Poult. Sci.
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Poult Sci 2008. 87:514-520. doi:10.3382/ps.2007-00375
© 2008 Poultry Science Association
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METABOLISM AND NUTRITION

Effect of Amino Acid Formulation and Amino Acid Supplementation on Performance and Nitrogen Excretion in Turkey Toms

T. Applegate*,1, W. Powers{dagger}, R. Angel{ddagger} and D. Hoehler§

* Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1151; {dagger} Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824; {ddagger} Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742; and § Evonik Degussa Corporation, Kennesaw, GA 30144

1 Corresponding author: applegt{at}purdue.edu


   ABSTRACT
TOP
 ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 REFERENCES
 
A 2 x 2 factorial experiment was conducted to determine whether diets formulated with 2 (Lys and Met) or 3 (Lys, Met, and Thr) supplemental AA to 100 or 110% of NRC (1994) amino acid (AA) recommendations would affect performance and N excretion of turkey toms. Diets were formulated with corn, soybean meal (SBM), and 6% meat and bone meal. Diets were formulated to maximize SBM inclusion when formulated with 2 supplemental AA, thereby resulting in 2.0, 1.5, 1.4, and 1.0% units more CP than diets containing 3 supplemental AA at 4 to 8, 8 to 12, 12 to 16, and 16 to 20 wk of age, respectively. Each diet was fed to 12 replicate pens of birds with 10 birds per pen. Body weight, feed intake, and feed/gain was not affected by AA formulation or AA supplementation (average 20-wk BW = 20.7 kg). Similarly, the weight of the pectoralis major at 20 wk of age was not different between birds fed different diet regimens. Nitrogen intake was affected by diet with birds fed 100% NRC AA consuming 144 g (7.3%) less N, with $0.48 less feed cost/20-wk tom, than those fed 110% NRC AA. Similarly, birds fed 3 vs. 2 supplemental AA consumed 154 g less feed N (8.4%) with $0.37 less feed cost/20-wk tom to 20 wk of age. These differences in N intake resulted in 0.8 kg more N in litter/pen (7%; P = 0.067) in birds fed 100% NRC AA vs. those fed 110% NRC. Similarly, birds fed 3 vs. 2 supplemental AA had 1.24 less N in litter/pen (10.8%). These data suggest that diets containing AA formulations above NRC (1994) recommendations do not provide any additional performance or pectoralis major yield benefits, yet results in considerable increases in excreted N. In addition, formulation with 3 supplemental AA results in a sizeable reduction in N consumed and excreted.

Key Words: amino acid • crude protein • litter • nitrogen • turkey tom


   INTRODUCTION
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 REFERENCES
 
Air quality issues related to animal production continue to be of great concern to poultry producers and the public. Regional and national governments are beginning to address air quality concerns through policy development and implementation of regulations (Powers et al., 2005).

Reducing dietary CP content by formulating to essential amino acid (AA) needs rather than setting a CP minimum can have considerable economic and environmental benefits. In different strains of turkeys, several researchers have noted that when essential AA requirements are met, CP recommendations of NRC (1994) are not warranted (Sell et al., 1994; Waibel et al., 1995; Boling and Firman, 1997; Kidd et al., 1997; Waldroup et al., 1997). Depending on phase feeding programs, these studies indicate that 100 to 107% of NRC (1994) recommendations for essential AA were needed to maximize growth and breast meat yield. Little if any work has been done with turkeys, however, with consideration to loss of N to the environment. Therefore, the current study was undertaken to determine if AA formulations in modern genetic strains of turkeys were warranted above NRC (1994) recommendations, and if lowering dietary crude protein by inclusion of 3 instead of 2 supplemental AA would result in measurable differences in N excretion.


