An Improved Free Amino Acid Diet for the Growing Turkey

Abstract

EARLIER findings from this laboratory (Snetsinger et al., 1962) indicated that a protein-free diet containing an amino acid mixture based on chicken egg white protein was capable of supporting growth of 6 grams per poult per day. This was acheived by utilizing all l-forms in the amino acid mixture with the exception of dl-methionine. Increasing the protein equivalent (PEq) level from 20 to 25% did not result in an improved rate of gain and a further increase to 30% resulted in 100% mortality. Dean and Scott (1962, 1965) have developed a free amino acid diet for chicks which will support normal growth. Gains of 12–14 grams per chick per day were equivalent to growth of chicks fed a natural control diet. The present investigation was conducted to compare the Minnesota (turkey) and the Illinois (chick) patterns of amino acids at different dietary nitrogen levels for the growing turkey, to…