Date of Graduation

1999

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

Committee Chair

R. W. Russell

Abstract

An experiment involving 96 turkeys was carried out in conventional battery cages. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of lactose on the productive performance of turkeys. Another objective was to establish the optimum level of inclusion in the diet. Birds were housed two per cage from day-old to six weeks old. Diets, containing 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8% lactose, and water were offered ad libitum throughout the trial. The highest average weight gain per cage (3.79Kg) was recorded in birds on the 4% lactose diet. There was significant difference (p < 0.01) in weight gain per cage between birds on the 4% and those on the 0% lactose diet (control). All birds on lactose diets were more feed efficient than those on the control diet. Diet did not affect fecal DM but caused high fecal DAPA content (p < 0.05) in 4% lactose birds.

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