Production and Carcass Characteristics of the Large White Turkey

Abstract

Food intake and body weight of male and female Large White turkeys fed commercial diets were recorded each 14 days to 168 days of age. Observations are expressed as means from four replicate pens of each sex. At these weighing times, 5 male and 5 female turkeys housed in comparable pens were killed and numerous carcass and visceral characteristics recorded. Included were organ weights and commercial cut-up yields. Carcass and offal samples were analyzed for moisture, crude protein, and ether extractable fat. The data are presented as a base for model building and development of production oriented prediction equations.