How to raise broiler turkeys at home?

Broiler turkeys are a type of poultry and are cultivated by many farmers and agricultural enterprises. They are famous for their unpretentiousness, calm disposition, fertility and excellent taste characteristics of a dietary type of meat.

In this article, we will look at how to raise broiler turkeys at home, how to feed broiler chicks and how to avoid common diseases.

North America is considered to be the discoverer of most modern breeds of broiler turkeys.

general description

The body of broilers is massive, muscular, an impressive strong beak with a red appendage. Birds run fast, developed wings allow flying over three-meter fences. Develop a speed of up to 50 km / h.
Farmers consider broiler turkey breeds to be selective eaters, requiring specific housing conditions.

There are a number of nuances, recommendations that have a productive effect on the development of turkeys, maintaining the health of the whole brood. The energy expended pays off in a short time, thanks to the high growth rate of broilers.

Male turkeys

Conditions for keeping broiler turkeys

It is advisable to keep small broiler turkeys in a specially equipped poultry house.
Primary requirements:

comfortable temperature regime;
dry cage;
unlimited free access to water;
the presence of ventilated air.

The warm season is a great time to start growing broiler turkey poults at home, providing the opportunity to walk the young in the yard. The cages are wide: turkeys require large spaces.

Grown up matured individuals are released into the poultry yard to gorge on kilograms. Broiler turkeys are home-bred birds. Some breeds are actively grown by large agricultural enterprises.

External characteristics and distinctive qualities

Broiler turkeys are gigantic in size. The weight of adult males is 20-30 kg. Females grow much smaller in size: half the weight of males.

The main purpose of growing broiler turkeys is to obtain high quality meat. Egg production is an important indicator, however, not the main one. The start of laying, the weight, the number of eggs obtained depends solely on the breed of broiler turkeys.

Now let's talk about how to feed broiler turkeys at home. It is recommended to feed adults 4 times a day. Broilers always need open access to the feeder, otherwise there will be underweight. Compliance with the diet is preferable. Inconsistent selection of feeding hours leads to malnutrition. Attacks of hunger are accompanied by irritability, aggressive behavior of birds.

Turkey poults

Varieties of breeds

The key to successful breeding of healthy fattened turkeys is an individual approach to the selection of methods for keeping a particular breed. There are three main types of broiler turkeys.

Light breeds. Do not exceed 15 kg. Males weigh less than females - about 10 kg per carcass. Disease-resistant strong individuals, females have high egg production rates. These include the Norfolk, Bestwil, White Dutch breed.
Broilers are medium in size. Highly productive individuals, weighing 16 kg. This includes Moscow and North Caucasian turkeys.
The largest breeds. The most popular type of broiler. The weight of adult males reaches 30 kg. Females grow twice as small - 12 kg. The classification includes broad-chested Canadian whites, Canadian bronzes, big 6.

Many farmers are free to choose among the crossed breeds of local turkeys. They are more hardy. Hybrid broilers rarely exceed the 10 kg weight threshold.

The most highly productive and demanded among household plots are heavy breeds:

Canadian wide-breasted broiler. The breed was bred through careful selection. Almost all types of feed are consumed. The diet should contain various baits, vitamin complexes. Weight gain is happening rapidly. A month and a half later, the chicks reach 5 kg. After another one and a half - ready for slaughter for meat. Oviposition of females begins at nine months, the number of laid eggs per year reaches 200 pieces.
Canadian broad-breasted broiler turkeys are considered the largest among other early maturing breeds. The weight of an adult male can reach 30 kg as early as three months.
White broad-breasted. Males reach 25 kg in weight, females - 11 kg. Have an average growth rate. At the age of five months, the chick weighs 7 kg. The breed is picky about food. Females have a high level of egg production - 100 eggs per year, 90% of them will give birth to new chicks.
Big 6 - a relatively young breed of domestic heavy crosses, was bred in 2007 in the UK. It has an impressive ratio of total body weight to the amount of clean meat. Outward signs resemble a broad-chested white, the level of productivity is similar to that of a Canadian. At 3 months, it reaches slaughter age. The weight can be up to 30 kg.

