Effect of Feed and Light Regimes during the Growing Period on Subsequent Reproductive Performance of Broad Breasted White Turkeys Fed Two Protein Levels

Ninety-six Broad Breasted White female turkeys were selected as potential breeder hens on the basis of body weight and conformation at 19 weeks of age, and housed in cages. From 22 to 30 weeks, hens were provided 8 hours light per day and fed a 16% protein diet. Half the hens were full-fed and half were restricted-fed the same diet by feeding every-other-day an amount equal to 1.5 times the average consumption of the full-fed birds, based on weekly feed consumption of the full-fed group. At 30 weeks of age, hens were provided 16 hours of light per day and half the hens from each prebreeder treatment were full-fed either a 14 or an 18% protein ration for a 20 week production period. Body weights of the restricted-fed hens were significantlylower at 30 weeks of age than full-fed groups, and reached their maximum body weight at 34 weeks of age, compared to 33 weeks for full-fed hens. Days to first egg were significantly less for hens which had been full-fed from 22—30 weeks than hens restricted in feed during this period. The number of eggs per hen (20 weeks) was significantly greater (P<0.01) for hens full-fed during the 22—30 week period (88.4), compared to the previously restricted-fed hens (77.9). Feeding a 14 or an 18% protein diet from lighting through 20 weeks of production, resulted in no significant differences in total egg production, egg weight, fertility or hatchability.