FEED GORGING AND EXTENDED WATER RESTRICTION DO NOT PRODUCE KNOCKDOWN IN MALE TURKEYS FED MONENSIN

A study was conducted to determine the effects of feed restriction wit h subsequent gorging during extended water restriction on 27- to 57-d- old toms fed excess monensin. Four treatments were factorially arrange d with two levels of dietary monensin (0 and 140 ppm) and two feeding- watering regimens (ad libitum and restricted). Ad libitum birds had fu ll access to feed and water but restricted birds only had access to fe ed from 0800 to 1200 h daily. A 24-h water restriction regimen was imp osed biweekly from 28 to 42 d and a 36-h water restriction regimen was imposed biweekly from 43 to 57 d. The restricted feeding and watering regimen decreased (P <.01) feed intake, weight gain, and feed efficie ncy. Excess monensin had no effect (P > . 10) on feed intake regardles s of feeding and watering regimen. Monensin had no effect on the weigh t gain and feed efficiency of ad libitum birds, but monensin exacerbat ed the decrease on gain (monensin by regimen, P < .01) and feed effici ency (monensin by regimen, P < .09) induced by feed and water restrict ion. No treatment-related abnormalities were observed during either in terim or terminal necropsies. Neither clinical signs of ionophore toxi city nor pathologic findings attributed to monensin treatment were obs erved during the study. Based on these observations, feed gorging and water restriction will not adversely affect the health status of, or i ncrease the mortality rate of, 4- to 8-wk-old male turkeys fed monensi n.