Young Turkeys Research Articles

PSII-21 Feed intake and growth of young turkeys in the brood when supplemented with Viribus Essentials, a blend of botanical extracts and natural flavors

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of adding Viribus Essentials (VB) on top of standard commercial brood diets on the performance and survivability of young turkeys in a large-scale commercial research facility. A total of 1,360 hybrid turkey toms were randomly assigned to 2 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design for a 42-d trial. There were 85 turkeys per pen and 8 replicate pens per treatment. The 2 dietary treatments were 1) CONTROL a standard set of commercial turkey brood rations (Starter, Grower), and 2) CONTROL + 1,362 grams per ton of VB in Starter and Grower. Body weight and feed disappearance were recorded by pen for d 0 to 42 to calculate average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. The Grubb’s test was used to check data for outliers with P < 0.05 as the level of significance for eliminating a replicate; no replicates were removed. Data were used to calculate all parameters and were analyzed using the GLM procedure in Minitab with Fisher’s t-test determining differences between treatments. Results from this trial are shown in Table 1. VB improved feed intake by 4.6% (P < 0.05), which resulted in improved average daily gain (ADG) by 3.8% (P < 0.01), with no change in feed conversion ratio (FCR) or Mortality adjusted FCR. Survivability was numerically increased by 1.1% (P = 0.367). Overall, the supplementation of VB increases the body weight of the turkey toms at the end of the brood by 4.7% (P < 0.01) which is an important indicator for the lifetime performance of turkeys.

PRODUCTIVITY OF TURKEYS AT DIFFERENT RATIOS OF LYSINE AND METHIONINE IN COMPOUND FEED

The article examines the effect of using complete ration compound feed with different ratios of lysine and methionine on the productivity of turkeys. Experimental studies were performed on turkeys of the BIG 6 cross-breeding meat direction. Five experimental groups of birds were formed by the method of analog groups at the age of one day. The experiment lasted 126 days and was divided into two periods: comparative (7 days) and main (119 days). During the comparative period, the experimental turkeys consumed feed of the control group. In the main period of the experiment, the proportion of methionine relative to lysine decreased or increased by 5 or 10% according to growing periods. It was established that the different ratio of lysine and methionine in compound feed for turkeys affects its productivity in different ways. In particular, at the end of the experiment, at the age of 126 days, the highest live weight was achieved by turkeys that consumed compound feed with an increase in the proportion of methionine relative to lysine by 5 and 10% - they outnumbered the counterparts of the control group, respectively, by 5.9 (p<0.05) and 3.6%. Poultry that received compound feed with a reduced proportion of methionine relative to lysine by 10 and 5% were inferior to control peers by 4.4 (p<0.05) and 2.2%, respectively, according to the mentioned indicator. The description of the growth of turkeys using mathematical methods confirmed the S-shaped ascending shape of the growth curve with high coefficients of determination for each experimental group. It was found that in almost all periods of the experiment, turkeys that consumed compound feed with a higher level of methionine relative to lysine prevailed in terms of average daily live weight gains of their counterparts fed compound feed with a lower proportion of methionine relative to lysine. In general, turkeys that consumed compound feed with an increase in the proportion of methionine relative to lysine by 5 and 10% were characterized by higher average daily live weight gains - it exceeded the control analogues by the mentioned indicator by an average of 4.6 and 2.2%, respectively. Turkeys that received combined feed with a reduced proportion of methionine relative to lysine by 10 and 5% were inferior to peers of the 1st group by 4.3 and 2.1%, respectively. It was established that the relationship between the ratio of lysine and methionine in compound feed for young turkeys and its average daily weight gain is described by a polynomial line with a reliable approximation coefficient R2=1. At the same time, the correlation analysis showed that there is a direct average relationship between these phenomena (rs =0.64, p˂0.05).