Free-range broiler turkeys

How to feed turkeys and broiler turkeys at home

Feeding broiler turkey poults at home must be a special feed, for example, zero feed. It contains all the essential nutrients. After 14 days, a smooth transition to a mixture for growing chicks begins.

An increase in the quality of the taste characteristics of turkey meat can be achieved by including sunflower oil, acorns, lard in the daily diet of their wards. Thanks to these additives, the meat becomes very soft and tender.

After two weeks, crushed oats and wheat are gradually added to the usual feed. River sand, crushed shells, chalk will help improve the functioning of the intestines. Sometimes you can pamper chicks with a mash of yogurt, boiled potatoes and bran. It is necessary to grind everything thoroughly before serving the mixture to the turkeys - large pieces of food can clog the airways, and the bird will die.

From the age of three months, the diet of broiler turkeys should consist of the following grains:

wheat (50%);
barley (20%);
corn (10%);
oats (10%);
compound feed (10%).

In winter, fresh vegetation can be replaced with branches of coniferous trees (spruce, fir, pine) and hay.

It is important for adults, along with small broilers, to consume a lot of different greens - onions, nettles, carrot tops, beetroot, cabbage leaves. Any vegetable crops will do.

Features of breeding and cultivation

Newly hatched turkey poults are kept in a pre-warmed room.It is important to observe the temperature regime for the first 2 weeks (22-25 degrees Celsius). The health of the chicks depends on maintaining a comfortable environment. Feeders should be installed, excluding the occurrence of grouping among the chicks, otherwise weak individuals will be malnourished or they will simply be trampled.

Clean water is essential for proper broiler broiler care... Vacuum and nipple drinkers are suitable.

Nipple drinkers, due to their design and dosed water supply through the valve, do not clog, eliminate stagnant water, and several times facilitate the care of poultry of any age.

The house must be ventilated. The turkey poults are transferred to the street after 2 weeks. Now you know about breeding and keeping broiler turkeys at home.

Adult turkey with chicks on the farm

Prevention of turkey poultry diseases

Broiler turkeys are birds susceptible to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Preventive measures:

compulsory vaccination;
antibiotics.

Pros and cons of growing

Growing turkeys has positive and negative aspects. You should consider them in more detail.

Pros:

homemade turkey meat is environmentally friendly, contains a huge amount of useful vitamins and minerals, is famous for its low fat content, is dietary;
eggs of broiler turkeys have a high nutritional value and high taste;
breeding for the purpose of sale pays off quickly. Meat is considered rarer and more expensive;
experienced breeders know: breeding and further sale of turkey products is practically waste-free. You can sell feathers, down, eggs, meat, chicks of any age.

Minuses:

special conditions for keeping young animals, high risk of mortality;
young individuals require keeping away from other poultry due to possible diseases, chicks are shy;
are prone to obesity, for prevention, more greens should be given.

Keeping an adult bird in the pen

Farmers reviews

The Internet is replete with forums dedicated to the breeding of broiler turkeys. Statistics show: the business is very profitable, the cost of feed is paid off by the sale of two turkeys out of a dozen.

Our family has been raising turkeys for over two years. For the first time, we took ten turkey poults to try, whether it will work out - not a single one was sick. For two months they were fed with special turkey feed "Provimi", later with broiler compound feed PK-4. Having decided to start breeding, a number of doubts immediately arose. But we did it without regretting it! A year later, 35 chicks were taken at once, only one died a day later. Bottom line: the broilers have grown huge!

You will have to bother, it is worth all the effort. The main advantage of broilers is a lot of meat! After the turkeys, the chickens looked like pigeons. I really enjoyed breeding them. One bird weighed 15-17 kg. Enough to feed the family, and it is possible to sell immediately.