   MATERIALS AND METHODS
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 REFERENCES
 
All animal care and use procedures for the experiment were approved by the Purdue Animal Care and Use Committee. A 2 x 2 factorial experiment was conducted to determine whether diets formulated with 2 (Lys and Met) or 3 (Lys, Met, and Thr) supplemental AA to 100 or 110% of NRC (1994) AA recommendations would affect performance and N excretion of turkey toms. Diets were fed to 12 pens per diet. No minimum dietary CP was utilized during diet formulations. Diets were formulated to maximize soybean meal (SBM) inclusion when formulated with 2 supplemental AA. Dietary AA formulation and analyses are reported in Table 1Go. Diets were formulated with corn, SBM, and 6% meat and bone meal. Ingredient cost was determined per Feed Ingredient Weekly (2007). Birds were fed in 4-wk phases. A common diet that met or exceeded NRC (1994) requirements was fed to male Nicholas poults from 0 to 4 wk of age with feeding of experimental diets beginning at 4-wk of age. Dietary formulation and nutrient composition are reported in Tables 2Go and 3Go. All diets were fed in a mash form.


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  		Table 1. Formulated experimental amino acid concentrations (minimum) fed to tom turkeys
 

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  		Table 2. Diet formulation and nutrient composition for tom turkey diets from 4 to 8 and 8 to 12 wk of age formulated to 100 or 110% of NRC (1994) recommendations with 2 or 3 supplemental amino acids (AA)
 

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  		Table 3. Diet formulation and nutrient composition for tom turkey diets from 12 to 16 and 16 to 20 wk of age formulated to 100 or 110% of NRC (1994) recommendations with 2 or 3 supplemental amino acids (AA)
 
Prior to the beginning of the trial, wood shavings were weighed and distributed at a depth of 11 cm to 3.72 m2 pens. Toms were individually weighed and allocated, 20 per pen, such that differences in mean pen BW were minimized. Pen BW and feed disappearance were determined at 4-wk intervals. Numbers of birds per pen were reduced to 12 at 4 wk of age and 10 at 8 wk of age. Birds that were removed from the study at each of these ages had noticeable abnormalities or were removed at random.

Mortality was recorded twice daily, and BW of birds that died was used to adjust feed consumption and feed-to-gain ratio. At 20 wk of age, 3 birds per pen were randomly selected and euthanized with an overdose of carbon dioxide and verified by cervical dislocation. Tom BW was recorded, and the left pectoralis major was then excised and weighed.

All litter from each pen was removed within 2 d after removal of turkeys from the building. All litter from each pen was weighed and thoroughly mixed in a 256-L cement mixer (Crown Corporation Equipment, Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada) before subsample collection. Subsamples were subsequently taken at routine intervals during the emptying of the cement mixer. Litter DM was subsequently determined in triplicate samples after drying in a forced-draft oven at 52°C for 48 h. Litter samples were then ground twice in a Wiley mill through a 1.0-mm screen. Nitrogen analyses of feed and litter were determined by the combustion method (Model FP2000, Leco Corp., St. Joseph, MI; AOAC, 2000). Diet AA content was determined according to Llames and Fontaine (1994).

All experimental data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA using the GLM procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) as a 2 (100 vs. 110% of NRC AA requirements) x 2 (2 vs. 3 supplemental AA) factorial experiment. Statements of significance are P ≤ 0.05 unless indicated otherwise.


   RESULTS
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
DISCUSSION
 REFERENCES
 
With the exception of Lys content for the 100% NRC/3 supplemental at 16 to 20 wk, analyzed dietary AA concentrations were generally in good agreement with that of formulated values (Tables 2Go and 3Go). The total mortality was not significantly affected by dietary treatment and averaged 15% between 4 and 20 wk of age (data not reported). This mortality was largely affected by high mortalities (cause undiagnosed) in 2 pens (11.4% average mortality excluding these pens). Tom BW was greater at 8 wk of age when fed 110 vs. 100% of AA formulation and 2 supplemental AA vs. 3 (Table 4Go). Through the remainder of the experiment, however, feed intake, BW, and feed-to-gain ratio were not affected by diet. Notably, feed cost per tom at 20 wk of age was $0.48 less for toms fed 100% of NRC (1994) AA formulation vs. those fed 110%. Additionally, feed cost per tom at 20 wk of age was $0.37 less for toms fed 3 vs. 2 supplemental AA. Dietary regimen did not affect pectoralis major weights or relative weights at 20 wk of age (Table 5Go).


