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Abstract
1. In two experiments turkeys (T) and broilers (B) of both sexes were reared from hatching in groups of four (to 20 d of age) or groups of 40 (to 8 weeks), composed of single species (4T, 4B, 40T, 40B) and mixed species (3T: IB, 2T: 2B, 36T: 4B, 30T: 10B), to determine whether turkey performance might be stimulated by the presence of broiler companions.
2. In both experiments early mortality of turkeys was lower in mixed‐species than in single‐species groups, but not significantly so. Broiler mortality was high in groups of 36T: 4B with females only, but not in other groups.
3. In both experiments body‐weight gain of turkeys was greater in mixed‐species than in single‐species groups, significantly so at 20 d and 4 weeks of age, but not at 8 weeks. Broilers grew faster in groups of 3T: IB to 20 d, but not in other mixed‐species groups. There was evidence that these faster growth rates were due more to greater food consumption than to greater efficiency of food conversion.
4. It is unlikely that mixing broilers with turkeys would have much practical value at present, but if demand were to change more towards small turkeys, such stimulation by broilers might be financially worthwhile.