Body composition and development measured repeatedly by computer tomography during growth in two types of turkeys

Distribution and development of fat, muscles, and bone were studied repeate dly by computer tomography from 4 to 17 wk of age in two commercial strains of turkeys (BUT-9 and Nicholas) of both sexes. Generally, the proportion o f total fat and meat increased and bone decreased significantly throughout the experimental period for both strains and sexes. When compared at the sa me age or body weight, BUT-9 tended to have a higher percentage of meat tha n did Nicholas (0 to 3 percentage units). From 8 to 17 wk of age, Nicholas showed higher fat percentage and lower bone percentage than BUT-9. Based on this study, regardless of weight at slaughtering, BUT-9 should be preferre d. Because males had a significantly higher body weight gain and higher per centage of meat from 8 wk of age, males should be used in production to fit the market for high slaughter weights with large pieces of meat. Because f emales had a higher meat percentage at young ages compared with males, but showed an earlier fattening and lower weight gain, females should preferabl y be slaughtered at lower live weights. Computer tomography can be consider ed an appropriate but expensive method to study body composition and develo pment in turkeys.