Non-Linear Model to Describe Growth Curves of Commercial Turkey in the Tropics of Mexico

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to select the best non-linear model that fits the growth curve of turkeys managed under the tropical conditions of Southern Mexico. Data from 481 Hybrid converter turkeys (236 females and 245 males) reared under commercial conditions typical of that region were used. Turkeys were given ad libitum access to feed and water. Body weight was weekly recorded from 1 day to 23 weeks of age. Five non-linear mathematical models (Brody, Gompertz, Logistic, von Bertalanffy and Richards) were chosen to describe the age-weight relationship. The Brody and Richards’ models fail to converge. The best fitting model was chosen based on the average prediction error (APE); the multiple determination coefficient R 2 and the Akaike information criterion (AIC). In both sexes, von Bertalanffy and Gompertz were the best models. The highest estimates of parameter A (mature weight) for both females and males were obtained with the von Bertalanffy model followed by the Gompertz and Logistic. The estimates of A were higher for males than for females. The highest estimates of parameter k (rate of maturity) for both females and males were, in decreasing order for the Logistic, Gompertz, and von Bertalanffy models. k values for female turkeys was higher than for males. The age at the point of inflection and body weight at the age of point of inflection varied with the model used. The largest values of T