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  		Table 4. Turkey tom BW, feed intake, feed-to-gain (FCR), and feed cost per tom when fed diets containing 100 or 110% of NRC (1994) amino acid (AA) formulations supplied by 2 or 3 supplemental AA
 

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  		Table 5. Pectoralis major (left) weight and relative weight of turkey toms at 20 wk of age after being fed diets containing 100 or 110% of NRC (1994) amino acid (AA) formulations supplied by 2 or 3 supplemental AA
 
Litter dry matter was not affected by diet regimen, and averaged 76.9% at 20 wk. Nitrogen intake, litter N, and apparent N excretion are presented in Table 6Go. Nitrogen intake was affected by diet with birds fed 100% NRC AA consuming 144 g (7.3%) less N than those fed 110% NRC AA. Similarly, birds fed 3 vs. 2 supplemental AA consumed 154 g less feed N (8.4%) to 20 wk of age. These differences in N intake resulted in 0.8 kg less N in litter/pen (7%; P = 0.067) in birds fed 100% NRC AA vs. those fed 110% NRC (P = 0.067). Similarly, birds fed 3 vs. 2 supplemental AA had 1.24 less N litter/pen (10.8%).


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  		Table 6. Diet N consumption, litter N content, and apparent N excretion from turkey toms fed diets containing 100 or 110% of NRC (1994) amino acid (AA) formulations supplied by 2 or 3 supplemental AA
 

   DISCUSSION
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
REFERENCES
 
Minimizing N excreted is the most obvious method to curb NH3 emissions. By reducing the available substrate, less NH3 will be formed and volatilized. Unfortunately, there is a wide-spread belief that whenever CP concentrations are lowered, performance would be negatively affected likely stemming from research where CP concentrations were lowered beyond practical formulation and sufficient amounts of limiting AA other than Met and Lys were not supplemented back (Neto et al., 2002; Bregendahl et al., 2002). Reductions in the nonessential AA pool, coupled with supplying a more ideal AA profile in the diet can substantially increase the efficacy of overall N retention. On a practical basis, however, bird performance can be hindered by excessive lowering of CP in diets due to a number of factors. According to Waldroup (2000), these factors can include reduced potassium levels, altered ionic balance, lack of nonessential AA, imbalances among certain AA (e.g., branched chain AA), potential toxic concentrations of certain AA, or a combination of factors.

In this experiment, 3 of the 4 experimental diet regimens (analyzed CP composition) were close to or above the NRC (1994) CP requirement. Results of this study, therefore, confirm previous studies by other researchers (Sell et al., 1994; Waibel et al., 1995; Boling and Firman, 1997; Kidd et al., 1997; Waldroup et al., 1997) in that feeding to meet the NRC (1994) recommendations for essential AA and lowering CP does not impact animal performance or breast meat yields. In particular, the 100% NRC formulation with 3 supplemental AA was 91.9 to 96.6% lower in analyzed dietary CP than NRC (1994) CP recommendations. Specifically, analyzed CP was 1.8, 1.8, 1.2, and 0.5 percentage units below the NRC (1994) recommendations from 4 to 8, 8 to 12, 12 to 16, and 16 to 20 wk of age, respectively. In toms reared to 18 wk of age, Kidd et al. (1997) were able to reduce dietary CP to 92% of NRC (1994) and maintain Met TSAA, Lys, Thr, and Trp at a minimum of 105% of NRC (1994) recommendations without impacting tom performance or breast meat yield. Tom performance was maintained when dietary CP was lowered to 84% of NRC (1994) recommendations and 0.1% L-Thr was supplemented to the diet, yet breast meat yields were reduced by over 6% (Kidd et al. 1997). Reductions in diet CP along with increases in supplemental AA in the current study created considerable economic savings.

