A low-protein diet for turkey poults

A series of studies was conducted to determine whether a low-protein corn-soybean meal diet would support growth of turkeys similar to that supported by a standard diet. Three treatments administered in a series of experiments included: basal diet with essential amino acids (EAA), NaHCO3, and glutamic acid added at the expense of sucrose to bring the total protein up to 28% (+GLU); basal diet with EAA, NaHCO3, and sucrose added to bring the total protein content to 22% (+SUC); and a 28% crude protein standard diet that meets or exceeds NRC recommendations using intact protein sources (ST). Essential amino acid levels used in the experimental diets were based on an estimated ideal protein ratio for turkeys. The basal diet contained 18.4% intact CP from corn and soybean meal. All treatments were isocaloric with 3,172 to 3,192 kcal/kg. In all trials, the birds receiving +GLU and +SUC had adequate growth and feed:gain responses compared to birds receiving ST. The low protein basal diet with appropriate amino acid supplementation will allow for amino acid titrations to determine digestible amino acid requirements.