Evaluation of roasted finger millet (Eleusine coracana) as a maize substitute in broiler diets: effects on nutrient intake, growth performance and economic efficiency

Abstract Poultry production plays a key role in improving household food security and income generation in Ethiopia; however, rising feed costs and limited maize availability constrain productivity. Despite the potential of finger millet as a locally available alternative cereal, limited empirical evidence exists on the use of roasted finger millet as a complete substitute for maize in broiler diets under Ethiopian production conditions. This study evaluated the effects of replacing maize with roasted finger millet ( Eleusine coracana ) on nutrient intake, growth performance, and economic efficiency of broiler chickens. A total of 240 day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were assigned to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design, with three replicate pens per treatment. Maize was replaced with roasted finger millet at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% on a weight basis for 42 days. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, and treatment means were separated using Tukey’s HSD test. Dry matter intake was not significantly affected ( P > 0.05) by dietary treatment during either the starter or finisher phase. However, crude protein and Metabolizable energy intake differed significantly ( P < 0.05) among treatments. Final body weight and total body weight gain increased with increasing levels of roasted finger millet replacement, with final body weight increasing from 1501 g in the control to 1619 g in the 100% replacement treatment. Feed conversion ratio improved significantly ( P < 0.05), from 2.96 in the control to 2.74 at 100% maize replacement. Mortality was not significantly affected by dietary treatment ( P > 0.05). Economic analysis showed that net income increased from 152.16 Birr/bird in the control to 167.71 Birr/bird at 100% maize replacement, while marginal rates of return indicated economic feasibility of roasted finger millet inclusion. These results demonstrate that roasted finger millet can completely replace maize in broiler diets without adverse effects on feed intake, growth performance, or survival, while offering potential economic benefits under the conditions of the study.