Influence of Foxtail Millet (Setaria Italica) on the Performance of Layers Reddy P. Sudhakara*, Assistant Professor, Narahari D. Department of Poultry Science, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai-600 607, India *Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary Science, Tirupati-517502 (A.P.) Online published on 29 December, 2011. Abstract Foxtail millet was incorporated in White Leghorn layers diet at graded levels of 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 per cent in the first experiment and at 0,33 and 65 per cent levels in second experiment by replacing the maize at 50 and 100 per cent on isonitrogenous and isocaloric basis. Both hen-day and hen-housed egg production percentages, egg weight, body weight, weight gain, fertility, hatchabiilty, albumen index, yolk index, Haugh-units and shell thickness were comparable between the dietary treatments. The foxtail millet in layer diets at 40 per cent and above levels increased feed intake significantly (P<0.01) and decreased feed efficiency. The intensity of yolk colour was inversely proportional to the level of foxtail millet in the diet; whereas, the relative economy expressed as income over feed cost was directly proportional to the dietary foxtail millet levels. Top |