How to grow wide-breasted turkeys at home?

The breed of white broad-breasted turkeys was bred in North America in the mid-60s of the last century, by crossing a white Dutch turkey and bronze broad-breasted turkeys. After some time, it was brought to the territory of Russia and began to be raised as an industrial poultry to obtain valuable dietary meat.

In this article, we will look at the care and feeding of broad-breasted white turkeys. We will find out how they look, get acquainted with the characteristics of the breed and learn about their breeding.

White Stavropol turkeys: breed description

Appearance

White wide-breasted turkey differs from birds of other breeds by an oval, upright body, wide massive chest and powerful pink legs. The feather color of turkeys is crystal white. Some birds have a patch of dark feathers on their chests.

The head and neck of the bird are long, bare. The color of the skin on the head and neck is bright red. On the head of the birds there are fleshy warty growths that resemble earrings. The same growth is found under the beak.

Temperament

Stavropol wide-breasted turkeys are distinguished by an agreeable disposition. From turkeys, wonderful hens come out, including when ducklings, chickens and even goslings are placed under them. Birds love long walks in the fresh air, raising this breed of turkeys, you need to take care of walking. Cellular maintenance is also possible, but again, only if there is free access to fresh air and walking.

An adult turkey is in the pen for at least 1 hour, young animals - at least 2-3 hours.

If there are conditions for keeping birds in a spacious poultry house, it is better to refuse cage keeping.

Turkeys and turkeys of this breed are distinguished by their extensive dimensions, heavy weight and thick plumage, in conditions of a lack of space and space for movement, they can be hot.

The birds wither and get sick. So that the well-being of the birds does not deteriorate, it is necessary to provide at least 1 meter of free space for each of them. This rule must be observed both for walking and cage keeping.

Grown up white broad-breasted turkeys

Industrial farms or home gardens

The breed of white broad-breasted turkeys is bred most often on an industrial scale, but these birds also feel no less comfortable on personal plots, differing in their amazing ability to quickly adapt to any conditions of detention.

For breeding white wide-breasted turkeys, an ordinary barn is suitable, where other birds may also be located. The only thing that should be taken care of in advance is the provision of a separate room for males during the breeding season. At this time, turkeys become extremely aggressive and can even attack humans; other birds should be kept away from them as far as possible.

Breed characteristics

The weight of turkeys and turkeys depends on their belonging to one of the three groups into which the breed is divided.

1. Lightweight. The weight of turkeys does not exceed 9 kilograms, turkeys - 5 kilograms. Grown mainly for industrial purposes, kept in cages.
2. Average. The weight of turkeys reaches 17 kilograms, turkeys - 7 kilograms. It is grown both in private plots and on an industrial scale, mainly in a pen.
3. Heavy. The weight of an adult male can exceed 26 kilograms, and that of a female - 11 kilograms. Young individuals reach a weight of 11 kilograms by the age of six months.

Egg production. This breed of turkeys is not famous for its high egg production rates. On average, the egg-laying period lasts from six months to 9 months. During this time, the female manages to lay a little more than 100 eggs, covered with a dense shell. The color of the eggs is beige, there are specks.

Mass of eggs. Turkey eggs are large, their weight is much larger than chicken eggs and is at least 85 grams. Eggshells are hard and difficult to break or strangle. Sometimes in large eggs, two yolks can be found at the same time.

Consumption of compound feed per day. Adult turkeys should be fed at least 3 times a day. At the same time, one bird must consume at least 500-800 grams of feed. During the period of breeding mating, the need for food increases, therefore the number of feedings at this time is brought to 5, with the calculation of at least 1 kilogram of food per 1 head.

In the morning and in the afternoon, the birds are fed with wet food, in the evening with dry food. The birds benefit from juicy feed, which guarantees a large amount of juicy meat in the future.

How much feed for 1 egg?During the laying period, one female should eat at least half a kilogram of feed per day. To create a full-fledged forage base in the winter, it is advisable to stock up on some hay. In summer, birds are advised to feed chopped grass.

White broad-chested breed in the paddock

Breeding white broad-breasted turkeys

Food: chickens, adult turkeys, layers. To obtain a large number of eggs and meat, turkeys need adequate feeding. The daily food ration should consist of wet and dry food, vegetables, fruits and all kinds of vitamin supplements. The diet of white broad-breasted turkey poults necessarily includes:

• dry and sprouted grain;
• dry and wet mash;
• greens;
• carrots, cabbage, beets.