Some farmers have experimented with alternating feeds for other types of poultry, such as chicken mixes. Monthly broilers grew up healthy, reaching 25 kg in weight.

Business executives practicing broiler breeding are convinced: the advisory methods of keeping do not require strict adherence, the bird is hardy and unpretentious. A brood of large healthy birds can be obtained with some effort. Years of experience of getting to know the peculiarities and nuances of keeping broiler turkeys convinced the breeders that it is really worth the effort.

Broiler turkeys - poultry, popular both as a business and in small households. Many positive qualities put turkey on a par with duck and chicken poultry farming. Broiler turkeys are known for their wonderful meats., as well as the simplicity of their breeding. Birds are unpretentious in keeping conditions and require minimal costs from the owner.At the same time, high-quality and competent content allows you to get a lot of income from breeding.

External characteristics of a broiler turkey

Turkeys are characterized by the following external data:

Massive physique, well-developed musculature;
Large body weight - an adult bird weighs from 8 to 10 kilograms;
Small head;
Powerful beak with a red appendage;
The chest is wider compared to other breeds of turkeys;
Powerful limbs;
The scallops are not pronounced;
The color is mostly white. Males have a fluffier plumage than females.

Broiler turkeys have a peaceful temperament... Aggression is not observed in them, therefore, when growing a bird, the yard will not turn into a fighting ring. Birds also treat people calmly and submissively.

There are three main subspecies of broiler turkeys:

Lungs. Over the course of 12 weeks, such a bird gains weight about 9 kilograms. A five-month-old turkey weighs 15 kilograms, and a female at this age reaches 10 kilograms.
Average. In 14 weeks, such a broiler gains weight about 18 kilograms, however, females weigh half as much.
Heavy. It is considered a real record holder. His weight at the age of five months can reach 23-25 kilograms. Some individuals can boast a mass of over 30 kilograms.

A feature of turkeys is that they retained the ability to fly... An adult bird can fly over a fence three meters high. Also birds run very fast. The broiler can reach speeds in excess of 50 km / h.

Turkeys are selective in their diet.therefore, the farmer needs to choose a diet that will satisfy the birds.

Assortment of breeds

Before growing broiler turkeys at home, you need to decide on the breed. In addition to light, medium and heavy, there are hybrid species. These turkeys are extremely popular with aspiring farmers. Mixed breeds rarely grow over 10 kilograms. Heavy broilers are considered the most popular breeds among seasoned poultry farmers. Common types:

Same

Canadian breed, or wide-breasted. Bred artificially and is the best option for a small farm. The breed is unpretentious in feed and does not require special conditions of keeping. The Canadian broiler is gaining weight at an accelerated pace. At the age of one and a half months, the chicks reach a significant weight - 5 kilograms. And at three months, a male can weigh 30 kilograms. The breed is considered the largest known broiler species. An adult can be sent to slaughter at the age of one and a half years. Egg production is high. The female begins to lay eggs at nine months. One individual lays up to 200 eggs per year.
White, or wide-breasted... Adult males weigh 23-25 kilograms, females - 11. Rapid growth is not observed. The chick gains 7 kilograms at the age of five months. The egg production of the breed is considered average. The female brings a hundred eggs per year, 90% of which are suitable for breeding chicks.
Big 6... Young breed. The crosses were created by British poultry farmers ten years ago. It is known for its high ratio of body weight to meat obtained during slaughter. Outwardly, the breed is similar to the previous one, and in terms of productivity it is more like a Canadian broiler. The breed has a high rate of weight gain. Indicators are record: in three months the turkey is already suitable for slaughter and weighs 30 kilograms.

Breeding broiler turkeys

Broiler turkeys are well bred at home.

Chicks can be raised from eggs, and three-week-old chicks can be purchased from poultry farmers. The second option seems to be more promising, since turkeys do not care too much about their offspring and do not sit well on eggs. In addition, chicks of three months of age require less care and attention.

