The Effect of Supplemental Phosphorus on the Reproductive Performance of Turkey Hens and the Subsequent Effect Upon the Poults

Abstract

Studies were made on the reproductive performance of Beltsville Small White turkey hens fed a diet containing phosphorus from plant sources only (0.35% P) or supplemented with inorganic phosphorus to provide 1.01% total P, and the effect of such diets on subsequent poult development. Egg production and hatchability of fertile eggs was statistically greater in groups fed the diet containing supplemental P. No significant differences were noted in the hens in regard to fertility, hemoglobin, hematocrit, heart rate, femur bone ash or weight loss as a result of dietary treatments.Poults from both dietary treatments, when fed additional phosphorus (1.01%), grew normally. Poults from both treatments, when fed diets containing phosphorus from plant sources only (0.45% P), were lighter in weight, had greater mortality and developed severe leg troubles, regardless of maternal diet. Tibiotarsus bone ash and the Ca and P of the bone ash of the non-supplemented groups was approximately one-half that found in supplemental groups. There was no apparent carry-over effect of phosphorus from the maternal diet to the poult. PROCEDUREBeltsville Small White (B.S.W.) turkey hens were divided into four groups of fifteen birds each, weighed, placed in individual laying cages and provided with lights to give a 14-hour day. Groups 1 and 3 were fed a diet containing phosphorus from plant sources only and Groups 2 and 4 were fed the same diet with supplemen-792 at