Effect of feed restriction during the rearing period on the growth rate and carcass composition of turkey breeder hens

An experiment with Nicholas parent-stock turkey breeder hens was designed to determine the effect of feed restriction on body weight and carcass composition. The following six feeding programs were compared using four replicate pens of 15 or 16 poults each: ad libitum intake of conventional corn and soybean diets (Ad), skip 1 day per week (S1), skip 2 days per week (S2), 95% of ad libitum (95%), 90% of ad libitum (90%), and 85% of ad libitum (85%). At 29 weeks of age, Ad birds were heavier than restricted birds (P less than .05); there were no differences among S1, S2, and 95% or between 90% and 85% treatments. The 95%, 90%, and 85% hens did not have as much carcass fat as did Ad hens (P less than .05); there were no differences among Ad, S1, and S2 treatments. The results of the present study show that feed restriction during the rearing period reduces the growth rate of turkey breeder hens. Quantitative feed restriction (95%, 90%, and 85%) appears to be the most effective method to reduce carcass fat content.