Abstract:
The productivity of tropically bred local turkeys is often judged using the feeding standards of
temperate birds. These standards are considered grossly inadequate in meeting the nutritional
needs of the local turkey. Hence, this five-week study was conducted to determine the energy
and protein requirements of local pre-starter turkeys in a hot humid tropical environment. One
hundred and eighty day-old turkey poults were divided into 9 treatment groups with equal males
and females. The birds were randomly assigned to 9 diets in a 3 × 3 factorial design with three
crude protein (CP) (24%, 26% and 28%) and three energy (2600, 2700 and 2800 Kcal/kg ME)
levels. Birds fed 2600 ME diet had the highest final body weight (FBW), total weight gain
(TWG), average daily weight gain (ADWG) and protein efficiency ratio (PER). The birds also
consumed less feed to give an improved feed conversion ratio (FCR). Birds fed on 26% CP diet
had improved FBW, TWG, ADWG, and FCR and PER. The interaction of protein (26% CP) and
energy (2600 and 2700 ME) resulted in higher FBW, TWG, ADWG and better FCR. The
interaction of 26% CP and 2600 ME also reduced serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine
aminotransferase, total protein, total bilirubin, and lactate dehydrogenase levels. The interaction
of protein (24 % and 28%) and energy (2800 and 2600 ME) also reduced urea and creatinine
levels. Feeding local turkey poults on 26% crude protein and 2600 Kcal/kg ME diets improved
growth performance and did not impair their health status.
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