Influence of dietary protein concentration and frequency of diet changes on rate of growth, efficiency of food utilisation and carcass quality of Large White turkeys.
1. In two experiments, diets in which the protein concentration was adjusted at differing intervals were fed to Large White turkeys for 22 or 24 weeks for males or 16 weeks for females. Four dietary protein concentration regimes were provided within each feeding plan. 2. The frequency of changes in dietary protein concentration had little influence on the rate of growth of turkeys receiving adequate dietary protein. However, lower dietary protein sufficed to maintain the maximum growth rate when the diets were changed less frequently. 3. The frequency of diet changes did not influence the efficiency of food or energy utilisation, but frequent dietary adjustments promoted efficiency of protein utilisation. 4. Higher dietary protein intake tended to increase carcass fleshing as assessed visually, without apparent effect on carcass finish. 5. Of two strains of turkeys studied, the more rapidly growing strain was less efficient in conversion of food and its constituent energy and protein into live body weight, but deposited carcass fat (finish) at an earlier age.
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D004032:Diet; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D014422:Turkeys / Q000502:physiology*
D004044:Dietary Proteins