The relationship between various indices of carcass growth and development and reproduction in turkey hens

Growth and carcass development measures were compared in turkey hens from a line selected for egg production (E line) and a line selected for BW at 16 wk (F line). Hens in both lines reached their maximal BW 4 wk after photostimulation. Maximal BW in F line hens was 20% greater than their respective BW after 89 days of production compared with only a 12% difference in E line hens. In both lines, there was a decline in BW through 49 days of production but no further decreases at 89 days. The same trend was observed for both the absolute or relative weights of the abdominal fat pad. The weight of the oviduct was near maximal size in E line hens near the onset of production, whereas it continued to increase in size in F line hens through 49 days of production. The same was true for liver weight in F line hens, whereas in E line hens liver size continued to increase throughout the experiment. Carcass DM and lipid were higher and carcass protein lower in F line compared with E line hens near the onset of lay. In a second experiment, heavy weight hens were fed the standard Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center breeder diet or a diet with supplemental fat and increased ME. There were no significant diet effects on BW or egg production, but hens fed the high-fat, high-energy diet did have increased carcass protein (percentage DM; P < .08).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)