Particular attention is paid to feeding and keeping the young. Newborn turkeys are kept in specially equipped boxes with a constant temperature of at least 36 degrees and constant light sources.

Young turkeys are fed with crushed eggs and small grains. Instead of water, you can give turkey poults milk, but only if the farm has its own cow and the milk is constantly fresh. Beginning at the age of one month, turkey poults are fed with mash, consisting of wet cereals and herbs, mixed in water.

Young nettles, slightly dried alfalfa or cabbage leaves are suitable for making mash. In specialized stores, ready-made mash-ups for turkey poults are on sale, saturated with all essential minerals and vitamins. Adult birds will also not refuse such a diet.

White wide-breasted turkeys in the yard

Features of growing and care

You should not be zealous with feed, since birds reach their maximum weight at the age of 1.5 years. At the same time, the growth of turkeys and their weight gain stops at about 6 months, which makes their further industrial maintenance unprofitable, because it is the young bird that has not yet matured that enters the meat markets.

Old turkeys and turkeys, whose meat has lost its inherent tenderness and softness, are sent for processing in order to obtain sausages and pates.

Diseases of turkey poults and treatment at home

Adult turkeys rarely get sick, but young animals suffer from a runny nose and various infectious diseases. Left untreated, the disease leads to serious consequences and even the death of the livestockTherefore, widespread vaccination of turkeys of this breed is recommended.

Birds are considered thermophilic, the air temperature in the room should not drop below 15 degrees. In addition, infectious diseases such as:

• brucellosis;
• tuberculosis;
• histomonosis;
• smallpox.

The listed diseases are difficult to treat with antibiotics, provoke massive forced slaughter of poultry, therefore the task of each poultry farmer is to create conditions that block their appearance.

Particular attention in this regard should be paid to the cleanliness of the house. The walls of the premises should be treated with lime; after the slaughter of the livestock, the poultry house should be treated with chlorophos several times.

The treatment will destroy existing insects and prevent their further appearance. In addition, it is recommended to urgently seal any holes that appear in the floor and walls of the room, through which rodents penetrate, bringing diseases dangerous to birds. Turkeys often suffer from worms, which also affect the respiratory system. For prophylaxis, it is recommended to purchase appropriate drugs from a veterinary pharmacy on a monthly basis and give them to birds.

Improper feeding of turkeys leads to the development of a perverse appetite... Signs of the disease are an increased interest in swallowing chips, dry leaves, stones and other foreign objects. Fighting the disease can only be done by establishing the strictest diet and transferring birds to a balanced feed ration.

View of white wide-breasted turkeys on the run

Advantages and disadvantages of the breed

When breeding white broad-breasted turkeys, there are much more advantages than disadvantages. So, for six months of intensive feeding, it is possible to get an almost adult bird, ready for slaughter, weighing up to 11 kilograms. No other bird weighs that much by this age. Turkeys are unpretentious in keeping, like other birds, they need a lot of fresh air, a lighted room and access to walking. Delicate and healthy poultry meat is very popular with buyers.

The only drawback of turkeys is that they consume a large amount of feed.

Reviews

Tatyana Ivanovna: The breed is wonderful, it pleases that there is a choice between light and heavy turkeys. I personally raise turkeys weighing up to 14 kilograms, but I am familiar with farmers who feed birds weighing up to 30 kilograms.
Zinaida Leonidovna: Nice birds, I will definitely buy myself a couple. I only heard that they need to be artificially inseminated. I don't know if it's true or not, but I'll buy the birds anyway. I really liked their meat. A friend ordered such a turkey for my birthday, meat was just in bulk, I want to grow one for myself.
Gennady Nikolaevich: I have been raising turkeys for a long time and I am constantly amazed at the complaints of poultry farmers about the difficulties with raising young stock of a white broad-breasted breed. I personally did not have any problems with this, most of the eggs were not only fertilized, but also with healthy tenacious turkeys inside. I recommend this breed to both beginner and experienced farmers. Bird lovers website.

