Effect of Pelleting on the “Extra Caloric” Effect of Dietary Fat for Developing Turkeys

Large White developing turkeys were fed rations containing 0, 3 and 6% added fat in pelleted and unpelleted forms from 8–24 weeks of age. Growth rate was not affected but feed efficiency was significantly improved by each increment of added fat and by pelleting the rations containing 0 and 3% added fat. Feed efficiency in the ration containing 6% added fat was not improved by pelleting, but this diet failed to pellet adequately and the ration was similar in physical form to the unpelleted ration when fed to the birds. The “extra caloric” effect of added fat was observed in both pelleted and unpelleted rations when the physical form of the pellet was retained.