Naked oats in grower and finisher diets for male chicken roasters and female turkey broilers

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate naked oats as a feedstuff for male chicken roaster and female turkey broilers. In exp. 1, grower and finisher roaster diets were formulated to contain 18, 36, 54, or 72% naked oats (Avena nuda L. 'Tibor'). The starter diet contained no naked oats. Two trials were conducted utilizing 1344 birds. Treatment diets were fed to four pens of roasters each, from 21 to 64 d of age. In exp. 2, grower and finisher turkey diets were formulated to contain 0, 22, 44, or 66% naked oats. The starter diet contained no naked oats. Two trials involving 964 birds were conducted. Treatment diets were fed to four pens of turkeys each, beginning at 21 d of age. Level of naked oats did not affect weight gain, feed efficiency or mortality of the roasters. The turkey poults consuming the 66% naked oats diet had significantly heavier 10-wk body weights and greater weight gains from 3 to 10 wk of age than those fed the other diets. In Trial 1, treatment had no significant effect on weight gains or feed efficiency for the finishing period (10–16 wk). In Trial 2, birds fed the 66% naked oats diet consumed significantly less feed than those fed the other diets, and had significantly heavier 12-wk body weights than birds fed the 22 and 44% naked oats diets. Treatment had no significant effect on weight gain or feed efficiency for the finishing period (10–12 wk). It appears that naked oats were a suitable feedstuff for the birds in this study. Key words: Naked oats, chicken roaster, turkey broiler, growth