APPRAISAL OF ENERGY AND PROTEIN REQUIREMENTS OF GROWING LOCAL TURKEYS (8 WEEKS TO 12 WEEKS OF AGE) REARED IN HOT HUMID TROPICS.

Abstract

The feeding trial was conducted to appraise the protein and energy requirement of growing turkeys (8-12 weeks) reared in hot humid tropics. A total of one hundred and thirty-five (135) 8 weeks old turkeys were used and they were randomly divided into nine experimental groups consisting of 15 turkey poults and replicated three times with 5 poults each. Each treatment group was balanced for their sexes. The groups were randomly assigned to 9 formulated diets in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement involving three crude protein levels (23%, 24% and 26%) and three energy levels (2700kcal/kg ME, 2800 kcal/kg ME and 2900 kcal/kg ME).  The diets were designated thus; T1: 20% CP+ 2900 ME; T2: 20% CP+ 3000 ME; T3: 20% CP+ 3100 ME; T4: 21% CP+ 2900 ME; T5: 21% CP+ 3000 ME; T6: 21% CP+ 3100 ME; T7: 22% CP+ 2900 ME; T8: 22% CP+ 3000 ME and T9: 22% CP+ 3100 ME. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan's New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) was used to separate the means.  Results showed that there were significant (p<0.05) differences in feed cost per kg feed (PPKF) feed cost (FC) and feed cost per kg gain (FCKG). The results showed that interaction of 21%cp and 3000ME had least FCKG (₦359.45).  This study therefore recommends energy of 3000kcal/kg and protein of 21% CP for turkeys of 8weeks to 12weeks of age in a hot humid tropic.