Effect of Plane of Nutrition from Starting to and Through the Breeder Period on Reproductive Performance of Hen Turkeys

Abstract

Large - type breeder hens were given high (HP) and low (LP) planes of nutrition from day of age to 31 weeks of age. Rearing treatments were then divided, and each was fed HP and LP breeder feeds to 57 weeks. Protein and metabolizable energy (ME) levels of the HP feeds approximated NRC (1977) recommendations, while LP feeds largely involved substitution of corn, fat, and soybean meal for wheat, barley, and oats, such that ME/protein ratio and relative content of essential amino acids were similar between treatments, respective of age.The LP rearing regimen led to reduced hen body weight at 31 weeks. Combining the LP rearing with LP breeder regimen resulted in continuously lighter weights than occurred with the other three treatments to 57 weeks. Carcass fat based on finish grade of sample hens was lower after LP than HP rearing at both 31 and 57 weeks, while the breeder treatments were without effect. Experimental variables neither influenced egg production nor egg weight, but a reduction in the proportion of yolk occurred that was attributable to LP rearing and to a lesser extent the LP breeder feed. Apparent fertility improved with hens that had been LP reared, while feeding the LP breeder led to reduced pip losses, but only if eggs were set within 7 days of being laid. The converse occurred with eggs set after 7 days storage.