%, respectively. One hundred and fifty (150) Abor-Acre broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments of 30 chicks per treatment which was replicated three times with 10 chicks in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The proximate constitution of acha grain was 12.00% crude protein, 6.49% ether extracts, 8.57% crude fibre, 5.70% ash, 67.24% nitrogen free extracts and 3556.06 Kcal ME/kg. Acha grain contained ten essential amino acids: methionine (5.19), leucine (4.26 g/16gN), valine (4.11), phenylalanine (2.34), lysine (1.96), isoleucine (1.39), arginine (1.29), histidine (1.35) and tryptophan (0.98g/16gN) which was limiting; macro and micro elements; Ca, P, Na, K, Mn, Mg, S and Fe. Tannin (0.18 mg/bOg), phytate (1.03 mg/bOg), oxalate (0.90 mg/l0og) and cyanide (0.05 mg/bOg) were the anti-nutritional factors in acha grain. Birds on T5(100% maize substitution) had the highest live weight of 1101.55g/bird which was significantly (P<0.05) different to T1 — T4at starter phase and T4 (75% maize substitution) had significantly (P><0.05) highest live weight of 3023.33g/bird at the finisher phase. Apparent digestibility of crude protein and crude fibre improved significantly (P><0.05) with maize substitution. Dressing percent and carcass characteristics were not significantly (P>0.05) different but gizzard and proventriculus were significantly (P<0.05) heavier with maize substitution. Total protein, creatinin, urea nitrogen, cholesterol and alanine transaminase increased significantly (P><0.05) with maize substitution. The replacement of acha (Digitaria exilis) grains for maize in broiler diets increased feeding xiv cost significantly (P><0.05). Acha grain could substitute maize in broiler starter and finisher diet at 100% and 75%, respectively. >