@article{spears_lloyd_flores_krafka_hyda_grimes_2024, title={Chromium propionate in turkeys: effect on performance and animal safety}, volume={103}, ISSN={["1525-3171"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.psj.2023.103195}, abstractNote={Two hundred and eighty-eight male Nicholas Large White turkey poults were used to determine the effect of supplementing turkeys with chromium propionate (Cr Prop) from 1 to 84 d of age on performance and animal safety. Treatments consisted of Cr prop supplemented to provide 0, 0.2, or 1.0 mg Cr/kg diet. One mg of supplemental Cr is 5 times (x) the minimal concentration of Cr Prop that enhanced insulin sensitivity in turkeys. Each treatment consisted of 8 floor pens with 12 poults per pen. Turkeys were individually weighed initially, and at the end of the starter 1 (d 21), starter 2 (d 42), grower 1 (d 63), and grower 2 phase (d 84). On d 85, blood was collected from the wing vein in heparinized tubes from 2 turkeys per pen for plasma chemistry measurements. A separate blood sample was collected from the same turkeys in tubes containing K2EDTA for hematology measurements. Turkey performance was not affected by treatment during the starter 1 phase. Gain was greater (P = 0.024) and feed/gain lower (P = 0.030) for turkeys supplemented with Cr compared with controls during the starter 2 phase. Over the entire 84-d study turkeys supplemented with Cr had greater (P = 0.005) ADG and tended (P = 0.074) to gain more efficiently than controls. Gain (P = 0.180) and feed/gain (P = 0.511) of turkeys supplemented with 0.2 mg Cr/kg did not differ from those receiving 1.0 mg Cr/kg over the entire 84-d study. Feed intake was not affected by treatment. Body weights of turkeys supplemented with Cr were heavier (P = 0.005) than controls by d 84. Chromium supplementation did not affect hematological measurements and had minimal effect on plasma chemistry variables. Results of this study indicates that Cr Prop supplementation can improve turkey performance, and is safe when supplemented to turkey diets at 5x the minimal concentration that enhanced insulin sensitivity.}, number={1}, journal={POULTRY SCIENCE}, author={Spears, J. W. and Lloyd, K. E. and Flores, K. and Krafka, K. and Hyda, J. and Grimes, J. L.}, year={2024}, month={Jan} }
 @article{flores_carvalho_reading_fahrenholz_ferket_grimes_2023, title={Machine learning and data mining methodology to predict nominal and numeric performance body weight values using Large White male turkey datasets}, volume={32}, ISSN={["1537-0437"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.japr.2023.100366}, abstractNote={Large biological data sets with many variables and a small number of biological replicates ("omics" sciences and industry data) are challenging to analyze with traditional inferential statistics. Statistical models can be applied to data containing more observations than variables, and they are strongly suited for this purpose. However, the power to detect actual differences is reduced when the number of comparisons exceeds the number of experimental replicates or observations. Machine learning (ML) allows researchers to evaluate treatments groups or multiple categories of variables with fewer observations. Thus, it has become a tool used to predict phenomena and evaluate relationships within datasets that are less suited for traditional statistics. Data mining (DM) helps researchers to identify the most critical variables in an ML predictive model and can be used akin to "statistical significance" for interpretation. This current effort aimed to develop ML and DM methodologies while applying them to predict Large White male turkey body weight (BW). Data from a previously reported study were used. Bird BW, weekly BW gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), small intestine pH, cloacal temperature, density, microbiome taxa, litter content of Mn and Zn, were used as variables for the ML analysis. A total of 253 variables were used in ML and DM analysis. BW and FI at 18 wk were classified as low, objective, and high based on a 5% for BW and 3% for FI margin of the Aviagen male turkey objectives for ML analysis. The WEKA 3.8.5 Experimenter tool used various classification and regression algorithms with a 10-fold cross-validation system to predict 18 wk BW based on input data. A single algorithm made the most practical model, from 3 models constructed, with a correlation of 0.73 and a root square error of 0.26 based only on turkey 14 wk BW. In conclusion, these ML and DM tools could be applied to turkey research and production systems by analyzing large data sets to predict growth performance.}, number={4}, journal={JOURNAL OF APPLIED POULTRY RESEARCH}, author={Flores, K. R. and Carvalho, L. V. F. M. and Reading, B. J. and Fahrenholz, A. and Ferket, P. R. and Grimes, J. L.}, year={2023}, month={Dec} }
 @article{flores_grimes_2022, title={Performance and processing yield comparisons of Large White male turkeys by genetic lines, sources, and seasonal rearing}, volume={101}, ISSN={["1525-3171"]}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85123829181&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1016/j.psj.2022.101700}, abstractNote={Large White male turkey genetic lines (GL) comparison in performance and processing yields under the same conditions are rare in the literature. Two rearing experiments (EXP) were conducted to accomplish 2 objectives. The first objective was to test the effects of poult source and genetic lines on performance and processing yields. The second objective was to extract season and growth patterns when comparing both EXP common treatments. In EXP 1, male poults from 5 different sources were randomly assigned to 48 concrete: litter-covered floor pens. In EXP 2, male poults from 7 different genetic lines were randomly assigned to 48 concrete: litter-covered floor pens. For both EXP, the experimental design was a completely randomized block design with a one-factor arrangement. Both EXP were placed in the same house with the same management and nutrition in two separate seasons of the same year. Bird performance and carcass processing yield were analyzed in SAS 9.4 or JMP 15.1 in a mixed model. In EXP 1 no significant difference in BW or processing yield was observed. However, a similar GL from a commercial hatchery had an improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) over the same GL sourced directly from the genetic company hatchery. In EXP 2, statistical differences were observed in performance and breast meat yield depending on the GL. A season effect was observed when comparing the two EXP. Birds raised in the fall season had a 2 kg BW increase, on average, over their spring counterparts. This difference in BW can also be observed in a statistically higher breast meat yield by the birds raised in the fall over the ones raised in the spring. In conclusion, a comparison between GL resulted in effects due to genetic line, poult source, and rearing season on bird performance and carcass yield.}, number={4}, journal={POULTRY SCIENCE}, author={Flores, K. R. and Grimes, J. L.}, year={2022}, month={Apr} }