When growing broiler turkey poults, the temperature regime is an important point. In the room where the chicks are located, it is necessary to maintain a temperature of 22-25 degrees.The health of the livestock depends on the stability of temperature and humidity.

When installing feeders, the distance between chicks must be observed during feeding. If crowded birds are allowed, weak individuals will not be able to fully feed, which will slow down their growth and survival.

Drinking bowls must be used for water:

vacuum,
nipple.

Water in nipple drinkers does not stagnate, the structure itself does not clog, and both adults and young animals have access to the liquid.

Keep the house clean and fresh at all times... It is also important to keep the litter dry. Moisture promotes the multiplication of bacteria, which, in turn, causes illness in the chicks. Youngsters can be transferred to street housing at the age of two weeks.

When kept in a poultry house, daylight hours should be 12-14 hours, regardless of the season. Before sending the young to a large house, the area must be thoroughly ventilated, cleaned and disinfected.

Newborn chicks do not feed on their own, so they are given carrot juice to drink. Young animals begin to feed on their own by the end of the second day. The first days of the babies are fed with boiled eggs and boiled cereals, gradually adding ground cereals.

Vision of newborn chicks is poor, therefore, the feeders must be installed in a well-lit place.

For the first two weeks, you can feed small turkeys with specialized food. Only after 14 days can the chicks be gradually transferred to regular feed. A large amount of greenery is contraindicated for young birds.

Conditions of detention

Growing broiler turkeys at home by buying ready-made turkey poults is better for novice farmers.

Broiler turkeys have been specially bred for households, so they can be kept outdoors as well as in poultry houses and cages. Walking is not a prerequisite, however, access to grazing and fresh air contributes to rapid weight gain and strengthening the immunity of the bird.

Three week old turkey poults can be released into the house. The floor should be laid with natural bedding, preferably straw. Broiler turkeys are large birds, so a regular chicken coop is not suitable for them. For each individual, it is necessary to provide at least half a meter of area.

Artificial lighting is required, however, natural will serve as a great advantage. The light mode is set according to the natural day and night cycle. The temperature regime for an adult turkey provides for maintaining a temperature of +20 degrees.

Broiler feeding

Two weeks after birth, wheat and oats are gradually added to the turkey poultry diet. This will be the basis of the adult bird menu. As a mineral supplement, it is necessary to add river sand, crushed chalk and crushed shells to the diet.

Growing chicks need to be given carrot tops, beets, cabbage and clover. Corn and wheat flour are good complementary foods. Whole grain broiler chicks should only be fed at 6 weeks of age.

For three-month-old turkey poults, a menu is made in the appropriate proportions:

Half of the feed should be wheat;
Oats and corn must be added in the amount of 10% of the total mass of the feed;
The fifth part is devoted to barley;
Compound feed should make up 10% of the diet.

A mash for chicks is made from bran, yogurt and boiled potatoes. The mash should be prepared just before feeding. Wet feed mixes should have a thick consistency, but not stick to the palms of the hands when stirring.

Pharmaceutical vitamins and minerals are suitable as feeding for adult birds. Turkey poults can be treated with a small amount of yeast.

In winter, fresh vegetation is also needed in feed, so it is permissible to add coniferous branches and hay to the feed. In summer, birds can nibble on the grass they choose while walking... If turkeys are kept in cages, then they should be offered nettles, onions, carrot tops and cabbage leaves.

The taste of turkey meat directly depends on the diet of the poultry. To improve the meat, you can add acorns, sunflower oil, and a small amount of lard to the feed. The fatty component of the diet helps the meat to become tender and juicy.

Dry and wet food served separately... Each type of feed should have its own feeder. Large pieces of food must be chopped up so that when eaten, the food does not enter the chick's respiratory tract. Turkeys should have access to clean water around the clock. When walking, you can build a drinking bowl or use a ready-made device.

