Determination of metabolisable energy of tomato pomace and its effect on commercial turkey performance

Twenty-eight adult male turkeys were used to determine the metabolizable energy of tomato pomace. Tomato pomace was mixed on the ratio of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% to basal diet. Then, 50 grams of each mixed feed were fed to 4 tom turkey. In order to determine the effects of using tomato pomace on performance of 1-24 weeks old turkeys, 120 days old turkey was fed until the age 24 weeks. Chicks were grouped into 5 treatment (0, 7.5, 15, 22.5 and 30% tomato pomace) 3 replication and 8 observations on the basis of a completely randomized design. Performance traits are recorded for up to 24 weeks of age. The results of chemical composition determination showed that amount of crude protein, ether extract, ash, NDF, ADF, and gross energy were 19.5, 2.4, 5.5, 57.3, 47.2% and 2986 kcal/kg respectively. Statistical analysis showed that there was significant difference between metabolisable energy of diets containing different levels of tomato pomace. The amount of AME, AMEn, TME, TMEn of tomato pomace were estimated using regression equations of 2026, 2072, 2361 and 2414 kcal/kg respectively. There wasn’t significant difference between control group and other groups from the view point of feed conversion rate, weight gain and feed intake. Finally, tomato pomace can be used up to 30% on feeding turkey chicks.