TITLE:
Mathematical modeling of the native Mexican turkey’s growth
AUTHORS:
E. Pérez-Lara, M. A. Camacho-Escobar, J. C. García-López, S. Machorro-Samano, N. Y. Ávila-Serrano, J. Arroyo-Ledezma
KEYWORDS:
Age to Slaughter; Growth Curves; Guajolotes; Maximum Weight; Slow Growth Turkeys
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Animal Sciences,
Vol.3 No.4,
October
28,
2013
ABSTRACT: Little is known about the productive performance of Mexican turkey, so the objective of the present study was to characterize growth performance curves of backyard turkey under a confined system. Forty fertile eggs were artificially incubated and turkey weight was recorded at hatch. During growth performance weekly weight was measured until 385 days of age. Turkey commercial feed and water were offered ad libitum. To characterize growth curves, a fourth degree polynomial model regression and a Richards biological model were used, which were compared by determination coefficient (r2), to reach the best fit model. The best fit model was the fourth degree polynomial regression model from a mathematical standpoint of view. It was found that maximum tom growth was reached at 15.7 weeks with a weight gain of 259.3 g/week and in hens at 12.4 weeks with a weight gain of 112.0 g/week. Body weight reached by toms at 40 weeks was 6 kg and hens at 35 weeks with 3.6 kg.