 @article{flores_fahrenholz_ferket_biggs_grimes_2021, title={Effect of methionine chelated Zn and Mn and corn particle size on Large White male turkey live performance and carcass yields}, volume={100}, ISSN={["1525-3171"]}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85115128987&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1016/j.psj.2021.101444}, abstractNote={Most turkey research has been conducted with a regular corn particle size set through phase-feeding programs. This study's first objective was to determine the effect of increasing corn particle size through the feed phases on performance, processing yield, and feed milling energy usage in Large White commercial male turkey production. Zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) are essential microminerals for animals' healthy growth. The source in which these elements are supplied to the bird will determine their bioavailability, effect on bird growth, and subsequent environmental impact. This study's second objective was to measure both inorganic and chelated Zn and Mn sources on turkey performance, turkey carcass processing yields, and subsequent litter residues. Twelve hundred Nicolas Select male poults were randomly assigned to 48 concrete; litter-covered floor pens. The experimental design was a completely randomized block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of 2 sources of minerals (organic blend vs. inorganic) formulated to match breeder recommendations and 2 types of corn mean particle size (coarse corn [1,000–3,500 µm] vs. fine corn [276 µm]). The ASABE S319.4 standard was used to measure corn mean particle size. Bird performance, carcass processing yield, litter content of Zn and Mn, and pellet mill energy consumption were analyzed in SAS 9.4 in a mixed model. There was a reduction of pellet mill energy usage of 36% when coarse corn was added post-pelleting. Birds fed increasing coarse corn mean particle size were 250 g lighter on average in body weight (BW) than birds fed a constant control mean particle size. No difference was found in feed intake (FI) or feed conversion ratio (FCR). Birds fed methionine chelated Zn and Mn blended with inorganic mineral sources were 250 g heavier on average than birds fed only an inorganic source of minerals. In addition, feeding an organic blend of Zn and Mn resulted in greater breast meat yield. Litter from birds fed the control corn mean particle size, and inorganic minerals had a higher concentration of Zn in the litter but were not different when the chelated Zn/Mn were fed. In conclusion, increasing the corn mean particle size and adding it post pellet could save money during feed milling; however, birds might have a slightly lower BW. A combination of inorganic and chelated Zn and Mn may improve performance and increase total breast meat yields.}, number={11}, journal={POULTRY SCIENCE}, author={Flores, K. R. and Fahrenholz, A. and Ferket, P. R. and Biggs, T. J. and Grimes, J. L.}, year={2021}, month={Nov} }
 @article{flores_fahrenholz_grimes_2021, title={Effect of pellet quality and biochar litter amendment on male turkey performance}, volume={100}, ISSN={["1525-3171"]}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85101351113&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1016/j.psj.2021.01.025}, abstractNote={Bedding (litter) is essential to poultry performance and health and can have an environmental impact after use in the poultry facility such as a soil amendment or as an alternative energy source. Pine shavings are the most common bedding used for turkey production. However, the increase in its price and its increasing scarcity in some areas have created new research opportunities for reusing litter as bedding. Improvement in feed pellet quality has been reported to improve poultry performance. However, the reports for turkeys are limited and dated. This study's objective was to determine how the improvement of feed pellet quality and the use of biochar added to a combination of used turkey brooder house litter and Miscanthus grass as bedding affects turkey performance, small intestine morphology, and ammonia production. Nicolas Select (Aviagen Turkeys, Lewisburg, WV) male poults (816) were randomly assigned to 48 concrete litter floor pens on the day of hatch. The experiment used a completely randomized block design with a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement of treatments: 2 levels of fines in the feed and 4 bedding treatments. The bedding treatments were a constant level of used turkey brooder house litter combined with a varying combination of biochar and Miscanthus grass. Turkey's body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined. Differences in treatment means were considered to be statistically significant at P ≤ 0.05 using a mixed model in SAS 9.4. Turkeys fed the feed with improved pellet quality had a higher BW from 3 to 17 wk (17.0 ± 0.1 kg) than turkeys fed an increased abundance of fines (16.72 ± 0.1 kg). Turkeys fed feed with increased pellet quality had a lower FI (45.6 vs. 48.1 ± 0.4 kg) and improved FCR (2.20 vs. 2.31 ± 0.01) from 0 to 20 wk. Litter treatment with 20% biochar resulted in higher BW at 20 wk (20.91 ± 0.16 kg) because of increased BWG at 11 wk over the rest of the biochar levels (3.7 ± 0.1 kg). Strategies to reduce the abundance of fines in feed through feed formulation, feed manufacturing, feed transport, and in-house feed management should be considered to increase male turkeys' performance. There may be opportunities to use biochar as a litter amendment to improve turkey health and performance.}, number={4}, journal={POULTRY SCIENCE}, author={Flores, K. R. and Fahrenholz, A. and Grimes, J. L.}, year={2021}, month={Apr} }