Nutritional Investigations with Turkey Hens

NOT until recently has any work been reported on the level of protein necessary in turkey breeder rations for optimum performance. As a consequence, levels varying from 15 to 20% of the diet have been recommended by different experiment stations, even though the National Research Council (1954) has suggested a level of 15%. Robblee and Clandinin (1959) reported no advantage for feeding rations containing 17% protein over those containing 15% protein. The productive energy content of their rations varied from 700 to 800 Calories per pound. Carter et al. (1957) compared rations containing 16 and 18% protein in combination with 800, 900, and 1,000 Calories of productive energy per pound. Differences in fertility and hatchability were slightly in favor of the higher protein level. A larger proportion of the feed consumed by turkeys than for chickens is used for maintenance and it is well known that the protein requirement for …