The Effects of Restricted Energy Feeding During the Growing Period on the Reproductive Performance of Turkey Breeder Females

Abstract

These studies were undertaken to determine the effects of restricted energy feeding during the growing period upon the subsequent reproductive performance of Large White turkey females. Energy intake was limited to two-thirds of that voluntarily consumed by birds receiving practical-type growing diets ad libitum. Dietary treatments were imposed from either 8 to 32, 12 to 24, or 12 to 28 weeks of age under either natural increasing, natural decreasing, or constant eight-hour daylength. Data were collected on the number of days after the onset of stimulatory light to first egg and to 50 percent egg production, and on body weight at the end of the restriction period, at 50 percent egg production, and at the end of the reproductive period. Data were also collected on shank length, egg production, egg weight, fertility, hatchability, number of poults per hen, and carcass composition at the end of the restriction period and at 50 percent egg production. Females grown on restricted energy diets were less fat, had shorter shanks and weighed less at the end of the restriction period. Carcass fat, however, was not significantly affected at the time of 50 percent egg production. Only a slight delay in sexual maturity was noted in those birds grown on restricted energy diets. Restricting energy during the growing period did not affect reproductive performance.