Comparative performance of different feeding systems for raising turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) in the rural areas of Bangladesh

Abstract

Turkey is a newly introduced poultry species which has recently been considered as one of the important sources of the leanest meats and eggs for human consumption. This study aimed to investigate if different feeding regimens had different effects on the productive performance of turkey. A total of 18 day-old unsexed turkey poults were divided into three different dietary treatment groups designated as T1 (Commercial broiler feed + cabbage leaves), T2 (Wheat and rice polish + cabbage leaves) and T3 (Maize and rice polish + cabbage leaves) having six poults per treatment. Irrespective of sex, each bird in every pen was considered as the replicate and measurements were taken individually. Each group was offered equal amounts of feeds. The feed intake was recorded daily and the body weight was measured at two weeks interval up to the 8th week. Different dietary treatments exhibited significantly different live weight (LW), average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (FE) at the end of the 2nd (p<0.01), 4th (p<0.001), 6th (p<0.001) and the 8th week (p<0.001). Supplementation of commercial broiler feed with cabbage leaves (T1) substantially improved (p<0.001) final body weight, ADG and FE throughout the trial period compared with birds in the other groups. However, the maximum profitability calculated in terms of net profit per kg of live bird was recorded in the T2 group (94.6 BDT/kg live bird) close to T1 group (94.5 BDT/kg live bird) and the least profitability was recorded in the T3 group (82.6 BDT/kg live bird) due to an extremely lower live weight gain of the birds regardless of the least cost of feed used in T3. Therefore, commercial broiler pellet, as well as traditional wheat-rice polish-vegetable based feeding systems, may be suggested for turkey production in the rural areas of Bangladesh.