Effect of Feed Additives Supplementation on the Growth Performance, Gastrointestinal Tract Characteristics, and Carcass Composition in Turkey Hens

Simple Summary Nowadays, in order to increase growth performance and carcass composition, alternative feed additives are sought after as a result of the withdrawal of antibiotics employed as growth promoters in poultry feeding. Studies on the simultaneous use of several feed additives in turkey diets are not currently available. Therefore, we conducted a study to see how effective three feed additives (effective microorganisms and Humokarbowit added to the feed and garlic extract added to the drinking water) included in the diets of turkey hens were on the growth performance, gastrointestinal tract characteristics, and carcass composition. It was shown that the included feed additives in the diets and water increased the final body weight and decreased the feed conversion ratio throughout the rearing period. Birds from the E group (fed with additives) scored a higher dressing percentage, and their muscularity and fattening were improved. The breast muscles of turkey from group E featured a lower pH24 and were of lighter colour compared with those of the birds from group C (fed without additives). The study revealed that for Big 6 turkey hens, the use of effective microorganisms and Humokarbowit in the birds’ diets and garlic extract in drinking water was recommendable in view of the improved growth performance and carcass composition. Abstract In order to increase growth performance and carcass composition, including meat quality, as demanded by modern customers, alternative feed additives are sought after as a result of the withdrawal of antibiotics employed as growth promoters in poultry feeding. Therefore, we conducted a study to see how effective three feed additives added to the diets and water of turkey hens were. The experiment consisted of 200 Big 6 turkey hens divided into two equinumerous groups (C and E), with five subgroups in each. The 14-week-long growth performance study comprised five feeding periods. Both groups of birds were fed complete feed rations with mineral and vitamin supplements. The factor differentiating the groups were effective microorganisms and Humokarbowit added to the birds’ diets and garlic extract added to the drinking water in the experimental group (E) only. It was demonstrated that the included feed additives in the diets and water of turkey hens significantly increased (by 10%) the FBW and decreased (by 14%) the FCR throughout the rearing period. Birds from the E group scored significantly higher (by 3.6%) on the dressing percentage, and their muscularity and fattening grade were improved. Turkey fed rations containing the evaluated feed additives had a smaller share of the gastrointestinal tract in the body weight and a shorter duodenum and caecum (p ≤ 0.05). The muscles of turkey hens from group E featured a lower pH24 and were of lighter colour (p ≤ 0.05). To sum up, the use of effective microorganisms and Humokarbowit in the diets and garlic extract in the drinking water of turkey hens should be recommended in view of improved growth performance and carcass composition.