Generally, as a guide, for each 1% reduction in dietary CP, estimated NH3 losses are reduced by 10% in swine and poultry (Aarnink et al., 1993; Jacob et al., 1994; Sutton et al., 1997; Kay and Lee, 1997). As animals are fed closer to true N requirements, further reductions in dietary CP may result in less pronounced reduction in N excretion and NH3 losses.

Results from this study indicate that feeding 110% NRC (1994) recommendations for AA did not result in improvements in tom performance or breast meat yield. Similarly, Moran et al. (1995) noted no improvements in performance or breast meat yields in turkeys fed 110 vs. 115% of NRC (1994) CP recommendations. In contrast, Noy and Sklan (2004) noted that toms fed 105 to 110% of NRC (1994) recommendations for AA were heavier to 9 wk of age vs. those fed 95 or 100%. Cumulative differences from 9 to 19 wk of age, however, were not apparent between treatments. Direct comparisons with the Noy and Sklan (2004) report are difficult due to differences in study phase duration (4 wk in current study vs. 3 wk) and diet energy density (up to 150 kcal/kg more in current study).

In review of experimental control diets containing corn and SBM (48% CP) from 1985 to 2002, Applegate et al. (2003) noted that average N excretion of turkey toms was 43.2% of fed N (minimum = 25%; maximum = 52.2%). Notably, most of these studies, however, were conducted with relatively young (0 to 3 wk) birds. Nevertheless in the current experiment, apparent N excretion from 0 to 20 wk of age averaged 54.9% of fed N due in part to N emission via ammonia. Wu-Haan et al. (2007) noted that in measuring emissions from poultry, 99.7% of NH3, NO, and NO2 emissions were as NH3. Therefore, the overwhelming majority of unaccounted for N likely was emitted as NH3 in this study. The correlation of N intake and pen N excretion was significant (P ≤ 0.05; data not shown), yet N intake only accounted for 29% of pen N excretion. A portion of this may be accounted for through number of dietary supplemental AA. Although not significant, the difference in apparent excretion rate due to number of supplemental AA added to the diet was nearly 2.7 percentage units lower for toms fed 3 vs. 2 supplemental AA (P ≤ 0.097). Other factors such as NH3 volatilization rate, litter moisture, litter microbial load, or a combination of factors may account for the remainder of the variation in N remaining within the litter.

In conclusion, this experiment demonstrates that diets containing AA formulations above NRC (1994) recommendations do not provide any additional performance or pectoralis major yield benefits, yet result in considerable increases in N intake (7.3%), excretion (7%), and feed cost ($0.48 per 20-wk tom). In addition, formulation with 3 supplemental AA, thereby reducing SBM inclusion, can result in a considerable reduction in N consumed (8.4%), excreted (10.8%), and feed cost ($0.37 per 20-wk tom).


   ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
 
This material is based upon work supported by the National Research Initiative Air Quality Program of the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, USDA, under Agreement No. 2005-35112-15356. The authors would also like to thank Evonik Degussa Corp. for AA analyses.

Received for publication September 7, 2007. Accepted for publication November 24, 2007.


   REFERENCES
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 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 REFERENCES
 
Aarnink, A. J. A., P. Hoeksma, and E. N. J. Ouwerkerk. 1993. Factors affecting ammonium concentration in slurry from fattening pigs. Pages 413–420 in Proc. First Int. Symp. Nitrogen Flow in Pig Production and Environmental Consequences. EAAP Publ. No. 69. Pudoc, Wageningen, the Netherlands.

AOAC. 2000. Official Methods of Analysis. 17th ed. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem., Arlington, VA.

Applegate, T. J., L. P. V. Potturi, and R. Angel. 2003. Model for estimating poultry manure nutrient excretion: A mass balance approach. Int. Symp. Anim. Agric. Food Proc. Wastes 9:296–302.

