Performance Of Turkey Poults As Influenced By Various Dietary Protein And Energy Levels

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.