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

Abstract

Large White female turkeys of a commercial variety were used to determine the effects of low dietary protein during the pre-breeder period (12 to 32 weeks of age) on subsequent reproductive performance. Diets containing 10, 12, 14, and 17% protein were fed from 12 weeks or 20 weeks to 32 weeks of age. At 32 weeks of age, all females were fed a 17% protein breeder diet. Reproductive performance was measured for a 24-week production period. Pre-breeder feed consumption and body weight gain from 12 to 32 weeks of age increased with increased dietary protein until diets contained 14% protein. Similar results were obtained when females were fed varying protein levels from 20 to 32 weeks of age. Egg production also showed an increase with increased pre-breeder dietary protein level until diets contained 14% protein. Ten fewer eggs per hen were obtained from females previously fed the 10% protein diet than those fed the 14% (20 to 32 weeks) and 17% protein diets. Pre-breeder dietary protein level did not affect age at sexual maturity, egg weight, specific gravity or shell thickness of eggs, mortality or growth, and feed consumption of progeny. Based upon the results of this study, female breeder turkeys require at least 14% protein to 20 weeks of age and 14% from 20 to 32 weeks of age for optimum egg production.

Body Weight Changes During the Reproductive Period in Four Strains of Turkey Hens

“…During the first egg production season, turkey hens fed ad libitum during the growth, holding, and reproductive phases have been reported to either lose (Borron et al, 1974;Cherms et al, 1976;Thomason et al, 1976;McCartney et al, 1977;Krueger et al, 1978;Potter et al, 1978;Menge et al, 1979;Owings and Sell, 1980;Rosebrough et al, 1980) or gain body weight (Balloun, 1974;Borron et al, 1974;Woodard et al, 1974;Andrews and Morrow, 1978;Meyer et al, 1980;Rosebrough et al, 1980;Nestor et al, 1981) during the reproductive period. Following a forced molting, a gain (Ferguson et al, 1975) or loss in body weight (Thomason et al, 1976) has been reported during the second production period.…”

“…Flocks housed in conventional floor pens which initiate egg production in cool weather and continue egg production into hot weather (seasonal flocks) normally lose weight during the reproductive period (Cherms et al, 1976;McCartney et al, 1977;Potter et al, 1978;Owings and Sell, 1980). Conversely, flocks housed in conventional floor pens which initiate egg production in warm or hot weather and continue egg production into cool weather (out of season flocks) gain weight during the reproductive period (Meyer et al, 1980) or maintain relatively constant weight (Krueger et al, 1978).…”

“…Nutrient restriction during the growing and/or holding period which is severe enough to reduce body weight by 10% or greater at housing results in body weight increases, regardless of environmental temperature, during the egg production period (Balloun, 1974;Borron et al, 1974;Jones et al, 1976;Potter et al, 1978;Andrews and Morrow, 1978;Meyer et al, 1980;Owings and Sell, 1980). Body weight and reproductive capacity of turkey breeder hens is controlled by the genetic potential of the individual hens as well as their nutritional and environmental histories.…”

Gender-related amino acid intake of adult wild Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa)

“…Meyer et al (1980aMeyer et al ( , 1980b reported in adult turkeys that the low level of protein intake during the pre-breeding period affected negatively the egg production while spermatozoa concentration was not affected. Also, Hipes and Hepp (1995) referred that females depend entirely on exogenous sources of protein to satisfy the protein requirements of clutch production while the use of nutrient reserves by males may help them meet their reproductive commitment.…”

Effect of Restricted Feeding from 6 to 20 Weeks of Age on Reproductive Performance of Turkeys

“…Meyer et al (1977) also reported significantly reduced egg production but it was during the latter phases of the laying cycle with hens that had received 10 or 12% protein diets from 12 through 32 weeks of age.…”