Phytase Studies-Turkey Poults

In another experiment, genetically modified low-phytate soybean meal was compared to normal soybean meal in diets fed to 6-day old turkey poults. Treatments consisted of normal soybean meal with calcium and poultry supplemented to 100 percent of the NRC requirement; low-phytate soybean meal diet with calcium and phosphorus levels of 100, 85 and 70 percent of the NRC requirement and the 70 percent treatment with phytase. Treatment had no affect on body weight change, feed conversion, toe ash nor tibia ash for the 18-day experiment. Tibia breaking strength was corrected with phosphorus intake. Apparent nitrogen retention and fecal phosphorus was affected by treatment. Using low-phytate soybean meal resulted in turkey poults performance equal to regular soybean meal while reducing fecal phosphorus.

Godwin, J.L. and co-workers. 2004. The use of low-phytate soybean meal to reduce phosphorus excretion from poults raised to 18 days of age. Poster T13, p167 of the 2004 joint Annual Meeting abstracts.