Effect of diet and population density on male turkeys under various environmental conditions. 1. Turkey growth and health performance

ABSTRACT The performance of 1,312 male market turkeys (Large White, Nicholas strain) from 0 to 20 wk of age fed diets varying in feed form and energy level was measured under two stocking densities (21 or.46 m2 per bird) and four lighting and temperature programs. The four diets were 1) corn and soybean meal with 1 % supplemental fat, mash (CSM); 2) as 1, pelleted (CSP); 3) as Diet 1 but with 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8% supplemental fat during 0 to 4,4 to 8,8 to 12,12 to 16, and 16 to 20 wk of age, respectively (CSF); and 4) as Diet 1 but with barley included at 0,20,35,50, and 65 % during the respective 4-wk age periods (CSB). The four light and temperature programs were 1) Environment A with intermittent light [4[2 h light (L):4 h dark (D)]] in combination with cycling temperature at 7 and 21 C during light and dark photoperiod, respectively; Environment B with intermittent light, 21 C; Environment C with continuous light (18L:6D) and cycling temperature of 7 to 21C; and Environment D with intermittent light, 7 C. Lighting and temperature programs started at 1 and 4 wk of age, respectively. Body weights at 20 wk of age decreased (P<05) with increasing temperature (13.86 versus 12.26 kg for Environments D and B, respectively) with cycling temperature intermediate (13.51 kg for Environment A). Intermittent light (P<.05) improved BW and feed conversion by 3.4 and 2.0%, respectively, compared with continuous light. Rearing males at.21 m2 per bird versus.46 m per bird decreased weight (P<05) by 5.5%