Feed Programmes for B.U.T.

Breeding Turkeys - Key Points

Suggested diet specifications for breeding turkeys during rearing are shown in Table 1.
Males should be fed to achieve target body weight for age before the first selection takes place
between 14 and 16 weeks (See the Technical Advice Sheet Feeding Guide for Breeder Males in
the B.U.T. Technical library at www.aviagen.com). The suggested ages to change diets are also
shown in Table 1. After selection, males can be fed ad libitum using the Grower 4 diet until 17
weeks, or later if the males are below target body weight. The low protein Holding diet can then
be introduced to reduce subsequent growth rate. Alternatively, males can be fed controlled
quantities of the Grower 4 diet after 16 weeks of age to keep growth rate close a target growth
curve (available in the TAS Feeding Guide for Breeder Males).
Females should be reared according to the body weight targets (See TAS Rearing Breeder
Females & Growth Profiles in the B.U.T. Technical library at www.aviagen.com). The ages at
which diets should be changed are shown in Table 1. The first two diets should be fed according
to the quantity guidelines rather than by age. Following these two diets a dynamic process of
weighing birds and adjusting the age of feed changes should be followed. It is essential that
regular sample weights are collected in order to make decisions on the feeding programme
according to the growth progress of the flock. Hens should be weighed weekly and decisions
made on feed changes. If the hens are ahead of target weight then they should be changed onto
the next diet sooner, or if they are under target they should be held on the higher protein diets for
longer. Examples of modifying the feeding programme are illustrated in Table 2. Depending on
health, management and temperature it may be necessary to move birds back to higher protein
levels if they begin to fall away from target.
Care should be taken to ensure that a flock continues to grow according to the target growth
curve between 24 and 29 weeks, as this is a most important period of the development process.
Peak egg production and persistency depend on continuous growth in this period, as this will
condition the flock to respond to the lighting stimulus by increasing weight prior to the first egg. If
the flock is heavier than the target at 24 weeks the percentage difference between the actual
body weight and the target weight should be calculated. This percentage should be used to
calculate an increased target body weight at 29 weeks, which the flock must then be controlled to.
Flocks should not be forced back to the original target line in this period. Slower growing flocks
should not be less than 3 per cent below the target body weight by 29 weeks. If the flock is more
than 3% below target at 25 weeks then they should be fed a higher protein diet up to lighting to
try and stimulate the growth.
Factors such as stocking density, pellet quality, temperature and ventilation may all affect growth
rate. Particular attention must be taken with flocks that will be between 16 and 29 weeks during
high temperatures in late spring and summer. If these flocks are already below the body weight
target at 16 weeks, then there is a risk of the flock being too light at 29 weeks of age unless
growth is regularly monitored and the diet adjusted according to the procedure in Table 2.
It is important that flocks continue to grow between lighting and the first egg. Typical body weight
and feed intakes during lay are provided in the breeder goals for each strain (available on the
website). During lay, pay attention to amino acid and calcium intake, particularly around peak egg
production. If feed intake is depressed by temperature or pellet quality, increase the nutrient :
energy ratio. This is normally done on a seasonal basis as shown in Table 3&4. The objective in
the first six weeks of egg production is to maximize feed intake. Any factor that has an adverse
effect on feed intake should be avoided. These factors include poor pellet quality and sudden
changes in the ingredient composition of the feed. Guides for ingredient inclusion rates and
vitamin & mineral supplement specifications are shown Tables 1, 3, 4 & 5.

Nutritional Recommendations for B.U.T. Breeding Turkeys

Table 1 - Nutrient Recommendations for B.U.T. Parent Stock in Rearing

Diet
Starter
Grower 1
Grower 2
Grower 3
Age (d)
Females
0-21
22-42
43-70
71-84
Age (week)
0-3
4-6
7-10
11-12
T/1000 birds
0.75
2.25
Age (d)
Males
0-28
29-56
56-98
Age (week)
0-4
5-8
9-14
Metabolizable
Energy
Crude Protein
Lysine
Methionine
TSAA
Tryptophan
Threonine
Arginine
digestible amino acids:
dg Lysine
dg Methionine
dg TSAA
dg Tryptophan
dg Threonine
dg Arginine
Calcium
Av. Phos
Sodium (min)
Chloride (min)
Salt (max)
Essential Fatty Acids

Grower 4
85-112
13-16

(MJ/kg)
(kcal/kg)
(kcal/lb)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)

11.6
2800
1273
25.5-28.5
1.56
0.6
1.01
0.27
1.00
1.69

11.6
2800
1273
22-25
1.19
0.47
0.84
0.22
0.78
1.29

11.6
2800
1273
18-20.5
0.97
0.4
0.7
0.17
0.63
1.11

11.6
2800
1273
15-17
0.72
0.29
0.55
0.15
0.46
0.78

98-119
15-17
see below
11.6
2800
1273
12.5-14
0.55
0.22
0.48
0.15
0.34
0.56

(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)