Advantages and disadvantages

Raising broiler turkeys both as poultry and as a business has both positive and negative sides.

Benefits of broiler farming:

High quality meat. The product contains many vitamins and nutrients, and is also considered dietary due to its low fat content.
Eggs are also highly regarded in cooking. They have an optimal composition and calorie content.
Turkey meat is in great demand, therefore, problems with the sale of products are extremely rare;
The high cost of broiler turkey meat allows you to recoup the costs associated with starting a business in the shortest possible time.
Waste-free production. Experienced farmers assure that competent business construction allows creating practically waste-free production. Everything is suitable for sale: eggs, meat, feathers, droppings. Breeding and selling chicks is also considered profitable.

Negative nuances of broiler breeding:

Difficulties in keeping young animals, high mortality of chicks.
The need to keep adult birds separate from chicks. Shyness of young animals complicates care.
Careful approach to feeding and control of the diet. Turkeys are prone to obesity, which negatively affects the quality of meat and the health of the animals themselves.

Broiler turkey diseases

Broilers do not have a strong immune system, so they are susceptible to a number of diseases. In order to avoid the spread of the disease, a number of maintenance rules must be observed:

All feed must be fresh and of good quality. It is categorically undesirable to give spoiled food to broilers.
Periodic disinfection of the poultry house is necessary using special agents or ordinary slaked lime.
Dryness and warmth in a room is vital. The litter should be dry and fresh.
Feeders need to be cleaned regularly. Leftover food deteriorates and contributes to the development of infections.
When breeding broiler turkeys, it is necessary to vaccinate.

There are a number of diseases that broiler turkeys are most susceptible to:

Respiratory mycoplasmosis... Often occurs in winter with improper bird maintenance. Symptoms include eye inflammation and nasal discharge.
Tuberculosis... Affects the respiratory system. Sick birds go to slaughter, and the house is thoroughly disinfected and left alone for several months.
Histomoniasis. The disease affects the liver and manifests itself as diarrhea.
Smallpox... An incurable disease, symptoms of which are fearfulness, loss of appetite, weight loss, and ruffled feathers. Poultry is vaccinated against this disease.

Broiler turkeys are often susceptible to diseases of the digestive system. To prevent such problems, vaccinations are carried out, and courses of antibiotics are also used.

Attention, only TODAY!

Turkeys are essentially a type of poultry. Breeding this living creature in a suburban area or on a farm, of course, is quite profitable. In some cases, a broiler turkey can weigh up to 25 kg. Raising such a bird is relatively easy.However, an entrepreneur who decides to organize a farm of such specialization, of course, must know and exactly follow all the required technologies for keeping turkeys.

Where to begin?

A successful turkey breeding farm will, of course, only if the farmer initially manages to acquire good healthy young growth. Of course, chicks can also be hatched independently - in an incubator. However, experts still advise beginners when organizing a farm to purchase not eggs from a poultry farm, but young animals. At the same time, it is better to buy not daily turkey poults, but grown-up ones - two-week or monthly. Such chicks are already warm enough and are immune to many diseases. And, therefore, the lunge in the herd will not be too large.

The best breeds of broiler turkeys

When purchasing chicks, you should pay attention not only to their age. A successful farm will be organized only if the correct breed of turkeys is selected. The selection of this bird in our country and abroad is quite active. There are a lot of broiler turkey breeds. At the same time, the most popular among farmers today are:

BIG-6.
Station wagon.
Khidon.
White broad-chested.

White broiler turkeys BIG can reach a weight of 22-25 kg. At the same time, they gain muscle mass rather quickly. Such a bird reaches its slaughter weight already at the age of 90 days. The plumage of the BIG is pure white. There is a small black spot only on the chest.

The station wagon was bred by the breeders of our country. Therefore, this bird is very well adapted to the climatic conditions of Russia. By the time of slaughter, such hybrids can reach a weight of 18 kg.

