Effect of protein restriction during brooding on spontaneous turkey cardiomyopathy.
The effect of early protein restriction on poult performance and mortality due to spontaneous turkey cardiomyopathy were examined in a facility that historically had a high incidence of the condition. Two thousand male turkey poults were divided into two equal subgroups for the first 4 weeks of life: one received standard commercial rations for the first 4 weeks (high-protein subgroup), and the other received rations with a protein content approximately 70% of the first subgroup (low-protein subgroup). Rations were the same after 4 weeks of age (standard commercial rations). At 16 weeks of age, turkeys in the low-protein subgroup weighed an average of 12.32 kilograms (27.1 pounds), whereas turkeys in the high-protein subgroup weighed an average of 12.73 kilograms (28.0 pounds). Total mortality for the low-protein subgroup was 10.1%, whereas total mortality for the high-protein subgroup was 15.7%. Total mortality due to spontaneous turkey cardiomyopathy in the high-protein subgroup was greater than twice that in the low-protein subgroup (10.4% versus 4.6%). These results show that lowering the protein content of the feed in the first 4 weeks significantly reduces mortality due to spontaneous turkey cardiomyopathy, but body weight gain is also reduced.
Breeding
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SW
Department of Food Animal and Equine Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606.
McRee
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WA
Ficken
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MD
Ferket
P R
PR
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D018753:Diet, Protein-Restricted; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D008297:Male; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D014422:Turkeys