Effect of Dietary Lactose on the Productive Performance of Young Turkeys

Abstract

Studies were conducted to assess the performance of turkeys fed diets containing lactose. Study 1 consisted of 96, mixed-sex turkey poults that were housed in battery cages and fed diets containing 0 (8% cornstarch), 0.5, 1, 2, 4, or 8% lactose from 0 to 6 wk. Study 2 used 360, mixed-sex turkey poults that were raised in floor pens and fed a commercial diet and diets containing 0 (4% starch), 0.5, 1, 2, or 4% lactose from 0 to 6 wk. Diets and water were offered ad libitum throughout both trials. The objectives were 1) to determine the effect of lactose on turkey performance and 2) to establish the optimum level for lactose inclusion in diets. In Study 1, feed intake, BW, fecal ammonia and nitrogen, and feed efficiency were determined. Diet composition, BW, feed intake, total body and carcass composition, cecal pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA) and lactic acid were measured in Study 2. Turkeys consuming the 4% lactose diet gained the most weight (P < 0.01) compared with other treatments in Study 1, and lactose improved feed efficiency. In Study 2, all lactose diets resulted in heavier BW (P < 0.05) compared with the commercial diet. Turkeys consuming diets with 0.5, 1, 2 or 4% lactose had less total body fat compared with turkeys consuming a commercial or 0% lactose diet (P < 0.05).