Economic efficiency of rearing of young breeder turkeys on reused litter

Economic efficiency of rearing of young breeder turkeys on reused litter

Complex drug kenocox against <i>Eimeria</i> spp. oocysts in turkeys

The purpose of the researchis to test the efficacy of different concentrations of composite Kenocox againstEimeriaspp. oocysts in turkeys in a laboratory experiment and under production conditions.Materials and methods. The anti-Eimeria activity of the new composite disinfection agent Kenocox was tested as compared with phenol in two stages. The first laboratory stage used 2, 4 and 6% Kenocox and 4% phenol as the base drug. The second stage used a bioassay with artificial infection of the young turkeys, and a production test was conducted on a poultry farm.Results and discussion. The conducted studies showed 92.96% intense-effectiveness of 2% Kenocox. 4 and 6% Kenocox showed 100% efficacy against sporulatedEimeriaspp. oocysts, and the base 4 % phenol provided 74.98% efficacy. During the production test of 4% Kenocox on the turkey farm, 91.7% intense-effectiveness was detected.

The effect of early administration of antibiotics or feeding a diet containing a coccidiostat on inflammatory responses and the morphological structure of selected organs of the immune system in young meat-type turkeys

It was assumed that early administration of enrofloxacin or doxycycline may impair immune function and alter the morphology of organs of the immune system in turkeys, and that diets containing the coccidiostat monensin, an ionophore antibiotic, can exert similar effects. The aim of this study was to determine whether early antibiotic administration or feeding a diet containing a coccidiostat affect immune function in young turkeys. The experiment had a completely randomized design, with 8 groups (a total of 3,080 one-day-old turkeys), 7 replicate pens per group and 55 birds per pen. The experiment had a 2-factorial design, with 4 treatments (C-control, M-monensin, E-enrofloxacin, and D-doxycycline) and 2 groups of birds (vaccinated and unvaccinated) per treatment. Control group birds did not receive the coccidiostat or antibiotics. Group M was administered monensin at 90 mg/kg feed for the first 5 d of life, group E received enrofloxacin at 10 mg/kg BW, added to drinking water, for the first 5 d of life, and group D received doxycycline at 50 mg/kg BW, added to drinking water, for the first 5 d of life. One-day old turkeys from groups C+, M+, E+, and D+ were administered live-attenuated vaccines against turkey rhinotracheitis (TRT) (Poulvac TRT; Zoetis, Parsippany, NJ) and Newcastle disease (ND) (Nobilis ND clone 30; Merck, Rahway, NJ) by coarse spray; 28-day-old birds were administered a subcutaneously injected inactivated vaccine against Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) (Ornitin, Phibro, Poland). Turkeys from groups C-, M-, E-, and D- were not vaccinated. It was found that early administration of enrofloxacin or doxycycline, or feeding a diet containing monensin, did not weaken the immune system of turkeys. The administration of monensin, in particular when combined with vaccination, was least effective in inhibiting inflammatory responses. Histological changes in immunocompetent organs (fatty degeneration) were also most severe in birds receiving monensin, followed by those administered doxycycline and enrofloxacin. The observed changes were exacerbated by vaccination.

Refining the metabolisable energy value of field beans for turkeys

ABSTRACT 1. This study examined the feeding value of ten UK grown field bean (Vicia faba L. var. minor) cultivar samples from the same harvest year on nitrogen corrected apparent metabolisable energy (AMEn) and nutrient retention coefficients when fed to young female turkeys. 2. A balancer feed (BF) was formulated to contain 12.39 MJ/kg ME and 269 g/kg crude protein. Ten nutritionally complete, mash diets were prepared by mixing 200 g/kg of each ground field bean cultivar with 800 g/kg of the BF, totalling eleven diets. Diets were fed to female BUT Premium turkeys from 40 to 50 d of age. Each diet was fed to eight raised floor pens, housing two birds, following randomisation. The AMEn was determined by the total collection technique over the last 4 d of the study. Relationships were examined between AMEn, chemical composition and quality variables of the field bean samples. 3. The overall determined AMEn value of the beans ranged from 7.72 MJ/kg DM to 9.87 MJ/kg DM, giving an average AMEn of 8.80 MJ/kg DM (P < 0.05). The soluble non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) content of the beans negatively correlated with their determined AMEn (r = −0.730; P < 0.05). Bean flour lightness-darkness degree (L*) correlated positively with the AMEn (r = −0.643; P < 0.05) 4. A positive correlation was observed between the degree of yellowness-blueness of bean flour and condensed tannins content (r = 0.696; P < 0.05). Step-wise regression indicated that soluble NSP + L* of field beans provided explanatory variables suitable for estimating the AMEn value for turkeys (r2 = 0.737; P < 0.05).

