Determining the Relationships between Feed Efficiency, Production Traits, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Turkeys

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Date

2017-05-04

Authors

Gionet, Clayton

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Guelph

Abstract

Poultry production is a contributor to air pollution emissions and the release of direct and in-direct greenhouse gases. This study examines the effect that the feed conversion ratio (FCR), a production trait used for selection of turkey breeding stock, has on the generation of methane and carbon dioxide and the in-direct greenhouse gas, ammonia. To assess the potential differences in pollutant emissions, two groups of turkeys with different production traits were monitored in environmental chambers. The two groups were separated by their FCR. The group with a high efficiency FCR yielded methane, ammonia and carbon dioxide emission factors of 2.30 (± 3.73), 0.574 (± 0.362), and 4.67x104 (± 1.59x104) g/day/AU. The emission factors for the low efficiency group were 3.46 (± 5.54), 0.971 (± 0.569), and 6.54x104 (± 2.19x104) g/day/AU. However, the methane results are not statistically significant. Birds from the lower efficiency genetic line produced on average: 40.1%, 51.2%, and 33.2% more CH4, NH3, and CO2 over the sampling campaign. At the end of the trial, the average body weight for high efficiency birds was 17.9 (± 2.42) kg, and 12.1 (± 0.992) kg for low efficiency birds. By implementing genetic selection targeted for improving FCRs, the industry will be moving to a more sustainable practice by reducing overall emissions, while producing more kg of meat per bird.

Description

Keywords

Turkeys, Air pollution emissions, Greenhouse gases, Feed conversion ratio, Genetic selection

Citation