Variation in Growth Performance and Carcass Yield of Pure and Reciprocal Crossbred Turkeys

This study compared growth, feed conversion ratio (FCR), mortality rate and results of slaughter analysis of slow-growing Bronze turkeys (SG), fast-growing Big 6 turkeys (FG), and their reciprocal crosses (SF and FS). Until 6 weeks of age the birds were kept indoors and afterwards they were allowed to use free ranges. Toms were reared until 21 and hens until 15 weeks of age. The FS turkeys were characterized by higher (P≤0.05) BW and dressing percentage and by lower FCR compared to the SF crosses of both sexes. The analysis of orthogonal contrasts demonstrated that values of most of the slaughter analysis parameters were due to the additive effect of genes. Only weight of skin with fat and of gizzard could result from heterosis. Study results demonstrate that FS crosses constitute better material for the alternative production of turkeys compared to the other analysed groups (SG, SF, FG).