Comparative Effects of Inorganic and Organic Dietary Sources of Selenium on Selenium Levels and Selenium-Dependent Glutathione Peroxidase Activity in Blood of Young Turkeys

The effect of various dietary sources of Se on Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase (SeGSH-Px) activity in plasma and whole blood was studied in turkeys. Dayold poults were fed low Se diets (supplemented with vitamin E) for 15 to 24 days before being fed experimental diets for 7 to 10 days. Menhaden fish meal (0.1 ppm Se) increased plasma SeGSH-Px activity by 45% of the response to 0.1 ppm Se as Na2SeO3. Poults supplemented with 0, 0.1, 0.2, or 0.4 ppm Se as Na2SeO3, had similar increases in plasma and whole blood Se levels; however, SeGSH-Px activity of plasma (r = 0.96) was better correlated with dietary Se than that of whole blood (r = 0.64). The supplement of 0.4 ppm Se increased the activity of SeGSH-Px almost 20 times in plasma but only 1.6 times in whole blood. The effectiveness of several compounds providing 0.2 ppm Se for increasing plasma SeGSH-Px activity was: Na2SeO4 > Se-dl-cystine > Se-dl-methionine and Se-dl-ethionine. The effect of Na2SeO3 was not significantly different from that of Se-dl-cystine, Se-dl-methionine or Se-dl-ethionine. The ratio of SeGSH-Px activity:Se concentration, indicating the amount of Se associated with enzyme activity, was highest in plasma of poults fed Na2SeO4 andSe-dl-cystine. The data demonstrate differences in the availability of various Se sources for SeGSH-Px activity in poults.selenium glutathione peroxidase turkeys fish meal

Campylobacter Colonization and Diversity in Young Turkeys in the Context of Gastrointestinal Distress and Antimicrobial Treatment

Young turkeys are vulnerable to undifferentiated gastrointestinal distress, including "irritable and crabby syndrome" (ICS), which compromises flock performance and is typically treated with a combination of penicillin and gentamicin (P/G). However, the effects of ICS and P/G treatment on Campylobacter remain poorly understood. We investigated the impact of ICS and P/G treatment on Campylobacter levels and diversity in four flocks from three turkey farms. Cecum and jejunum samples were analyzed weekly from day of hatch to week 4-5. All four flocks became colonized with multidrug resistant (MDR) Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli by week 2-3, and two developed ICS. ICS and P/G treatment did not significantly impact total Campylobacter levels or strain genotypes but impacted species and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles. One flock was raised under antibiotic-free (ABF) conditions while another flock at the same farm was raised conventionally. The ABF flock did not develop ICS while its counterpart did. However, Campylobacter strains, AMR profiles and sequence types were generally shared between these two flocks. Our findings suggest that ICS and P/G treatment impacted Campylobacter population dynamics in commercial young turkey flocks, and that ABF flocks may become readily colonized by MDR strains from non-ABF flocks at the same farm.

Protozoal infections of young turkeys in the conditions of industrial farms

The article presents the results of monitoring of parasitic protozoa of young turkeys in industrial-type farms of the Central region of Russia. Fecal samples, scrapings from the floor and passages, and the contents of the gastrointestinal tract during slaughter were systematically examined in birds of different ages. The age and seasonal dynamics of their infection with eimeria, as well as contamination of environmental objects by protozoan oocysts, were established. At the same time, the following species were identified in turkeys: Eimeria meleagrimitis (80%), E. meleagridis (15%), E. adenoids (5%). The prevalence in males of 35-49 days old, and in females of 35-49-63 days old was the maximum and amounted to 30–45 and 5–30%, respectively. The obtained results should be used in the organization of therapeutic and preventive measures against parasitic protozoa of young turkeys.

