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Scott and Jensen (1952) reported that the addition of aureomycin to the ration of poults which had not received this supplement prior to 8 weeks of age caused a marked increase in growth. MacGregor et al. (1952) reported that poults fed penicillin after eight weeks showed no stimulus in growth over those not receiving penicillin. The experiments reported here were conducted early in 1952 with the purpose of studying the usefulness of feeding an antibiotic to turkeys in the later growing stages, for effects on feed conversion as well as growth. Approximately 4,000 Beltsville Small White poults were divided into five equal groups of each sex. A random 10 percent sample of each group was weighed and feed conversion calculated at ten day intervals. The diets used were commercial type mash and grain rations. Mash #1 contained 28%; #2, 24%; and #3, 20% protein. All mashes contained approximately 5 grams …

Beltsville Small White tom turkeys were reared on a practical feeding program to 10 weeks of age, then divided into pens of approximately 600 birds each and given a series of pelleted mashes varying in fiber level. The fiber level was changed solely by varying the proportions of milo and barley in a 20% protein practical growing mash. The extremes of this series were 32.5% barley, and 42.0% milo. Similarly reared Beltsville Small White hens from this flock were placed on the same mashes when 12 weeks of age. The turkeys had free access to these mashes and wheat grain at all times. The trial was terminated when the turkeys were 18 weeks of age. The results given in Table 1 show several features of interest. 1. Weight gains of toms and hens were independent of mash fiber levels. 2. The percentage of whole grain in the diets selected by …

The effects of detergents in the diets of growing chickens have been reviewed and further studied by Branion and Hill (1954) and by March, Burdett and Biely (1954). Biely, March and Silvestrini (1954) have reported that an alkyl-aryl sulfonate fed at 0.1% of a basal ration of laying hens promoted better feed efficiency for egg production. In experiments conducted during 1953 with growing Broad Breasted Bronze turkeys on range, two strains of this variety of turkeys were fed a practical diet of mash and wheat grain, ad libitum. Certain of the mashes were supplemented with a commercial sodium alkyl-aryl sulfonate (Oronite D-40). Approximately 235 birds were placed in each group. Results are given in Table 1. Weight gain was improved very slightly in three out of four comparisons. This fact demonstrates, at least, that the detergent had no appreciable toxic effects. Feed conversion was improved in every comparison, particularly in …

A flock of Beltsville Small White turkeys, 12 weeks of age, was divided into 3 equivalent groups of each sex, approximately 300 birds per group. These were kept in pens with shades, and were fed practical diets. Hormone was administered in the usual manner by the subcutaneous injection of pellets containing 15 mg. of diethylstilbestrol, near the back of the head. Treatment at the 15 mg. level unquestionably increased gains and improved feed conversion (Table 1). These effects were applied to a relatively similar degree to both sexes. For example, toms gained 14% more than control toms, while hens gained 12% more than control hens. Treatment at this level proved to be economically advantageous. Apparently, the 30 mg. level was excessive as birds given this dose did very little better than the controls. A second experiment was conducted with 14-week old B.S.W. toms in 3 groups of 50 each and . . .

It has recently been reported that crystalline aureomycin will accelerate growth of young turkeys (Stokstad and Jukes, 1950). The pertinent literature was reviewed by these authors. The present studies, which had been completed prior to the appearance of the paper by Stokstad and Jukes, confirm and extend the work cited, inasmuch as similar results were obtained with a different basal diet, different variety of turkeys, and with separate sexes. The basal diet used had the following composition: solvent process soybean meal (48% crude protein) 50, bonemeal 3.7, limestone 1.5, salt 1.0, cottonseed oil 1.0, dl -methionine 0.5, manganese sulfate 0.03, and glucose to complete 100 parts. Vitamin supplements per 100 grams of basal diet were as follows: vitamin A 700 I.U., vitamin D 70 A.O.A.C. chick units, riboflavin 1 mg., niacin 1 mg., thiamin 0.3 mg., choline chloride 100 mg. Broadbreasted Bronze poults were separated as to sex at 1 day . . .