FATTENING PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS TRAITS OF MALE TURKEYS RAISED IN DIFFERENT STOCKING DENSITIES

This study was conducted to determine fattening performance, survival and carcass traits of toms which belong to the strain of British United Turkeys (BUT) Big 6, raised in different stocking densities. In order to determine the effect of stocking density on performance, two experimental groups were designed. The floor space allowances were 3 toms/m2 in Group 1 and 4 toms/nr in Group II. In total, 3900 toms in Group I and 3000 toms in Group II were used. Final weight at 124 days of age were 15.34 kg for Group I and 14.41 kg for Group II. The effect of stocking density on live weight was not significant for the first 8 weeks. However, it was significant between 9 and 18 weeks of age. and Group I had higher live weight than Group II (P<0.05). Total feed consumptions and conversion ratios were 40.45 kg and 2.64 for Group I and 37.22 kg and 2.58 for Group II. Survival rates of Group I and II were 94.3% and 86.3%, respectively. The effect of stocking density on survival rate was not significant from 0 to 96 days of growth, but it was significant after 105 days of age. The hot carcass weights were 11958.3 g and 11154.7 g. hot dressing percentages were 77.55 % and 77.10% for Group I and II, respectively.