Boling, S. D., and J. D. Firman. 1997. A low-protein diet for turkey poults. Poult. Sci. 76:1298–1301.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

Bregendahl, K., J. L. Sell, and D. R. Zimmerman. 2002. Effect of low-protein diets on growth performance and body composition of broiler chicks. Poult. Sci. 81:1156–1167.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

Feed Ingredient Weekly. 2007. 11(34). Informa Economics Inc., Eagen, MN.

Jacob, J. P., R. Blair, D. C. Benett, T. Scott, and R. Newbery. 1994. The effect of dietary protein and amino acid levels during the grower phase on nitrogen excretion of broiler chickens. Page 137 in Proc. 29th Pac. Northwest Anim. Nutr. Conf., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Kay, R. M., and P. A. Lee. 1997. Ammonia emission from pig buildings and characteristics of slurry produced by pigs offered low crude protein diets. Pages 253–259 in Int. Symp. Ammonia and Odour Control from Anim. Prod. Facil. Rosmalen, the Netherlands. Int. Comm. Agric. Eng. and Eur. Soc. Agric. Eng., Rosmalen, the Netherlands.

Kidd, M. T., B. J. Kerr, J. A. England, and P. W. Waldroup. 1997. Performance and carcass composition of large white toms as affected by dietary crude protein and threonine supplements. Poult. Sci. 76:1392–1397.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

Llames, C. R., and J. Fontaine. 1994. Determination of amino acids in feeds: Collaborative Study. J. AOAC Int. 77:1362–1402.[Web of Science]

Moran, E. T., Jr., K. K. Krueger, and H. L. Stilborn. 1995. Performance of turkeys at 110 vs 115% of NRC (1994) protein recommendation. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 4:138–147.

National Research Council (NRC). 1994. Nutrient Requirements of Poultry. 1994. 9th rev. ed. Natl. Acad. Press, Washington, DC.

Neto, M. G., G. M. Pesti, and R. I. Bakalli. 2002. Influence of dietary protein level on the broiler chicken’s response to methionine and betaine supplements. Poult. Sci. 79:1478–1484.

Noy, Y., and D. Sklan. 2004. Effects of metabolizable energy and amino acid levels on turkey performance from hatch to marketing. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 13:241–252.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

Powers, W. J., C. R. Angel, and T. J. Applegate. 2005. Air emissions in poultry production: current challenges and future directions. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 14:613–621.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

Sell, J. L., M. J. Jeffrey, and B. J. Kerr. 1994. Influence of amino acid supplementation of low-protein diets and metabolizable energy feeding sequence on performance and carcass composition of toms. Poult. Sci. 73:1867–1880.[Web of Science][Medline]

Sutton, A. J., K. B. Kephart, J. A. Patterson, R. Mumma, D. T. Kelly, E. Bogus, B. S. Don, D. D. Jones, and A. J. Heber. 1997. Dietary manipulation to reduce ammonia and odorous compounds in excreta and anaerobic manure storage. Pages 245–252. in Int. Symp. Ammonia and Odour Control from Anim. Prod. Facil., Rosmalen, the Netherlands. Int. Comm. Agric. Eng. and Eur. Soc. Agric. Eng., Rosmalen, the Netherlands.

Waibel, P. E., C. W. Carlson, J. K. Liu, J. A. Brannon, and S. L. Noll. 1995. Replacing protein in corn-soybean turkey diets with methionine and lysine. Poult. Sci. 74:1143–1158.[Web of Science][Medline]

Waldroup, P. W. 2000. Feeding programs for broilers: The challenge of low protein diets. Proc. MD Nutr. Conf. Feed Manuf. 47:119–134.

Waldroup, P. W., J. A. England, A. L. Waldroup, and N. B. Anthony. 1997. Response of two strains of large white male turkeys to amino acid levels when diets are changed at three-or four-week intervals. Poult. Sci. 76:1543–1555.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

Wu-Haan, W., W. J. Powers, C. R. Angel, C. E. Hale, III, and T. J. Applegate. 2007. Effect of an acidifying diet combined with zeolite and slight protein reduction on air emission from laying hens of different ages. Poult. Sci. 86:182–190.[Abstract/Free Full Text]




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