EFFECT OF ALTERING THE EARLY DIETARY-PROTEIN LEVEL ON MALES FROM 2 STRAINS OF COMMERCIAL TURKEYS

Two trials were conducted in which male turkeys from commercial Strain s a and B were fed diets calculated to contain 80, 100, or 120% of rec ommended levels of protein from 1 to 8 wk of age and recommended level s of protein at other ages. Feeding reduced protein diets decreased 8- wk BW of both strains. No difference in BW, however, was evident at 17 wk in either strain. Dietary protein level generally did not influenc e overall feed to gain ratios, feed intake, or behaviors of male turke ys from these two strains. Effects of dietary protein level on walking ability were inconclusive. The results of the present study indicate that it may be possible to reduce early dietary protein levels with sa vings in feed cost for male turkeys with no adverse effects on growth or feed conversion at market age.