The use of feed restriction for improving reproductive traits in male-line Large White turkey hens. I. Growth and carcass characteristics
1994
Renema, R.A. | Robinson, F.E. | Melnychuk, V.L. | Hardin, R.T. | Bagley, L.G. | Emmerson, D.A. | Blackman, J.R.
The influence of feed allowance during rearing was investigated in male-line Large White breeder hens. A flock of 200 poults was reared from 4 to 28 wk of age under four treatments as follows: full-fed controls (FF), low-protein diet (12% CP from 12 to 28 wk; LP), and reduced BW (10 or 20% lower BW than FF; R10 and R20). At photostimulation (28 wk), all birds consumed a commercial breeder diet ad libitum for the remainder of the study (48 wk of age). Body weight differed among treatments during most of rearing. The LP birds were similar in BW to the R10 birds at 28 wk of age. By 40 wk of age, growth curves of all treatments became similar, with the R20 group having lower BW. Feed restriction reduced frame size during rearing. Flock uniformity in the R10 and R20 treatment hens was reduced during rearing, but improved early in the breeder period. Feed restriction reduced breast muscle and abdominal fat pad weight early in lay, except for the LP group. Liver lipid content increased throughout the breeder period. Changes in liver weight followed the pattern of BW changes. Total carcass protein content changes in time reflected breast muscle mass changes. In R20 hens, carcass lipid content was reduced and protein content increased. Sexual maturity was delayed in the R20 hens. Body weight at first egg was negatively correlated with settable egg production (r = -.37, P < .0015). The R20 treatment is recommended for male-line turkey breeder hen candidates during rearing.
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