The effect of varied brooding temperature on the incidence of leg weakness and subsequent performance of turkeys.

Male Nicholas turkeys were used in a study designed to determine the effects of high, moderate, and low brooding temperature on the occurrence of leg abnormalities during a subsequent 20 week grow-out period. Performance data were also obtained. There were no significant differences among the poults brooded under any of the three temperature regimens in the incidence of leg weakness or mortality. Body weights and feed/gain ratios measured at 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20 weeks of age were similar regardless of brooding temperature.