Effect of dietary protein and amino acid levels on performance, carcasscharacteristics and feed-cost efficiency of starter local Turkeys

EZE JACOB CHINENYE  RAYMOND; EZE JOY ORIFE  JACOB; JOHN UDUAKOBONG  ESSIEN; UGWUENE MICHAEL  CHIKEZIE

doi:10.56093/ijans.v96i3.169334

Authors

EZE JACOB CHINENYE RAYMOND Alex- Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
EZE JOY ORIFE JACOB Alex- Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
JOHN UDUAKOBONG ESSIEN Alex- Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
UGWUENE MICHAEL CHIKEZIE Alex- Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijans.v96i3.169334

Keywords:

Amino-acid, Lysine, Methionine, Protein, Starter Turkey

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-acid combinations for faecal ammonia reduction at a minimal 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 3x3 factorial experiment, in a completely randomized design, to determine the response of graded levels of protein and amino acids on growth parameters, carcass yield, cut up parts, internal organ proportions and feed cost benefits 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 crude protein at 3 levels (A128%, A226% and A324%) and dietary amino acids at 3 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 T3 turkeys was significantly higher than treatment group 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 but similar T9. Turkeys consumed both diet 3 (high CP, Met. and Lys.) and 9 (lower CP and higher Met. and Lys.) turkeys accrued similar gain in weight at the same significant level. However, T9 attained higher dressed weight, revenue and gross margin. It is, therefore, adopting a precise feeding of indigenous starter turkeys 24% CP at 0.35% Methionine and 0.70% Lysine would be most profitable and environmentally friendly for optimum yields with minimal ammonia excretion.

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