ABSTRACT

The effect of varying energy and protein concentration on performance of local turkey poults in the humid tropics was investigated in a 3 x 3 factorials designed experiment with three levels of energy (3000, 2800 and 2600 kcal ME/kg diet) and three levels of protein (32, 30 and 28%) giving a total of 9 diets. A total of 72 day old unsexed local turkey poults into nine equal treatments of 8 birds, replicated twice, were used in the study which lasted for 8 weeks. It was observed that energy: protein ratio had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on the daily feed intake and final weight of the turkeys respectively. The daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio values were inconsistent from one calorie: protein ratio to the other. The daily weight gain of diets 2, 6, and 9 respectively were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than others followed by that of diets 3, 7 and 8. The feed conversion efficiency of diets 2, 3 and 6 were significantly higher (P <0.05) than others, followed by that of diets 8 and 9 whereas that of diets 1, 4, 5 and 7 were least efficient. In attempting to assess optimum dietary protein and energy for local turkeys, it is necessary to define the parameters being used to evaluate a response. If the criteria are maximum weight, feed efficiency and economic evaluation then the present data suggests the optimum dietary protein: energy ratio to be recommended should be 28% CP and 2800kca1 ME/kg and 30% and 3000kca1 ME/kg.