Dietary protein requirement of cross bred breeder turkeys for better production and reproduction traits in humid tropics

A total of 90 crossbred breeder turkeys were randomly allotted to three treatment groups with three replications each. They were reared on deep litter and fed with three dietary protein levels of 15% (standard), 17% (high) and 13% (low) with a constant metabolizable energy level of 2700 kcal per kg diet for a period of 12 weeks from 35 to 46 weeks of age. The birds fed with 15% protein had significantly (P <0.01) higher egg production. The per cent fertility was highly significant (P <0.01) in birds fed with standard protein followed by high and low protein diets. Similar trend was observed with hatchability on total eggs and fertile eggs set. Highly significant (P <0.01) results were obtained in poult weight with birds fed on high and standard level protein. The feed cost per poult was lowest in group fed with 15% protein. It may be concluded that for our tropical climate, crossbred breeder turkeys require a dietary protein level of 15% for best results with regards to egg production, reproductive traits and economics.