Dietary Restrictions During Adolescence and Subsequent Reproductive Performance of Turkey Breeder Males

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of early dietary restriction of protein and/or energy on the subsequent reproductive ability of the tom. One hundred 8-week old Large White turkey toms (April hatch) were placed at random into four floor pens of 25 each and fed the following diets: group 1, 20.6% protein with 2,4 Mcal. M.E./kg. diet 8-12 weeks, 15.3% protein with 2.68 Mcal. 12-16 weeks, 10.4% protein with 2.85 Mcal. 16-24 weeks; group 2, 20.3% protein with 2.9 Mcal. 8-12 weeks, 14.8% protein with 2.98 Mcal. 12-16 weeks, 9.8% protein with 3.27 Mcal. 16-24 weeks; group 3, 22% protein with 2.4 Mcal. 8-12 weeks, 18.9% protein with 2.57 Mcal. 12-16 weeks, 16.3% protein with 2.81 Mcal. 16-24 weeks; group 4 (control), 22% protein with 2.91 Mcal. 8-12 weeks, 19% protein with 3.03 Mcal. 12-16 weeks, 15.9% protein with 3.17 Mcal. 16-24 weeks. Beginning with the 25th weeks all toms received a 14.3% protein diet with 2.8 Mcal. The restriction of energy significantly reduced the percentage of males producing semen, and the restriction of energy significantly reduced the percentage of males producing semen, and the restriction of energy and both protein and energy significantly depressed semen volume per male in comparison with the average produced by the control males. Other reproductive traits were not affected by early dietary controls.

Influence of Dietary Protein during the Pre-Breeder Period on Subsequent Reproductive Performance of Large White Turkeys

“…These results are supported by the findings of Voitle et al (1972) and Menge and Frobish (1976) who also reported no effect of low dietary protein on semen characteristics.…”

“…Earlier research had shown that when feed intake and/or dietary protein are no longer restricted and the males were offered a "standard" protein diet, they ultimately weighed the same as control males by the end of the breeding period (Voitle et al, 1972;Miller et Potter et al, 1978) and, in one case, even 6% heavier (Menge and Frobish, 1976). However, in studies where males remained on mechanical restricted feeding regimes throughout the breeder period, final body weights were lower than those of the controls (Woodard et al, 1976;Krueger et al, 1977).…”

“…Thus, it seems evident that lower protein diets will cause a reduction in feed consumption and should be considered an effective way to reduce feed costs when growing replacement breeder males. Menge and Frobish (1976) noted that the feeding of a low protein diet (9.8%) during the growing period (8 to 24 weeks) resulted in a 19% reduction in feed consumption. However, when the birds fed restricted dietary protein were put on the control diet during the holding and reproductive periods, total feed consumption was the same as for the controls.…”

“…Wicker et ah (1972) fed turkeys 8% protein, Voitle et al (1972) fed 10% protein, Menge and Frobish (1976) fed 9.8% protein, and Miller et al (1977) fed 14% protein diets during the pre-breeder period. Control diets utilized in the experiments cited above contained 20.0, 21.0, 15.9, and 18.0% protein, respectively.…”