Clinical study on turkeys of the combined coli-salmonella bacteriophage

Infectious diseases of turkeys, in particular salmonellosis and colibacteriosis, are a serious problem and lead to significant economic losses. The damage is due to the high mortality of young animals, reduced egg production in breeding herds, deterioration of meat quality, costs of treatment, elimination of the disease and preventive measures. However, the main problem is the impact of contaminated meat products on public health. The use of antibiotics allows you to get good results in treatment, but it is ineffective in terms of eliminating infection. To solve this problem, it is advisable to minimize their use in industry, as well as replace them with other antimicrobial agents. One of such promising areas is the use of bacteriophages. This paper presents the results of a clinical study of a combined bacteriophage on turkey in industrial conditions, confirming its safety and effectiveness. The basis for conducting clinical trials of the combined coli-salmonella bacteriophage were cases of infectious pathology caused by enteropathogenic escherichia, periodically recorded in young turkeys, as well as the detection of Salmonella enteritidis isolates in pathological material during monitoring studies. The disease was manifested by a violation of the gastrointestinal tract, intoxication with signs of depression, ruffled feathers, typical pathoanatomic changes in the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. With the prophylactic use of the combined bacteriophage, there were no outbreaks of colibacteriosis and salmonellosis, whereas 3 cases of colibacteriosis were recorded in the control group, confirmed by the results of bacteriological studies. When evaluating the therapeutic effect, it was found that the use of the drug for a course of 3-5 days makes it possible to effectively stop the disease, regardless of the age category of the bird. With the course use of the drug, there was no increase in mortality and an increase in the number of forcibly culled poultry, which indicates the harmlessness of the tested drug. When assessing the economic efficiency, it was found that the costs of treatment courses of the drug in the experimental group were less than in the control group. Similar results were obtained with the prophylactic use of the drug.

Dynamics of metabolic processes in the body of young turkeys, when using eubiotics based on bifidobacteria in the diet

The article presents data on the effect of different schemes of using eubiotics based on bifidobacteria on metabolic parameters in young turkeys. It has been established that preparations containing biobacteria contribute to the acceleration of metabolic processes, increase the intensity of poultry growth, which is confirmed by an increase in all biochemical parameters of the blood, while not violating their physiological norms.

The effectiveness of methods to diagnose eimeriosis in turkeys on industrial farms and the species identification

The purpose of the research is a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of methods to diagnose eimeriosis in turkeys and the species identification.Materials and methods. A comparative effectiveness assessment of life-time diagnostic methods for eimeriosis in turkey poults was conducted using coproscopic examinations: with sodium chloride alone, and with sodium chloride and glycerin according to Darling; with sodium chloride and glucose according to McMaster; and with sodium chloride alone according to Fülleborn. The diagnostic strength of different methods was evaluated with Eimeria oocysts artificially placed in standard litter samples free from infection. Morphological examinations and characteristics determination of Eimeria species in the turkey poults were conducted in the laboratory after the completed sporulation.Results and discussion. The diagnostic strength of the Fülleborn’s flotation method for turkey eimeriosis was 62.4%, 79.2% for the combined Darling1 methods, 85.6% for the combined Darling2 methods, and 90.4% for the McMaster’s methods. The combined Darling’s and McMaster’s methods used by us provide, according to their technology, for double centrifugation: water settling and flotation with saline, thus the microscopically examined sample contained not so many feed residues or other particles, which affected the diagnostic strength of the method. The young turkeys from the Penza and Moscow Regions’ farms were found to have the following types of Eimeria: Eimeria meleagrimitis in 62–80%, E. meleagridis in 15–16%, E. adenoides in 5–13%, and E. gallopavonis in 9%. E. meleagrimitis and E. meleagridis dominated on the turkey farms in the said regions. E. adenoides and E. gallopavonis were significantly less common.

Gastrointestinal tract and neuroendocrine system responses of young turkeys to the early administration of antibiotics or feeding a diet containing a coccidiostat

This study investigated the effects of early and short-term administration of an antibiotic or feeding a diet containing a coccidiostat on gastrointestinal function and the blood levels of selected hormones in young turkeys. A total of 1540 Hybrid Converter turkeys were allocated to 4 groups on the day of hatch. Each group consisted of 7 pens with 55 birds per pen. Group ENR was treated with enrofloxacin for the first 5 d of life, group DOX received doxycycline for 5 d and group MON was administered monensin for 84 d. CON birds served as a control group without any antibiotic treatment or MON administration. An analysis of the activity of bacterial enzymes revealed that the cecal microbiota of turkeys were less sensitive to MON than to the other 2 antibiotics. Turkeys subjected to ENR and DOX treatments were characterized by lower (P < 0.05) extracellular activity of cecal bacterial β-glucosidase, compared with groups CON and MON. The extracellular activity of cecal bacterial α-galactosidase and β-galactosidase decreased significantly in response to the experimental treatment with DOX (P < 0.05 vs. CON). Turkeys treated with ENR had higher total activity of bacterial β-galactosidase than those administered DOX or MON. Despite the differences in the enzymatic activity of microbiota, the use of antibiotics did not affect the concentrations of total short-chain fatty acids or ammonia in the cecal digesta of turkeys. A diet containing MON and the early administration of ENR or DOX induced an increase in blood noradrenaline levels (P = 0.004) in 56-day-old turkeys. Early DOX use increased plasma cortisol concentrations (P < 0.001) and decreased plasma serotonin levels (P = 0.006) in 56-day-old turkeys. Over the entire experiment (up to 12 wk of age), the use of MON improved the BW gain of turkeys (P = 0.055) and feed conversion (P = 0.016), compared with the DOX treatment.

