The effect of dietary nutrient concentration and calorie to protein ratio on growth and body composition of male and female turkey poults.

Abstract

Synopsis Sixteen all‐mash starter diets, with calculated energy levels of 2205, 2646, 3086 and 3527 kcal ME/kg and calorie to protein ratios of about 93, 104, 115 and 126, were fed ad libitum to male and female poults from o to 4 weeks of age. The effect of dietary treatment on growth and body composition was similar for males and females. Growth rate increased by as much as 30 per cent as dietary energy level was increased from 2205 to 3086 kcal ME/kg. This effect was due to changes in nutrient intake associated with almost no change in food intake. A small additional growth response was obtained when energy level was raised from 3086 to 3527 kcal ME/kg but this was mainly associated with an increase in body fat. Increasing the nutrient concentration and widening the calorie to protein ratio both caused an increase in the percentage of fat and a decrease in the percentage of protein in the body. Nitrogen retention improved as dietary energy level was increased but not beyond 3086 kcal ME/kg.