Headon crosses were developed in the Netherlands. The weight of a broiler turkey of this breed can be up to 20 kg. Such a hybrid is gaining body mass quickly. But he also has one significant drawback. The young, unfortunately, usually have a very big lunge.

White broad-breasted turkey reaches a weight of 20-25 kg. The advantages of this breed include, first of all, the high taste of meat. The disadvantage of this cross is considered whimsical content and a tendency to disease.

Building a poultry house

How should broiler turkeys be kept on a farm? Growing this bird at home is carried out, of course, only in the most suitable and convenient room for it. The shed in any case must exactly meet all the necessary requirements. In a turkey house, it is mandatory to provide:

good lighting;
ventilation;
heating.

Naturally, among other things, the house should be properly equipped. It should be equipped with perches, nests, feeders and drinkers. The floor in the turkey house is recommended to be made of solid planks. It should be raised about 20-25 centimeters above ground level. Lay a thick straw mat on top of the floor. Feeders for turkeys should be fixed on the wall at the level of the bird's back. This will prevent scattering and trampling of feed, and therefore save the farmer from unnecessary costs. Drinking bowls in the barn are usually located at the neck level of the turkeys.

The windows in the poultry house are placed in such a way that during the day the floors in it are illuminated throughout the area. Ventilation in the turkey house is supplemented with a valve. This avoids hypothermia of the bird during the winter period. Broiler turkey, in comparison with the usual one, in the opinion of most farmers, is a rather tender animal and does not differ in very good health.

Rules for feeding turkeys

The diet of broiler poultry, of course, should be as balanced and nutritious as possible. Only in this case will the turkeys gain weight quickly. 70% of the diet of poultry should be feed containing a large amount of protein. This can be, for example, cereals or legumes. In particular, turkeys are often given oats and buckwheat. It is mandatory to feed this bird and cake.It is believed that sprouted wheat is also very useful for such agricultural animals.

The mineral and vitamin balance in the body of poultry such as broiler turkey is usually maintained by farmers with the help of meat and bone meal and fish oil. Of course, green fodder should also be fed to the livestock. In summer, the bird is given chopped grass, carrot and radish tops, lettuce and cabbage leaves. In winter, turkeys should receive silage and spruce needles.

Feeding time

The most nutritious food is usually given to broilers at night. In this case, the bird will gain weight faster. The turkey mash is most often done only during the day. Of course, you should always feed the bird at the same time.

What rules must be followed when keeping turkeys without fail

In order for the bird to feel as comfortable as possible in the barn and not get sick, the owner of the backyard should take care of the following conditions:

shed nests should be placed in dark places;
roosts are installed at a height of approximately 70 cm from the floor;
pots with ash should be installed in the poultry house;
drinkers and feeders should be cleaned regularly;
broilers should be kept separate from any other poultry.

It is advisable to walk in front of the turkey barn. But letting a bird out on the street for the whole day, of course, is not worth it. Otherwise, the turkeys will not gain the prescribed weight.

Reproduction

Many farmers are also interested in ways to increase the number of poultry such as broiler turkeys on the farm. Breeding this animal is relatively difficult. As with chickens, the offspring of turkey crosses, unfortunately, do not adopt the high productive qualities of their parents. You can get good young growth from eggs laid by a bird only if it is not a hybrid, but belongs to some good meat breed.

In principle, it is quite possible to get cross-broiler chicks in an incubator on your own. But in this case, the eggs will have to be bought at the poultry farm. They cost, of course, cheaper than turkey poults. But it is quite difficult to bring chicks out of them without loss without proper experience.

Turkey eggs should be incubated in strict compliance with the prescribed temperature and humidity conditions. The offspring of this bird appears about 26-29 days after laying in the apparatus. Actually, the incubation of turkey eggs itself is divided into four main periods. From the first to the eighth day, the temperature inside the apparatus should be 37.5-38 degrees, and the humidity should be 60-65%. Turn the eggs at this time at least six times a day.

The temperature and humidity parameters for the other three periods can be found in the table below.