The use of a feed additive from the larvae of Lucilia Caesar flies in feeding of young turkeys

The use of flour from fly larvae in the feeding of farm animals is a new direction that is becoming increasingly widespread among the world’s leading producers. The technology of obtaining flour from fly larvae solves several critical problems of agricultural development: production of cheap and high-quality animal protein; replacement of imported components in animal feed; involvement of biological waste in secondary processing; reduction of environmental burden. The purpose of the work was to study the effectiveness of using innovative protein-lipid concentrate from fly larvae of the Lucilia Caesar population in feeding of young turkeys of the BIG-6 cross. In order to conduct the research 3 groups of young turkeys were formed with 20 heads in each (10 females and 10 males), which were housed separately. The control group has been received a general economic ration. The experimental groups have been fed protein-lipid concentrate: the 1st experimental group – 5,0 %, the 2nd experimental group – 7,5 % by weight of compound feed. The duration of fattening was 17 weeks. The positive effect of protein-lipid concentrate on the bioconversion of feed nutrients, the balance and use of nitrogen by the body of young turkeys, productivity and quality of meat was revealed. The physiological regularities of the effect of the studied feed on the intensity of metabolic processes in the body of females and males have been established. Optimal norms for the introduction of protein-lipid concentrate into the diets of young turkeys have been proposed. As a result of the experiment, the level of profitability from rearing experimental groups of young female turkeys increased by 1,49 and 2,21 abs.%, young male turkeys – 2,88 and 4,04 abs.% compared to the control groups.

Black Universals and Alain Locke's Notion of Value

Black Universals and Alain Locke's Notion of Value

Analysis of diagnostic cases of turkey viral enteritis in commercial turkey poults in California

Poult enteritis complex is a multifactorial intestinal disease of young turkeys, which results in considerable economic losses for commercial turkey producers. The objectives of this study were to determine the current prevalence of viral enteritis in California turkeys, assess the methods of detection and the gross and histological presentations of laboratory case submissions. The electronic database at the California Animal Health and Food Safety ( CAHFS ) system was searched for necropsy cases in which intestinal content from commercial turkey poults was submitted for transmission electron microscopy ( TEM ) and/or quantitative reverse transcriptase ( qRT )-PCR for enteric viruses for the period February 1, 2020 to February 1, 2021. Based on these search parameters, the study identified and analyzed a total of 66 poult necropsy cases originating from 22 commercial turkey premises. A diagnosis of viral enteritis was made in 43 of the 66 cases (65.1%) screened for enteric viruses by TEM and/or qRT-PCR. The viruses detected in this study included turkey astroviruses, avian rotavirus, avian reovirus, avian enteric picornavirus, and avian parvovirus. Turkey astroviruses species (32/43, 74.4%) were the most frequently detected viruses, with turkey astrovirus-2 (24/43, 55.8%) being the most common species detected amongst all enteric viruses. A single enteric virus was detected in 44.2% (19/43) of cases submissions, while 2 or more enteric viruses were detected in 55.8% (24/43) of submissions. The age at which enteric viruses were detected ranged from one to 7 wk of age, with the highest frequency of detection occurring in the first 3 wk of life (38/43, 88.4%, 95% CI: 1.2–13.3, odds ratio [ OR ] = 4.1). Within the first 3 wk, the majority (24/43, 55.8%) of poults positive for enteric viruses ranged between 1 and 7 d of age. Our assessment of the different diagnostic methods used at CAHFS indicates that the use of TEM in conjunction with qRT-PCR improved our ability to detect viruses in cases where 2 or more enteric viruses were present. The most common macroscopic findings included pale, thin-walled, fluid-filled small intestines (76.7%); thin, dilated, fluid-filled ceca (69.7%), and primarily litter in the gizzard (60.4%). The most common microscopic findings included villi changes (atrophy, fusion, blunting) (72%), infiltration of the lamina propria with mixed inflammatory cells (51%), hyperplasia of crypt epithelial cells (16%), and increase in the number of goblet cells (16%). This study provides an update on the prevalence of turkey viral enteritis in California commercial turkeys operations and discussed production practices which impact the occurrence of the disease complex. It also identified the current presentation of this disease condition in California and discussed the best approach for diagnosing turkey viral enteritis.

