Influence of dietary protein during the pre-breeder period on subsequent reproductive performance of large white turkeys. 1. Growth, feed consumption, and female-sex-limited reproductive traits.

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.