The posthatch physiology of the turkey poult—III. Yolk depletion and serum metabolites

1. 1. Serum glucose, serum lipid, feed consumption and yolk weights of developing turkey poults were measured daily and associated with early poult mortality. 2. 2. The first peak in poult mortality at 4–5 days followed nadirs in feed consumption, yolk weights and serum lipids. 3. 3. The second peak in mortality at days 8–10 followed a decrease in serum glucose levels. 4. 4. These observations suggest that neonatal mortality is associated with metabolic changes which exacerbate morbidity in weaker poults.