Implementation of different feed withdrawal times and water temperatures in managing turkeys during heat stress

Abstract

This investigation studied the effects of different feed withdrawal times, water temperatures, and their interaction on growth performance, carcass traits, blood parameters, and health aspects of native turkeys (Egyptian local breed). We distributed native turkey poults (n = 180; 4 wk old) into 3 groups according to feed withdrawal time (ad libitum; feed withdrawal from 800 to 1,400 h, FW8 to 14; and feed withdrawal from 1,400 to 2,000 h, FW14 to 20). Each group was further divided into 2 subgroups corresponding to water temperature (ordinary and chilled water). Our results indicated that birds of FW14 to 20 exhibited the highest (P = 0.0001) body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG), whereas turkeys that drank chilled water displayed a higher BW than those that drank ordinary water. Turkeys that were kept under FW8 to 14 and drank chilled water displayed the highest BW at marketing and ADG from 4 to 16 wk of age. The lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) was exhibited in turkeys kept off feed under the FW14 to 20 regime. Birds that were kept under FW14 to 20 and received chilled water showed the lowest FCR. The meat color scores of the birds that drank chilled water were higher than those that drank ordinary water, whereas birds kept off feed under the FW14 to 20 regime displayed the highest tenderness and juiciness, followed by those fed ad libitum. Turkeys reared under FW14 to 20 exhibited the highest albumin/globulin ratio and glucose content but the lowest globulin and aspartate transaminase (AST) values. Birds that were kept under FW14 to 20 and drank chilled water displayed the lowest corticosterone concentration. Turkeys reared under FW14 to 20 presented the lowest body temperature. Birds that drank chilled water exhibited a lower body temperature than those that drank ordinary water. Turkeys that were fed ad libitum and drank chilled water displayed the lowest body temperature. Conclusively, applying feed withdrawal and cold water had benefits in turkeys during heat stress. Applying these treatments as managerial alternatives for raising native turkeys during the summer season is highly recommended.

The effect of intermittent feeding and cold water on performance and carcass traits of broilers reared under daily heat stress

“…results were found in our study. However, intermittent feeding and cold water improved FCR during hot hours [24], but these results inconsistent with the our findings.…”

“…The effect of feeding type and water temperature on carcass traits, edible inner organ and abdominal fat levels were insignificant and results were similar to [24]. However unlike our findings, the best carcass yield was determined in chickens fed intermittently for 4 hours [28].…”

“…Feed conversion ratio is improved in broiler chickens fed intermittently compared with ad-libitum feeding [23][24], however it was determined that there was no significant effect in our study. These results were in line with [25] and who reported that IF does not affect feed conversion ratio.…”

“…This may be explained by the low tendency of the feed intake in AL groups due to high temperature between 11.00 to 17.00 h. It is seen that there is no significant difference in feed intake between AL and IF chickens between 4 to 6 wk. Cold water intake did not affect feed intake of broilers [24], and similar…”

Growth Performance, Some Blood Components, Carcass Traits and Intestine Histology of Broiler Chicks as Affected by Stocking Density

“…In today's poultry industry, practices regarding management are among the most important factors for poultry producers, especially in hot climates, because they have the potential to reduce the relative heat load (Farghly et al, 2018) and due to the high cost of breeding (Abd El-Hack et al, 2019).…”