Effect of Lighting on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Bronze Turkeys Reared in Intensive Conditions

Authors: TURGAY ŞENGÜL, YUSUF KONCA, AHMET YILDIZ

Abstract: The present study was designed to determine the effects of lighting regimes on the growth performances and carcass characteristics of Bronze turkeys reared in intensive conditions. Turkeys were reared under three lighting regimes (group 1, 12 h; group 2, 18 h; and group 3, 23 h.). In the experiment, the live weights of the turkeys (male+female) in groups 1, 2 and 3 were found to be 4578±142, 4630±131 and 4942±139 g respectively at the end of a 16-week period. The live weights during the 16-wk period were found to be affected (P<0.01) by the lighting regimes. The cumulative feed consumptions were found to be significant higher in group 3 than in the other groups. The cumulative feed consumptions of turkeys in groups 1, 2 and 3 were 11312±63, 11491±222 and 12417±60 g respectively. The differences between these values were found to be significant (P<0.05). The cumulative feed efficiency ratios of the turkeys were not affected significantly by the lighting regimes (P>0.05). These values for groups 1, 2 and 3 were found to be 2.50±0.02, 2.51±0.05 and 2.54±0.01 respectively. Carcass weights and carcass percentages (male+female) were not affected significantly by the lighting regimes. (P>0.05). These values were 3347±152, 3389±141 and 3554±197 g; and 71±1, 70±3 and 71±1 % for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Twelve hours lighting per day proved to be enough for the Bronze turkeys. However, 23 hours lighting per day appeared to have no important negative effect on the performance of the turkeys.

Keywords: Turkey, lighting, growth performance, carcass characteristics.

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