Period	Temperature, degrees Celsius	Humidity	Coup
9-14 days	37.7-38	45-50%	4-6 times
15-25	37.5	65%	4-6 times
Hatching		65-70%	—

Starting from the 15th day, eggs should be cooled for 10-15 minutes every day. Do not perform this procedure only during the hatching period.

Broiler turkeys: raising young

After chicks hatch, they should be placed in boxes or a special brooder and provided with 24/7 lighting. This will keep the potential lunge to a minimum. One day after hatching, the lamp in the box or brooder can be turned off for half an hour. Then the lighting time is reduced by another 30 minutes every day.

The litter of turkey poults should be changed as it becomes dirty. Chicks should have food and drink in a box or brooder at all times. At first, young animals should be fed with a special mixture "Start". You can also offer the chicks chopped egg and cottage cheese. The turkey poults are watered for the first three days not with raw water, but with green tea.

Possible diseases

Broiler turkeys, the photos of which are presented in the article, as already mentioned, do not differ in particularly good health, unfortunately. This bird can get sick quite easily. That is why it is so important to exactly follow all the necessary rules for its content.

Most often, broiler turkeys get sick:

Tuberculosis. In this case, the bird behaves sluggishly and apathetically. Nodules appear on the skin of turkeys. The feces become liquid.
Smallpox. This dangerous disease is characterized primarily by the ruffled feathers of the bird and lowered wings. Later, characteristic smallpox spots appear on the skin of turkeys.
Mycoplasmosis. A broiler turkey that has caught this infection loses its sight. At the same time, the bird develops discharge from the nose and eyes.

Treating broiler turkey diseases is very difficult. Moreover, any infection can lead not only to a decrease in productivity, but also to the death of birds and the loss of livestock. That is why the owner of the farm should make sure that the turkeys do not get overcooled, eat poor-quality feed and do not drink dirty water as closely as possible. If all the technologies for keeping this bird are observed, the risk of any diseases in the herd can be almost completely reduced to zero.

The turkey is a large poultry. Broiler turkeys have become very popular today. The meat of this bird has excellent taste and dietary qualities. Growing broiler turkeys at home is a profitable business. The bird is unpretentious and reproduces well. Her eggs are far superior to chicken eggs.

Broiler turkey breed white broad-breasted

Turkey meat breeds

The most popular among breeders are imported breeds. they gave rise to the breeding of meat breeds of poultry of large weight categories. These are mainly broad-breasted turkey breeds.

To obtain broilers, groups of birds are selected from the best breeds, in which the necessary qualities are most pronounced. By crossing them, poultry farmers get new types of offspring, groups that are divided into:

lungs - up to 9 kg;
medium - up to 18 kg;
heavy - up to 25 kg.

The following breeds are recommended for breeding poultry at home:

Canadian broad-breasted;
wide-breasted white;
big - 6;
big - 9;
Moscow bronze.

These species are capable of gaining weight up to 20 kg. Therefore, they are cost effective.

The higher the weight of the turkey, the more profitable the breeding business.

Canadian broad-breasted breed

Broad-breasted broilers are a productive breed. Before breeding this species, it was necessary to conduct a thorough selection.

The bird gains weight quickly. Growing it is possible on any feed, but in order to get the most delicious meat, it is better to feed it with high-calorie feed. Additionally, add vitamins and minerals to the feed. After six weeks, wide-breasted turkeys reach a weight of 5 kg. Birds should be given room temperature water at all times. The cleanliness of the drinking bowls must be constantly monitored. You can slaughter birds for meat after 90 days. At 9 months of age, Canadian broad-breasted turkeys lay their eggs.

The Canadian broad-breasted turkey is unpretentious in nutrition and quickly gains weight

White broad-breasted

For the first time, white broad-breasted turkeys were bred in North America in the twentieth century. The bird's body is covered with bright white feathers, and on the chest there is a pronounced bow of black feathers. The large body has an oval shape.

