Two digestibility trials were carried out, to study the nutritional value of four types of pearl millet (BN2, Comum, Iapar and Iapar-Repasse), grounded through 3, 2, and 1 mm screen. The digestibility coefficient (DC) of gross energy (GEDC) and gross energy metabolization coefficient (GEMC) relative to 3 mm screen were: 63.09 and 61.20% (Comum); 71.57 and 69.66% (Iapar) and 67.39 and 65.60% (BN2). The GEDC and GEMC of COMUM were lower than IAPAR and both were similar to BN2. The IAPAR-REPASSE showed GEDC (70.62%) and GEMC (68.49%) similar to the Iapar. The Iapar- 1 mm (84.61 and 81.41%) showed higher GEDC and GEMC than Iapar-3 mm (70.59 e 68.71%) and Iapar-2 mm (77.73 e 75.46%). The values of digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) for the Iapar (3 mm) were 3,030 kcal/kg and 3,001 kcal/kg, respectively. The IAPAR (2 and 1 mm) showed DE of 3,083 and 3,355kcal/kg and ME of 2,993 and 3,228 kcal/kg. The Iapar-Repasse showed the values of: 2,849 kcal/kg (DE) and 2,763 kcal/kg (ME). The COMUM (3 and 2 mm) showed values of: 2,574 and 3,022 kcal/kg (DE) and 2,497 and 2,932 kcal/kg (ME). The BN2 (3 and 2 mm) showed values of: 2,692 and 3,047 kcal/kg (DE); 2,620 and 2,966 kcal/kg (ME). The different pearl millets showed variations in chemical composition. The differences result in variations on nutritional values. The Iapar pearl millet, showed the best values, followed by BN2 and Comum.
alternative feeds; digestible nutrients; granulometry
