The effect of compensatory growth on carcass characteristics of male turkeys

Male turkeys were fed for ad libitum intake dietary levels of protein and amino acids at 74% of controls from 6 to 12 wk of age. The treatment in which birds were returned to control rations from 12 to 20 wk of age was designated as the low compensatory plane dietary regimen. Turkeys given diets with protein and amino acids at levels 20% above those in control diets from 13 to 20 wk of age were referred to as the high compensatory plane dietary regimen. By 20 wk of age, realimentation had successfully resulted in live body weights comparable with those of controls, but carcass weights were significantly lower in birds fed the low and high compensatory plane diets. Percentage yield of drums, wings, shell, as well as skin and fat did not differ among dietary treatments. Lowered protein and amino acid consumption from 6 to 12 wk of age caused lighter breast and breast muscle weights at 20 wk of age. The percentage yield of breast and breast muscle declined, and thigh and thigh muscle increased for the birds fed the low compensatory plane diet when compared with the controls. The birds fed the low compensatory plane diet were placing a greater proportion of their weight gains during realimentation on thigh muscle rather than breast muscle deposition. Compensatory growth did not affect the absolute length or width of the tarsometatarsus or testes weights at 20 wk of age.