Responses of Grower Turkeys Exposed to Different Graded Levels of Protein and Amino Acids

Abstract

Introduction: Performance characteristics, carcass yields, organ proportions, and economic aspects of production are statistical indicators that can be utilized to assess the protein and amino acid ratios responsible for reducing ammonia emissions in turkey waste, while simultaneously optimizing yield outcomes at the lowest feasible costs. The present study aimed to accurately identify the optimal combination of crude protein (CP) and amino acids to enhance performance and carcass yield, reduce production costs, and minimize ammonia excretion.
Materials and methods: A total of 360 grower turkeys were randomly assigned to a completely randomized design. In the present study, each treatment group consisted of four sub-replicate groups, each containing ten poults per replicate. The local turkeys were assigned to nine different treatment diets, including T1 with 22% CP, 0.1% methionine, and 0.2% lysine, T2 with 22% CP, 0.2% methionine, and 0.4% lysine, T3 with 22% CP, 0.3% methionine, and 0.6% lysine, T4 with 20% CP, 0.1% methionine, and 0.2% lysine, T5 with 20% CP, 0.2% methionine, and 0.4% lysine, T6 with 20% CP, 0.3% methionine, and 0.6% lysine, T7 with 18% CP, 0.1% methionine, and 0.2% lysine, T8 with 18% CP, 0.2% methionine, and 0.4% lysine, and T9 with 18% CP, 0.3% methionine, and 0.6% lysine.
Results: The current findings indicated that the final weight and weight gain in Group T3 were significantly higher than those of the turkeys fed other treatment groups. Turkeys in Group T3 had the best feed conversion ratio, indicating that they utilized diet 3 more effectively for weight gain compared to the other diets. The carcass weight of T3 was significantly higher than that of the other groups, while turkeys in group T7 had a better dress percentage. Carcass protein was significantly higher in T9, while energy content was significantly higher in T3 and T6 compared to other treatments. Group T3 exhibited significantly higher revenue and gross margin compared to all other treatment groups.
Conclusion: The levels of amino acids and proteins used in the present study improved growth parameters, carcass characteristics, and organ proportions of turkeys.