The Effect of Calorie-Protein Ratio of the Ration on Growth and Feed Efficiency of Turkeys

EXPERIMENTAL data have shown that there is a need for a suitable balance between energy and protein in poultry rations for optimum efficiency and that rations high in energy content tend to promote more rapid growth as well as better feed conversion (Scott et al., 1947; Biely and March, 1954; Combs and Romoser, 1955; Matterson et al., 1955; and Patterson, 1955). Baldini and Rosenberg (1955) extended this work and showed that an amino acid, methionine, was required in greater amounts in the diets as the energy level of the diet was increased. Sunde (1956) showed that rations high in protein and low in energy reduced growth and efficiency of feed utilization. Although more work has been done with chickens than with turkeys, several reports have recently been published concerning the optimum Calorie-protein ratio for turkeys (Lockhart and Thayer, 1955; Atkinson et al., 1956; Ferguson et al., 1956; and Waibel, 1956). . . .