Effect of Feed and Light Regimes during the Growing Period on Subsequent Reproductive Performance of Broad Breasted White Turkeys Fed Two Protein Levels

Abstract

Ninety-six Broad Breasted White female turkeys were selected as potential breeder hens on the basis of body weight and conformation at 19 weeks of age, and housed in cages. From 22 to 30 weeks, hens were provided 8 hours light per day and fed a 16% protein diet. Half the hens were full-fed and half were restricted-fed the same diet by feeding every-other-day an amount equal to 1.5 times the average consumption of the full-fed birds, based on weekly feed consumption of the full-fed group. At 30 weeks of age, hens were provided 16 hours of light per day and half the hens from each prebreeder treatment were full-fed either a 14 or an 18% protein ration for a 20 week production period.Body weights of the restricted-fed hens were significantlylower at 30 weeks of age than full-fed groups, and reached their maximum body weight at 34 weeks of age, compared to 33 weeks for full-fed hens. Days to first egg were significantly less for hens which had been full-fed from 22-30 weeks than hens restricted in feed during this period.The number of eggs per hen (20 weeks) was significantly greater (P<0.01) for hens full-fed during the 22-30 week period (88.4), compared to the previously restricted-fed hens (77.9). Feeding a 14 or an 18% protein diet from lighting through 20 weeks of production, resulted in no significant differences in total egg production, egg weight, fertility or hatchability.Luther and Waldroup (1970) fed 14.7%, 16.7% and 18.0% protein diets to laying turkeys and found no differences in reproductive performance; nor could a response to added methionine at the 14.7% or 16.7% protein at

Effect of Body Weight Loss During a Molt on Second Cycle Reproductive Performance of Turkey Hens ,

“…However, 3 weeks after the return of feed, TRT 2 hens had gained more weight than TRT 1 and their weights were not significantly different. Although feed consumption data were not analyzed, TRT 2 may have overconsumed during this period to compensate for reduced body weight (Krueger et al, 1978). Hens from both treatments continued to gain weight during the light restriction period with no differences observed, and 1 week after lighting (week 8), both treatment groups' weight were approximately equal (Fig.…”

Effect of Plane of Nutrition from Starting to and Through the Breeder Period on Reproductive Performance of Hen Turkeys

“…Marginal feed restriction such that body weight is minimally reduced generally improves performance (Mc-Cartney et al, 1977); however, an extensive weight loss either delays the onset of lay and reduced production (Touchburn et al, 1968;Krueger et al, 1978;Meyer et al, 1980) or is of no benefit (Anderson et al, 1963;Balloun, 1974;Borron et al, 1974;Potter et al, 1978a;Owingsand Sell, 1980). Sensitivity of turkey hens to restriction procedures during development can be attributed to inadequate feed consumption at the time of egg production and dependence upon body reserves.…”

Body Weight Changes During the Reproductive Period in Four Strains of Turkey Hens

“…Flocks housed in conventional floor pens which initiate egg production in cool weather and continue egg production into hot weather (seasonal flocks) normally lose weight during the reproductive period (Cherms et al, 1976;McCartney et al, 1977;Potter et al, 1978;Owings and Sell, 1980). Conversely, flocks housed in conventional floor pens which initiate egg production in warm or hot weather and continue egg production into cool weather (out of season flocks) gain weight during the reproductive period (Meyer et al, 1980) or maintain relatively constant weight (Krueger et al, 1978).…”

“…During the first egg production season, turkey hens fed ad libitum during the growth, holding, and reproductive phases have been reported to either lose (Borron et al, 1974;Cherms et al, 1976;Thomason et al, 1976;McCartney et al, 1977;Krueger et al, 1978;Potter et al, 1978;Menge et al, 1979;Owings and Sell, 1980;Rosebrough et al, 1980) or gain body weight (Balloun, 1974;Borron et al, 1974;Woodard et al, 1974;Andrews and Morrow, 1978;Meyer et al, 1980;Rosebrough et al, 1980;Nestor et al, 1981) during the reproductive period. Following a forced molting, a gain (Ferguson et al, 1975) or loss in body weight (Thomason et al, 1976) has been reported during the second production period.…”