The effect of beak trimming on two strains of commercial tom turkeys. 1. Performance traits

Beak trimming of turkeys. 2. Effects of arc beak trimming on weight gain, feed intake, feed wastage, and feed conversion

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of arc beak trimming on feed consumption, weight gain, and feed wastage in males and females from two large-bodied strains and one medium-bodied strain of turkeys. Birds were placed in wire-floored battery cages from 3 to 8 wk of age and feed intake, weight gains, and feed spilled into dropping pans were recorded for each of the 5 wk of each trial. Feed conversion was calculated as feed consumed divided by weight gained. Sex by beak trimming interactions were not found. Beak trimming reduced feed wastage of the two large-bodied strains, but did not affected feed wastage of the medium-bodied strain, which did not consume as much feed as the large-bodied strains. The results of this study support the hypothesis that beak trimming reduces feed wastage of large-bodied turkeys.

The effect of beak trimming on two strains of commercial tom turkeys. 2. Behavior traits

The influence of beak trimming of two strains of commercial male turkeys (Strains A and B) on behavior during the growing period was investigated. Poults were either left with beaks intact or arc beak trimmed at hatching. Strain by beak treatment interactions were generally lacking, indicating that these two strains responded similarly. Beak trimming did not influence tameness (as measured by response to a novel object at 16 wk), fearfulness (as measured by tonic immobility response at 18 wk), or resting behavior from 3 to 15 wk of age. When compared to birds with intact beaks, birds with trimmed beaks spent more time standing during the week of hatching and were observed eating more often at 2 wk of age. Strain B birds were more tame, less fearful, and rested more at 8 and 11 wk of age than Strain A birds. Results of the current study indicate that the influence of arc beak trimming at hatching on behavior of male turkeys at hatching did not appear to have a lasting negative impact on their well-being.

Effect of altering the early dietary protein level on males from two strains of commercial turkeys

Two trials were conducted in which male turkeys from commercial Strains A and B were fed diets calculated to contain 80, 100, or 120% of recommended levels of protein from 1 to 8 wk of age and recommended levels of protein at other ages. Feeding reduced protein diets decreased 8-wk BW of both strains. No difference in BW, however, was evident at 17 wk in either strain. Dietary protein level generally did not influence overall feed to gain ratios, feed intake, or behaviors of male turkeys from these two strains. Effects of dietary protein level on walking ability were inconclusive. The results of the present study indicate that it may be possible to reduce early dietary protein levels with savings in feed cost for male turkeys with no adverse effects on growth or feed conversion at market age.

The effect of altering feed and water location and of activity on growth, performance, behavior, and walking ability of hens from two strains of commercial turkeys

An experiment was designed to determine the influence of changing feed and water location and of increased activity on growth, performance, and behavior of turkey hens from commercial strains. The three treatment regimens consisted of locating feed and water at opposite ends of the pen with additional exercise (birds were walked around the pen approximately 10 min 5 d/wk); locating feed and water at opposite ends of the pen with no additional exercise imposed; and locating feed and water in close proximity to one another with no additional exercise imposed. Treatment generally had no effects on performance traits, walking ability scores, or behaviors. Body weight was influenced by a strain by treatment interaction at all ages measured. Strain B hens gained more weight in pens with increased exercise, whereas Strain A hens tended to gain more weight in pens without additional exercise.

Beak trimming of turkeys. 1. Effects of three methods of beak trimming on body weight and mortality of six genetic lines

An experiment was designed to compare BW and mortality of turkeys when three methods of beak trimming were utilized. Turkeys from six genetic lines were assigned to three beak trimming methods: arc beak trimming at hatching, hot-blade block trimming at 13 d, or hot-blade top-beak-only trimming at 13 d. Beak trimming method influenced 8-wk BW of three lines of females, but did not affect female BW at 16 wk. Beak trimming method influenced 8-wk BW of males from one line and 16-wk BW of a different line. There were no effects of method of beak trimming on 20-wk BW of either males or females from any line. Neither lines nor beak treatments differed in mortality.