Response of Two Strains of Turkey Hens to Various Protein and Energy Feeding Programs

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to note the response of Nicholas and British United Turkey (BUT) strains of turkey hens to so-called North American and European feeding programs. The European program involved increased quantities of protein and essential amino acids relative to energy level of the diet. In Experiment 1, the two feeding programs were each tested with four replicate groups of 40 commercial hens of both strains. Each feed was allocated by weight and allotment continually adjusted for mortality. At 105 days of age, eight hens per replicate pen were sampled for various carcass characteristics. Nicholas hens were most often heavier (P<.01) to 56 days, although after this time the BUT strain showed increased growth. At 105 days, BUT hens fed the high-protein diet were the heaviest group, being significantly (P<.05) heavier than comparable birds fed low-protein diets. There was no difference (P<.05) in feed efficiency from 0 to 105 days or in any of the carcass traits measured.In Experiment 2, the two strains of hens were grown to broiler weight at 70 days, again with conventional versus high-protein diets. Each treatment was tested with six replicate floor pens each containing 50 poults. At 70 days of age both strains of hen were heavier when fed the high-protein diets (P<.05), although the Nicholas hens were heavier than the BUT birds (P<.05). The BUT hens ate less feed than Nicholas birds (P<.01) and also exhibited superior feed efficiency (P<.01). The mortality rate of BUT hens was greater than that of Nicholas hens when the high-protein diet was used (P<.05).There were obvious differences in growth rate of the two strains of turkey hen used in the present trials. Depending upon market age, the BUT hen seemed to respond favorably to diets of higher protein-amino acid content relative to energy concentration.