Use of Alternative Protein Sources on a True Available Amino Acid Basis for Growing Turkeys

Abstract

Heavy-strain male turkeys were fed corn-soybean meal (CS), or CS diets containing canola (Can), meat and bone (M), poultry by-product (P), or feather (F) meals and combinations thereof with varying protein levels from 0 to 18 wk of age. Diets were formulated utilizing available amino acids. TSAA were 100% of NRC (1984) requirements in all diets.In Experiment 1, diets containing 100, 85, and 75% of NRC Lys from protein (plus Lys to 85% of NRC) resulted in Hybrid turkeys averaging 13.66, 13.07, and 12.71 kg, while CS, Can, M, P, and Can + M-containing diets of variable energy resulted in weights of 13.05, 12.82, 13.36, 13.30, and 13.19, respectively, at 18 wk.In Experiment 2, diets containing 100, 85, 75, and 65% NRC Lys from protein (plus Lys to 92.5% of NRC) resulted in Nicholas 88 turkeys averaging 13.34, 12.83, 12.39, and 10.98 kg, while CS, and Can, MPF and Can + MPF-containing diets (isocaloric) resulted in weights of 12.27, 12.92, 11.93, and 12.43 kg, respectively, at 18 wk. Breast meat was reduced in diets of lower protein.