Evaluating the Microscopic Fecal Technique for Estimating Hard Mast in Turkey Diets
Wild and domestic dark turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) were fed experimental diets containing acorn (Quercus gambelli), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) seed, grasses, forbs, and arthropods. In fecal estimates of diet composition, acorn and ponderosa pine seed were underestimated and grass was overestimated. Regression of acorn and pine seed in experimental diets with microscopic fecal estimates indicated significant nonlinear relationships. Based on regression analyses, corrected acorn and pine seed composition in diets did not differ from experimental diets. Corrected estimates for grass were slightly overestimated. Corrected estimates for forbs and arthropods were slightly underestimated. Corrected diet estimates had smaller standard errors than microscopic fecal estimates.