Nutritional Value of Proso Millets, Sorghum Grains, and Corn in Turkey Starter Diets ,

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.