Responses of Starter Local Turkeys fed Different Levels of Dietary protein and Amino acid to Performance, carcass yields, organ proportion, carcass nutrients composition and Economics of production

Abstract

Growth performance, carcass yields, organ proportion and feed cost analysis are parameters used in monitoring the responses of local starter turkeys to different levels of dietary protein and amino acids' combination for faecal ammonia reduction at minimum cost. The current research was aimed at adopting precisely, the combination of crude protein and amino-acid which optimizes production with minimal ammonia excretion. Three hundred and sixty day old poults were randomly assigned into 3 x 3 factorial experiment, in a completely randomized design, to determine the responses of graded levels of CP and amino-acids on growth parameters, carcass yields, cut up parts, internal organ proportion and feed cost analysis of indigenous starter turkeys. Each treatment was replicated 4 times with 10 poults per replicate. The turkeys were fed the treatment diets that contained dietary CP at 3 levels (A₁28%, A₂26% and A₃24%) and dietary amino acids at levels each (methionine: B1 0.15%, 0.25% and 0.35% and lysine: B2: 0.30%, 0.50%, 0.70%).  The study lasted for 56 days during which water and feed were given ad libitum. Results showed   that the final weight of turkeys fed diets 3 was significantly higher than turkeys fed diets 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 but similar to those fed diet 9. Turkeys consumed both diets 3 (high CP, Met and Lys.) and 9 (lower CP and higher Met. and Lys.) similarly, and accrued gain in weight at the same significant level. However, turkeys fed diet 9 attained higher dressed weight, revenue and gross margin. It is therefore most profitable and environmentally friendly adopting a precise feeding of indigenous starter turkeys 24% CP at 0.35% methionine and 0.70% lysine for optimum yields with ammonia excretion.