WEIGHT-GAIN, CARCASS YIELD, AND COMPOSITION OF LARGE WHITE MALE TURKEYS REARED TO 28 WEEKS OF AGE ON GROWING AND FINISHING DIETS WITH VARYING LEVELS OF DIETARY-PROTEIN

Male, Large White turkeys were reared to 28 wk of age on diets that varied in protein level after 16 wk of age. The diet composition had little effect on weight gain and feed utilization for birds evaluated at 20, 24, and 28 wk of age. The yield and composition of carcass parts were also affected very little by the dietary treatment. Body weight gain over time was fairly consistent to 28 wk of age. Feed utilization declined, especially between 24 and 28 wk of age. Age had a significant effect on the meat yield of the carcass parts. The percentage yield of breast meat was markedly increased from 20 to 28 wk of age, while the percentage yield of thigh and drumstick meat was reduced. While the absolute yield of edible protein increased with age, there was a noticeable increase in fat deposition, especially in the breast and thigh meat with birds that were 28 wk old versus 24 wk old.