Effect of Temperature Environment and Laying Cages on the Reproductive Performance of Turkeys

This study was designed to determine the effects of (1) environmental temperatures of 20°, 23° and 26° C., (2) laying cages vs. conventional litter floors, and (3) limestone flour vs. granulated limestone on the reproductive performance of Large White turkey hens for a 24-week experimental period. Females in an environmental temperature of 26° C. laid significantly (P ≤ 0.05) fewer eggs on the average than those maintained at temperatures of 20° and 23° C. (51.6 vs. 64.0 and 60.0 eggs, respectively). Egg shell breaking strength showed no consistent trend with increased temperature. Percentage settable eggs, fertility, hatchability and feed consumption were unaffected within the range of environmental temperatures imposed. Females in laying cages showed an increase in egg production, a lower percentage of settable eggs, poorer egg shell thickness and egg shell breaking strength, an increase in feed consumption, and reduced fertility and hatchability compared to those in conventional litter pens. Indications from the plasma calcium concentrations were that the egg shell quality problem in caged hens may be related to calcium metabolism. Neither the ground limestone nor the #10-limestone particle diets had any effect on the parameters measured. Data showed that maximum reproductive potential for Large White turkeys was expressed at temperatures between 20° and 23° C. in conventional litter floor pens under the conditions of this study.