Effects of diets formulated on an all-plant protein basis or including animal protein on foot pad health and performance in fattening turkeys

This study aimed to evaluate potential effects of two different diet formulations, which varied in terms of protein ingredients, on the development and severity of FPD in fattening turkeys. Two consecutive trials were performed using wood shavings as a common bedding material. In each trial, the birds were divided into 2 groups with almost an identical chemical diet composition. However, one group was fed a plant protein diet, based on wheat, yellow corn, soybean meal and rape seed meal. In the second group a mixed protein diet, based on wheat, yellow corn, soybean meal (low levels), fish meal, haemoglobin powder and pea protein was given. At the end of the fattening period in each trial, the foot pads were assessed (600 foot pads in the first trial, 573 foot pads in the second trial) according to MAYNE et al. (2007). Excreta and litter samples were collected weekly (second trial) to determine moisture content. The results revealed that FPD severity was significantly higher for turkeys fed all-vegetable diets (5.85 and 4.65 in trials 1 and 2, respectively) compared with those fed diets including animal protein (3.50 and 3.59 in trials 1 and 2, respectively). Feeding birds mixed protein diets resulted in a reduction of foot pad lesions by similar to 40% and similar to 25% for trials 1 and 2), respectively. Prevalence of high FPD scores (first trial) was 59.9% for turkeys fed plant protein diets vs. 0.650% for those fed mixed protein diets. In the first trial, no significant differences were found in body weight between the diets at the end of fattening period. However, in the second trial a significant difference was observed at the end of the trial between the diets (10383 g for birds fed plant protein vs. 10075 g for those fed mixed protein diets). As a result of this study it is assumed that feed formulation affects excreta/litter DM content (72.3 vs. 76.5%) and hence markedly affects the severity of FPD in fattening turkeys.