Fear behaviour in turkey poults of fast and slow growing breeds

Characterisation of fear response in turkey breeds could bring important beneficial information for future breeding, animal welfare and preservation of breeds. The two major turkey breeds raised presently in Nigeria are Hybrid Converter turkey (HCT) and Nigerian indigenous turkey (NIT). The HCT has been selected for fast growth and can adapt to different environmental and management conditions. In contrast, NIT is an unselected slow-growing bird that is hardy and well-adapted to the tropical climate of Nigeria. This study examined fear behaviour in turkey poults of fast and slow growing breeds to know how genetic selection for fast growth has shaped fear response in young turkeys. Twenty-five each of white NIT and HCT poults were used for this study. Fear tests such as tonic immobility, emergence, open field, inversion and attention bias tests were used to assess fear responses in the turkey poults during the first 16 days of life. A Wilcoxon Two-Sample test was used to determine the effect of the turkey breed on the poults’ fear responses. There was a significant breed effect on the duration of tonic immobility (Ws=482.00, z = −3.0138, p = 0.003) and latency to emerge from a dark box (Ws=382.00, z = −4.9521, p = 0.000). The HCT stayed in tonic immobility longer than NIT, while NIT emerged faster than HCT from the dark box. There was also a significant breed effect on vocalization duration (Ws=664.50, z = 3.65, p = 0.000) in the open field arena, with longer duration of vocalization in NIT compared with HCT. More escape attempts (Ws=598.00, z = 3.05, p = 0.004) and more explored floor squares (Ws=606.50, z = 2.43, p = 0.015) were observed in NIT compared with HCT during the open field test. The results obtained from this study showed significant breed differences in the fear responses of the turkey poults, with HCT poults being more fearful than NIT. The increased fear response observed in HCT poults appears to be an unintended consequence of selection for fast growth. Genetic selection programmes aimed at improving growth in turkeys should also consider their fear behaviour.

Plumage Response of Young Turkeys to Diets with Increased Methionine to Lysine Ratios at Three Dietary Arginine Levels.

Simple SummaryAn adequate supply of essential amino acids through the diet is critical for maintaining a fast growth rate, good health, and proper immune function as well as feather-cover development in poultry species. Feathers contain about 90% of protein, therefore the optimal ratios of limiting amino acids, in particular the sulfur-containing amino acids are indicated as necessary for the synthesis of feather keratin. This study evaluated the effects of different dietary methionine (Met) and arginine (Arg) levels on plumage development in young turkeys. An increased supply of sulfur-containing amino acids via supplemental Met promoted feather growth in turkeys at 16 weeks of age. Different concentrations of Arg (90%, 100%, and 110% of lysine content) had no influence on plumage development. The data on feather growth can contribute to a better understanding of the amino acid requirements in modern commercial turkey-farming systems.A 2 × 3 factorial experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of two dietary methionine levels (Met; 30% and 45% of Lys content) and three arginine levels (Arg; 90%, 100%, and 110% of Lys content) on plumage development in 4- and 16-week-old female turkeys. One-day-old turkey poults were assigned to six groups (eight replicate pens per group and 18 birds per pen) and fed experimental diets containing 1.6%, 1.5%, 1.3%, and 1.0% of Lys in four successive four-week periods. After weeks 4 and 16 of feeding, eight turkeys per group were selected for plumage evaluation. Feathers were collected from the outer side of one thigh and from an area of 4 cm2 in the interscapular region. Plumage was evaluated based on an established pattern of five feather development stages in turkeys, from stage I (pinfeathers covered in sheaths) to stage V (mature feathers). An increase in the Met inclusion rate to 45% of Lys content had no significant effect on feather growth in 4-week-old turkeys, but it accelerated the development of feathers in 16-week-old birds. A lower percentage of stage II (p = 0.035), stage III (p = 0.019), and stage IV (p = 0.003) immature feathers, and a higher percentage of stage V (mature) feathers (p = 0.001) were observed. Methionine exerted a greater effect on the development of thigh feathers (p = 0.001) than interscapular feathers (p = 0.074). Unlike Met, different Arg concentrations had no influence on plumage development in turkeys. Overall, the present results indicate that supplemental Met has a potential for accelerating feather development in 16-week-old turkeys via an increased supply of total sulfur amino acids.

