AGE-TARGETED INTUBATION RATIOS FOR ACCURATE TRUE METABOLISABLE ENERGY ASSAYS IN TURKEYS

Abstract

This study was carried out to establish optimal ratios for intubating cereal grains (maize, sorghum, wheat, and acha) mixed with water in eight-week-old (n=40), sixteen-week-old (n=40), and twenty four-week-old (n=50) turkeys. Various ratios were tested at each age, ranging from 15, 20, 25 and 30g feed /50, 60, 70 and 80mL of water respectively for 8 weeks old turkeys; 20, 25, 30 and 35g feed / 60, 70, 80 and 90mL water respectively for 16 weeks old turkeys; 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55g feed/ 90, 100, 110, 120 and 130mL water respectively for 24 weeks old turkeys. Each feed-to-water mixture was intubated into the crop of turkeys using a 150ml syringe fitted with a Tygon tube. Crop filling, regurgitation, and overall discomfort were immediately monitored. At eight weeks, 20g/60mL proved optimal, ensuring adequate crop filling without discomfort. Sixteen weeks old turkeys required 30g/80mL for proper filling, while twenty-four weeks old turkeys needed 50g/120mL. This study provides age-specific feed-to-water ratios for accurate intubation in true metabolisable energy assays for turkeys.