INFLUENCE OF BODY-WEIGHT SELECTION ON THE GROWTH CURVE OF TURKEYS

The growth curve of a population of turkeys selected for increased 16 wk BW (Line F) and a randombred control population (RBC2) was determined. It was concluded that the Gompertz equation best described the growth pattern of Lines F and RBC2 regardless of sex. Line F had higher BW at hatching, BW and slope at point of inflection (POI), and asymptotic BW than Line RBC2. Age at POI and asymptote were achieved later for Line RBC2 than for Line F. Male turkeys had higher BW and age at POI and BW and age at asymptote than females. Slope at POI was greater for females than for males.