Effect of Betaine on some productive traits of turkey under heat stress

Abstract

This study was conducted at the poultry farm, collage of veterinary, of Kufa included field experimentation which was conducted during the period from 24th of December 2010 to 23th April 2011. The experiment aimed to investigate the effect of betaine supplemented to the diet to alleviate the negative effects of heat stress through study of some productive traits of turkey were being exposed to heat stress.    Sixty unsexed one day old chick turkey(Nicholas 300) average weight (58gram). The chicks were reared on a ground throughout two stages: the first stage from one day old to 12 weeks old with no treatment whereas second stage was from 13-16 weeks of age. They were randomly allocated 3 treatment groups, each comprising of 2 replicates of 10  chicks, the treatment containing three betaine levels at 0,1000,1500 mg/kg diet T1,T2 and T3 respectively, birds reared under cyclic high temperature 27-38-27 cilices and relative humidity average 55-60%.1. Birds in T2 have a higher (P<0.05) body weight in average at 16 weeks of age. And the average of  weight gain during the period of 13-16 weeks of age is also higher as compared to other treatments2.  During the period of 13-16 weeks of age, food conversion rate for T2 was best at significant level (P<0.05) compared with other treatment.3. Birds in T2 have a higher (P<0.05)food intake average during the period 13-16 weeks of age as compared with the other treatments.4.Abdomnal fat significantly decreased (p<0.05) while breast muscle ratio and breast meat yield were increased (p<0.01) in T3 as compared with T1 .5. birds in T2 and T3 resulted in significant decrease( P<0.05) in mortality as compared with control treatment.6. Production index (PI) and economic figure (EF) were significantly improved for T2 and T3 compared with the control.