The response of growing native turkeys to different feed colours and forms

A total number of 180 1-day old native turkey chicks were chosen in this study, for evaluating the impacts of using different attracting colours and forms of the offered feed on growth performance, carcass traits and some of health aspects, in a 3 x 2 factorial experimental design. The birds were allocated into three main groups according to feed colour (non-coloured, orange and green feeds), then each main group was divided to three subgroups corresponded to feed form (mash and crumbles feed) respectively. The obtained results indicated that feed colours and forms changed significantly the final body weight, body weight gain, feed conversion, gizzard percentage, meat juiciness, plumage conditions and mortality rate. However, there were no significant differences among the treatments in carcass traits, meat quality (percentages of heart, liver, abdominal fat colour, flavour and tenderness) and body temperature. Significant interactions of feed colours x forms groups were existed in most studied traits except in feed consumption, giblets, meat quality traits, plumage conditions and body temperature. Finally, considering the obtained results, it was observed that the native turkeys prefer green feed as crumbles over non-coloured or mash feed. Consequently, feeds for turkey chicks should be in green mash or crumbles during the growing period to maximize the profit.