Environmental temperature and Turkey performance: the use of diets containing increased levels of protein and use of a choice-feeding system

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Abstract
Female turkeys kept under an 18 or 25.degree. C environmental temperature regime were fed from 72 d [day] of age until the end of the experiment at 100 d of age on 1 of 5 diets each containing a different level of protein (178, 209, 240, 272, 303 g/kg). Further birds under each temperature regime were offered a high-protein concentrate (488 g protein/kg) free-choice with whole wheat. Turkeys which received the conventional diets (178 or 209 g protein/kg) grew significantly faster and consumed food at a significantly greater rate under the 18.degree. C regime compared with the 25.degree. C regime. Turkeys which received diets 4, 5 or 6 at 18.degree. C or diets 5 or 6 at 25.degree. C exhibited the highest growth rates. Treatment means for body weight, at 72 d prior to feeding the experimental diets, and at the end of the experiment for each diet were markedly lower for the 25.degree. C regime. The choice-fed birds apparently overconsumed protein to a considerable extent compared with those fed the 178 or 209 g protein/kg diets. The choice-fed turkey appears to meet its lowered dietary energy requirement at higher temperatures by reducing intake of the whole cereal.

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