Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Objective: To test the hypothesis that a certain percent of Napier grass could be used as a replacement of concentrate for economic production of turkey. Method/Analysis: The feeding trial was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of one control and two concentrate feed replacement treatments. Three treatments were: T1 = 100% concentrate (control), T2 = 75% concentrate + 25% grass and T3 = 50% concentrate + 50% grass. Requirement of concentrate and Napier grass were determined and supplied on the basis of Dry Matter (DM). Turkeys of all treatments were fed with the feed of same composition. Findings: Significant (P<0.05) difference was observed in daily and weekly concentrate intake among the treatment groups. Napier grass intake also differed significantly (P<0.05). Similar final body weight was found in T1 (2006 ± 102.5 g) and T2 (2008 ± 77.5 g). Feed conversion efficiency was better (P<0.05) for T2 (2.54 ± .01) and T3 (2.63 ± 0.05) than T1 (3.50 ± 0.05). Survivability rate was higher (P<0.05) in T2 (100%) and T3 (100%) than T1 (93%). Production cost and profitability per turkey differed significantly (P<0.05). Although total revenue was similar in T1 and T2 ; net farm income, production index, rate of return on investment and capital turnover were significantly (P<0.05) higher in T2 . Novelty: Finally, it was concluded that on the basis of DM, replacement of 25% concentrate by Napier grass resulted in not only equal weight gain as like 100% concentrate but also reduced cost of production without causing any detrimental effects on turkey aged between 5 to 14 weeks. Therefore, farmers of Bangladesh could use this feeding system for economic turkey production.

Keywords: Concentrate, Feed Efficiency, Growth, Napier Grass, Turkey+