Effect of Feeding Systems on Growth and Feed Conversion of Several Crosses and Strains of Turkeys

Abstract SINCE feed represents the greatest single cost in the production of market turkeys, turkey producers are interested in keeping the ratio of feed costs to market price as favorable as possible. In many of the major turkey production areas, large quantities of local or home-grown grains, especially corn, are often available at relatively low cost. Therefore, this provides an opportunity to reduce feed costs by using a feeding system which allows the turkey to consume the maximum amount of corn that is consistent with optimum growth and feed conversion. In order to achieve this purpose, it is necessary to provide a concentrate high in protein and other essential nutrients along with the grain(s). The system of feeding high protein concentrates and grains ad libitum has received considerable attention in the past (Hammond and Marsden, 1937; Carver et al., 1938; Barrett et al., 1939; Asmundson and Jukes, 1939; Milbey et al., …