Performance of Turkeys in Enrichment Environment with Perches and Outdoor Access under Tropical Conditions

Heat stress compromises turkey’s productivity and increase mortality mainly in the final stages of growth. This study evaluated effect perches its interaction with outdoor access on turkey performance high environment temperature humidity index (THI). Turkeys were reared 1.75 × 5 m indoor floor pens fed a standard commercial diet, offered ad libitum according to productive phase. All poults housed indoors until 62 d age. A free-range area for replicate 8.75 m2, natural shadow, was available from 07:00 19:00 h. Final density 10.33 ± 0.22 kg/m2. The treatments combination factorial arrangement (2 2) or without and, outdoors. From 10:00 THI above critical level comfort (heat stress). In turkeys, feed intake (FI) decreased, water increased, panting observed, had significantly lower body weight (BW) FI than turkeys allowed outdoors (p<0.05). Perch availability decreased BW Differences breast meat, wings, thighs between negligible. conclusion age better performance.