Dietary supplements based on modified and enriched with amino acids zeolite in the cultivation of young turkeys

Relevance. Modern turkey crosses have a genetically determined high growth rate. These farm birds are very sensitive to even minor fluctuations in their diet, are susceptible to a deficiency of amino acids, protein, mineral elements and vitamins, which can contribute to a decrease in their productivity, the development of pathological processes and diseases. The use of modern technologies and scientific achievements has made it possible to prepare a new product — modified zeolite. This natural mineral is already free of impurities and microbes, with open pore windows, has a high ability to selectively exchange, and is obtained by various methods of activating zeolite in industrial conditions. At the same time, Ulyanovsk specialists have mastered the technology of enriching modified zeolite with useful substances.Methods. The aim of the work was to study the effect on the body of turkeys and the level of their productivity of additives based on modified zeolite enriched with amino acids. The experiment was organized for 60 days on 250 turkeys of the breed Hybrid Cread-mayker aged 55–60 days in the conditions of the Ulyanovsk region. The control group received the main ration (MR), the experimental group was given once a day in addition to the MR in the morning feeding in a mixture with mixed feed 5% additives of modified zeolite enriched with amino acids.Results. The inclusion of a supplement based on modified zeolite enriched with amino acids in the diet of turkeys does not have a negative effect on the hematological parameters of their blood, all indicators corresponded to the physiological norm. During the experiment in the 2nd group, the live weight of poultry was obtained larger by 8.70%, which amounted to 12,296 kg, respectively, more profit was obtained from the sale of turkey meat, total revenue was 133,210, and additional profit was 27,960 rubles, 2.41 rubles of profit was received for 1 ruble of costs. Тhe data indicate the normalization of mineral homeostasis in the body of turkeys and better absorption of nutrients in the feed diet.

STUDY OF THE POSSIBILITY REARING OF REPLACEMENT YOUNG TURKEYS ON REGENERATED LITTER

One of the problems of modern poultry farming is the shortage of litter materials. In this regard, the practice of litter regeneration and its repeated use is becoming more and more widespread. Regenerated litterwith proper disinfection is safe for the bird and does not negatively affect its growth index as evidenced by research on broiler chickens. At the same time, it has not been studied enough the possibility of using regenerated litter in the rearing and housing of other species and production groups of poultry with a technological cycle much longer than that of broiler chickens. Based on this, the goal of our research was to evaluate the microclimate in the poultry house, welfare and zootechnical indicators replacement young turkeyswhen reared on regenerated litter. There were formed two groups of turkey poults (females) of line 5 of the domestic cross Kharkiv, each with 150 heads in each group, one of which from 6 to 20 weeks of age was grown on a new litter (pine shavings), the other (experimental) on regenerated litter based on the same material. Litter regeneration was performed according to the previously developed technology. The remaining conditions for growing turkey poults of both groups met the regulatory requirements and were similar. It was established that from the 6th to the 12th week of rearing the moisture content of regenerated litter was 11.3-6.6% higher than of new litter (p&lt;0.05). However, during further rearing, the difference in their moisture content became insignificant. At the end of the rearing period, the general condition of the litter in both variantshad no significant differences according to the criteria of moisture, flowability, and clumping. Rearing young turkeys on regenerated litter there was observed an increase of 5.8-1.1 times (p&lt;0.05) in the content of ammonia and 1.5-1.1 times (p&lt;0.05) of carbon dioxide in the air of the house,compared to growing them on new litter. At the same time, their total concentration in the air did not exceed the maximum permissible during any of the rearing periods. Growing young turkeys on regenerated litter did not negatively affect the state of plumage, soles of paws and knee joints of young turkey, as well as their zootechnical indicators.