The effects of stocking density on turkey tom performance and environment to 16 weeks of age

Stocking density (SD) of turkey toms (n = 2,868 Nicholas Select) was evaluated in 2 16-wk trials. Poults were randomly allocated to 1 of 8 independently ventilated rooms (6.71 × 10.06 m) for each trial, to reach a final target SD of 30, 40, 50, or 60 kg/m2. Air quality was monitored (carbon dioxide and ammonia) throughout the trial, and ventilation was adjusted to balance these parameters across all rooms. Within each trial, body weight and feed consumption were recorded (0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 wk of age). Body weight gain and mortality-corrected feed-to-gain ratio (F: Gm) were calculated for each 4-wk interval. Uniformity was assessed at 12 and 16 wk of age (20 birds per replicate). Mortality and culled birds were recorded daily and necropsied to determine cause of death or illness. Room temperature was recorded hourly, and litter moisture and temperature (trial 2) were evaluated weekly from 12 to 16 wk. A 1-way ANOVA was performed to evaluate the effects of SD on room temperature. Regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between SD and all other measured variables (linear, Proc Reg; quadratic, Proc RSReg in SAS 9.4). Differences were considered significant when P ≤ 0.05. Body weight decreased as SD increased at 12 (quadratic) and 16 wk (linear). Body weight gain decreased in the last 4 wk (12 to 16, linear) and over the course of the trial (0 to 12, quadratic; 0 to 16, linear) as SD increased. Feed consumption demonstrated a linear relationship with increasing SD, increasing from week 4 to 8 and decreasing from week 12 to 16. The F: Gm ratio increased linearly with increasing SD for all time periods beginning at week 4. Flock uniformity and total percent mortality were unaffected by SD. Litter moisture demonstrated a quadratic effect and litter temperature increased (quadratic) as SD increased. Overall, increasing SD negatively impacted aspects of bird performance, including body weight, body weight gain, and feed efficiency. Feed consumption was negatively impacted later in production (week 12 to 16). Finally, overall mortality and uniformity were not affected.