1.39
0.56
0.91
0.23
0.87
1.55
1.48
0.74
0.15
0.20
0.38
1.5

1.06
0.44
0.74
0.19
0.67
1.18
1.38
0.69
0.15
0.20
0.36
1.2

0.85
0.37
0.61
0.14
0.53
1.01
1.26
0.63
0.15
0.18
0.35
0.9

0.63
0.26
0.47
0.12
0.38
0.69
1.06
0.53
0.15
0.18
0.35
0.9

0.47
0.19
0.41
0.12
0.29
0.49
1.00
0.5
0.15
0.18
0.35
1.4

Pre-Breeder
113+
17+

Holding
As needed

11.6
2800
1273
10.5-12.5
0.46
0.19
0.41
0.13
0.27
0.47

119 End
18 End
see below
13.3
3200
1455
10.1
0.31
0.14
0.31
0.12
0.22
0.32

0.40
0.16
0.34
0.11
0.24
0.41
1.00
0.5
0.15
0.18
0.35
1.4

0.26
0.12
0.26
0.10
0.16
0.27
0.80
0.4
0.15
0.18
0.35
1.4

1. Crude protein levels will vary according to the ingredients available. The levels shown are for guidance only - attempt to minimize excesses of protein wherever
possible.
2. If diets with ME concentrations different to those shown are used the levels of the other nutrients must be adjusted to maintain the nutrient : energy ratios above.
3. Regular sample weighings should be taken to ensure birds are growing close to target.
4. If pellet quality is poor or management factors limit growth, diets with higher nutrient : energy ratios than these should be used.
5. Males fed ad libitum use the Holding diet after 17 weeks. Use Grower 4 for control fed males

Nutritional Recommendations for B.U.T. Breeding Turkeys

Table 2 Decision Process for Feeding Replacement Breeder Females

APPLYING DIET SHIFTING TO FLOCKS

Age Weeks 1

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

STANDARD FEED CHANGES WHEN HENS ARE CLOSE TO TARGET WEIGHT PROFILE

STARTER

GROWER 1

GROWER 2

GRWR 3

GROWER 4

PRE BRREDER

MODIFIED PROGRAM FOR HENS HEAVIER THAN TARGET - MOVING THROUGH RATIONS QUICKER

STARTER

GRWR 1

GROWER 2

GRWR 3

GROWER 4

PRE BRREDER

MODIFIED PROGRAM FOR HENS CLOSE TO TARGET BUT BECOME TOO HEAVY TOWARDS THE END

STARTER

GROWER 1

GROWER 2

GRWR 3

GROWER 4

PRE BRREDER

MODIFIED PROGRAM FOR HENS THAT ARE UNDER TARGET WEIGHT - STAY ON HIGHER PROTEIN DIETS FOR LONGER

STARTER

GROWER 1

GROWER 2

GRWR 3

GROWER 4

N.B. This programme refers only to females. Males should follow a specific programme

Nutritional Recommendations for B.U.T. Breeding Turkeys

PRE BRREDER

HOLDING

Table 3 - Nutrient Recommendations for B.U.T. Breeding Stock

For male diets and female diets used in the period up to lay, see Table 1
Nutrient
Metabolizable
Energy 1
Total Lipid
Crude Protein 3
Lysine
Methionine
M+C
Tryptophan
Threonine
Arginine
dg Lysine
dg Methionine
dg M+C
dg Tryptophan
dg Threonine
dg Arginine
Calcium
Available Phos
Sodium min
Salt
Essential fatty acids

(MJ/kg)
(kcal/kg)
(kcal/lb)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)

Breeder I
11.72
2800
1270
5-6.5
14-16
0.72
0.37
0.62
0.17
0.48
0.75
0.63
0.33
0.53
0.15
0.43
0.65
2.60
0.35
0.15
0.3-0.33
1.50

Breeder II
11.93
2850
1293
5-7
16-17.5
0.79
0.39
0.64
0.18
0.50
0.83
0.69
0.36
0.56
0.16
0.42
0.74
2.70
0.40
0.15
0.31-0.33
1.60

Breeder III
12.14 2
2900
1316
6.5-72
17.5-19
0.9
0.43
0.72
0.21
0.57
0.94
0.79
0.4
0.63
0.18
0.48
0.84
3
0.42
0.15
0.33-0.36
1.70

Use of the diets

Either
Seasonal Feeding:

For use in winter months

when the mean 24-hour
temperature is below
10C

For temperate summers,

or spring and autumn in
Mediterranean climates.

For hot summers with

maximum temperatures
consistently above 25C

Breeder I

Breeder II

Breeder III

or
Phase Feeding where
temperature exceeds 15C

0 - 12 weeks of lay

to end of lay

Autumn, Winter, Spring

Summer

Breeder II
Breeder III

Breeder I
Breeder II

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The ME levels shown are examples for each diet. The actual ME content may vary by 50
kcal/kg upwards or downwards dependant upon ingredients used.
2
Under hot conditions, aim to provide up to 20 per cent of ME from fat ME, providing pellet
quality can be maintained. A typical inclusion rate for added fat would be 5%.
3
Crude protein levels will vary according to the ingredients used. The levels shown are for
minimums for guidance only.
The specifications above assume pellet quality will not limit feed intake. If pellet quality is
poor, the nutrient : energy ratios should be increased to maintain nutrient intake.
The diets can be changed on either a seasonal or stage of production basis. In most cases
changes on a seasonal basis are preferred. In situations where feed intake is low at the
beginning of lay, it may be advisable to use a phase feeding system as shown above.