White types of broad-breasted breeds are popular, as their weight reaches 25 kg. True, whites grow slower than Canadians, but they are unpretentious to growing in cages.

Turkeys start laying at 9 months. White broad-breasted ones are distinguished by excellent meat and high egg production. Masonry lasts several months. During this time, white breeds lay about a hundred eggs, and almost 90% of them are fertilized.

White species are quite demanding on food. They need high-quality feed and useful additives.

Breeds Big - 6 and Big - 9

These breeds represent the heaviest crosses. Therefore, Big - 6 and Big - 9 are very popular. Carcass weight reaches 30 kg. And out of 100%, a little more than 80 is meat.No other animal kept at home can show similar indicators.

Turkey Big-6 can reach a weight of 30 kg

The breeds of turkeys Big - 6, Big - 9, as well as BYuT-8 were bred by an English company, which today is a trademark. To breed them, “light” females and heavyweight males were crossed. Outwardly, turkeys are similar to white broad-breasted ones, their main difference is meat productivity. The poultry is sent for slaughter after 3-4 months.

In 26 weeks, the Big breed is capable of laying 118 eggs, the hatchability of which is just over 80%.

Moscow bronze

The breed was obtained by crossing local bronze with bronze broad-breasted in the middle of the twentieth century. Productivity for laying eggs is about 90 pieces, and their fertility is above 90%. The weight of females reaches 7 kg, males - up to 12.

Growing this breed at home is able to provide the population with both eggs and excellent dietary meat.

Moscow bronze turkey can gain weight up to 12 kg

Poultry keeping conditions

The turkey does not need to equip a separate room. If you have a chicken shed, you can use it if:

there is a lot of space in the room, not crowded, since turkeys are larger than chickens;
hay is used as bedding;
dry;
there is good lighting;
there is ventilation;
the optimum indoor temperature prevails;
there are no drafts.

Equip a place for walking in good weather. The bird requires cleanliness. Therefore, constant cleaning is mandatory. In addition, cleanliness will prevent infections. Small turkeys grow up and gain weight quickly. In six months, the bird reaches 10-12 kg, but this happens subject to the conditions of feeding and keeping.

In no case should sawdust or shavings be used as bedding for keeping poultry.

Turkeys need a place to walk in the fresh air

Care and nutrition of broiler turkeys

In the first days after birth, the chicks begin to grow rapidly. Farmers who plan to breed birds need to know about this. At this time, grain, cottage cheese and milk powder, as well as meat and bone and fish meal are added to the nutritious feed.

After 2 weeks, the poults are given dry food. To do this, use sunflower cake, peas and grain, add chalk.

The first feed after birth should take place within 20 hours. Newborn turkey poults are endowed with a weak sense of smell and vision, therefore, if they are not fed on time, they will begin to peck whatever they come across. On the first day after birth, the chicks are given carrot or nettle juice. Protein is required for growth. In addition to food, they provide greens, cabbage leaves, beets, carrots along with tops, as well as clover and nettles.

Corn flour and wheat flour are useful treats for pets. After two hours, the bird should be fed with moist mash with added yeast and sifted oatmeal and barley flour. The mash is moistened not only with water, but also with yogurt, as birds love dairy products. Additionally, fish and meat waste are added to the food of turkeys.

One and a half year old birds can be fed whole grains. Within 2 weeks, the norm of grain in food should be 50%.

Adult turkeys can eat whole grains

Errors in fattening

The main mistakes farmers make when feeding turkeys:

they are fed like chickens;
give fatty feed, due to which the chicks become obese, the condition of the bird worsens.

Therefore, turkeys need a balanced diet so that they gain weight correctly.

Broiler turkeys are a profitable purchase for any farm. Growing poultry at home is not difficult. The main thing is to provide them with all the necessary conditions and feed them correctly. Due to the large total weight, the costs for turkeys are fully justified.

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Date of publication:Growing