Nutritional Recommendations for B.U.T. Breeding Turkeys

Table 4 Breeder Diet Ingredient Constraints

Regular
Ingredient
Conditions
Min
Max
Maize and Wheat:
Maize
10
60

Summer
Conditions
Min
Max
20

60

The minimum inclusion rates for maize are included to prevent dramatic variation in the
inclusion rates of wheat and maize in successive formulations. If maize will become
unavailable or expensive then its use should be phased out gradually.

Wheat
Triticale
Middlings
Combined Constraint Total
Wheat Products
Sorghum
Barley
Cereals by-products:
Wheat Bran
Maize Gluten Meal
Added Fats and Oils:

Summer
Conditions
Min
Max

0
0

40
10

0
0

40
10

40

40

Extracted Rapeseed
Whole Rapeseed

0
0

0
3

0
0

0
0

60
10
20

25
0
0

50
0
15

20

50

25

50

0
0

10
10

0
0

0
0

Extracted Sunflower
Whole Sunflower
Combined Constraint Total
Sunflower Products

0
0

5
7

0
0

3
5

0
0

5
5

0
0

0
5

Peas

2.5

Animal Proteins:
Fish meal

1.5

Additions of oil should be monitored to ensure pellet quality is not adversely affected.

Added Saturated Fat

(including animal fat, where
permitted)
Combined Constraint Total
Added Fat and Oil

Vegetable Proteins:
Soya 48%
Full fat soya
Combined Constraint
Total Soya Products

Regular
Conditions
Min
Max

20
0
0

see also minimum and maximum total lipid in the nutrient constraints

Added Unsaturated Oil

Ingredient

2.5

4.5

The treatment and use of fish meal may be controlled by local regulations. These
should be checked before use.

Miscellaneous:
Molasses
Lucerne

0
0

1
2.5

0
0

Combined constraints are included in the nutrient constraints after assigning an equivalent concentration in the ingredient composition matrix.

Nutritional Recommendations for B.U.T. Breeding Turkeys

1
2.5

Table 5 Recommended Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Specifications

STARTING
GROWING
0-6 weeks
7-29 weeks
ADDED VITAMINS PER
Wheat
Maize
Wheat
Maize
KILOGRAM
Based
Based
Based
Based
Vitamin A
iu
12000
11000
8000
6000
Vitamin D3
iu
5000
5000
4000
4000
Vitamin E
iu
100
100
50
50
Vitamin K
mg
4
4
2
2
Thiamin (B1)
mg
4
4
1
1
Riboflavin (B2)
mg
10
10
5
5
Nicotinic Acid
mg
70
80
50
55
Pantothenic Acid
mg
25
28
15
16
Pyridoxine
mg
7
6
5
4
Biotin
mg
0.30
0.20
0.30
0.20
Folic Acid
mg
4
4
2
2
Vitamin B12
mg
0.04
0.04
0.02
0.02
Choline (total)
mg
1600
1600
1200
1200
ADDED TRACE MINERALS
PER KG
Copper
mg
Iron
mg
Manganese
mg
Molybdenum
mg
Selenium*
mg
Zinc
mg
Iodine
mg

10
45
120
0.5
0.4
110
3

10
40
110
0.3
80
2

LAYING
29+ weeks
Wheat
Maize
Based
Based
12000
11000
5000
5000
120
120
5
5
4
4
20
20
70
80
25
28
7
6
0.45
0.30
6
6
0.04
0.04
1600
1600

10
45
120
1.0
0.4
110
3

* 50% of the selenium should be in the organic form

Some milling processes will destroy vitamin activity, in such circumstances vitamin addition
must be increased to cover these losses.
Productive males should receive the same vitamin and trace mineral supplementation as layers.

The inclusion of coccidiostats, synthetic amino acids, antioxidants and growth promoters will vary
according to local circumstances.

Nutritional Recommendations for B.U.T. Breeding Turkeys

Aviagen Turkeys Inc.

31186 Midland Trail
East Lewisburg
West Virginia 24901
USA

Aviagen Turkeys Ltd.

Chowley Five
Chowley Oak Business Park
Tattenhall
Cheshire CH3 9GA
UK
Telephone: +44 1829 772 020
Facsimile: +44 1829 772 059
E-mail: turkeysltd@aviagen.com

Telephone: +1 304 793 2680

Facsimile: +1 304 793 2684
E-mail: turkeysinc@aviagen.com

www.aviagen.com

Nutritional Recommendations for B.U.T. Breeding Turkeys