As you can see, raising white broad-breasted turkey poults at home is extremely profitable from an economic point of view. Birds get sick a little, adapt well, have good egg production and no tendency to obesity. White females are good brood hens and males rarely show signs of aggression.

Wide-breasted white turkeys - growing and caring for this poultry is not only interesting, but also profitable. In order to get excellent dietary meat, you need to choose the right breed and adhere to simple maintenance rules.

• Favorable conditions for keeping turkeys

Turkeys feel great in an ordinary barn, it must be roomy so that the birds can move freely. In the room, it is necessary to install perches (wide beams) at a height of about 80 cm from the floor. Each individual is provided with 40 cm of free space where it will feel comfortable. A nest is set up in the barn, measuring 50 × 70 cm, where birds can lay eggs. One nest is needed for five layers. It should be placed at a height of 50-60 cm, it is important to make steps.

Turkeys are not whimsical, however, they need to create favorable conditions in which the birds will feel comfortable and not get sick. How to keep turkeys at home:

• in summer, the temperature in the room should not exceed +20 ° С, and in winter not lower than -5 ° С (if necessary, install a stove to maintain heat);
• special holes (hoods) are made on the walls of the shed so that it is well ventilated;
• birds are afraid of dampness and drafts, such conditions have a detrimental effect on them;
• straw or sawdust bedding is changed 2 times a week.

At different times of the year, broad-breasted white turkeys need special feeding and care. In the summer, you can equip a playground and make sheds where they can walk freely. Be sure to supply drinking bowls and feeders. It is necessary to supplement the diet with fresh grass, for example, alfalfa, clover.

In winter, at a temperature of no more than -5 ° C, turkeys are released outside. If the temperature drops below, then it is necessary to scatter straw on the snow, this will protect the birds from freezing.

Feeding turkeys at home

The successful rearing of poultry depends on proper and balanced nutrition. The main diet of turkeys should be grain and feed. In summer, it is important to give more greens: carrot tops, green onions, dandelions. Birds love wheat, barley and corn; dry grain is best served in the evening. Birds perfectly eat both dry and wet mash (it is better to give it in the morning and at lunchtime).

In winter, birds need vitamins that are found in common vegetables: carrots, beets, cabbage. During the summer season, experienced farmers stock up on hay and give it to turkeys soaked in winter.

Cabbage is an essential ingredient for turkeys, regularly adding it to the diet, poultry meat will be soft and tender.

How to raise turkeys at home

Compared to other young poultry, turkey poults are the most resilient. The main thing that they require is a calm and comfortable environment. At home, growing white broad-breasted turkey poults begins with choosing a warm place. It can be a box, its bottom is covered with straw or shavings. Their house must be constantly lit, it is important to maintain one temperature not higher than + 37 °.

The bottom of the box must not be covered with newspaper, as the legs of the turkey poults slide on it and are injured.

Babies need to change the water 3 times a day, adding only warm drink. It is important to feed the chicks at least 8 times. In the first month, the diet should include small cereals and boiled eggs. Large grains and grass are gradually added:

• young nettle;
• Clover;
• cabbage leaves;
• green onions and lettuce;
• alfalfa.

Special compound feeds filled with vitamins are added to the diet, they accelerate the development of healthy chicks. Turkey poults need vitamins A and B, as well as animal proteins.

Twice a week you need to disinfect the gastrointestinal tract with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

The first months, chicks of white broad-breasted turkeys require special feeding and care, but then they will grow well. Adults are not whimsical at all, so breeding this type of bird will be a pleasure.

Feeding turkey poults - video

A turkey is considered a royal bird, people are attracted not only by the dietary and tasty meat contained in it with high quality protein content, but also by its unusual color. For those who want to breed or just get aesthetic pleasure, it is enough to know the basic rules of their content.

1 Where to start breeding turkey poults

If you have a desire to breed these birds, then for a start you need to decide on the breed... If you like a partridge-like mountain turkey, then this is not a good option, as its habitat is mountainous in certain places and attracts more hunters who are interested in them. Among the variety of poultry, it is the turkey that has a limited number of breeds suitable for breeding on their farm. Here are some examples of turkey breeds that are in demand from private farmers and suitable for home breeding:

North Caucasian bronze turkey

The long-known breed is suitable for grazing.

Appearance: bronze shades with a luster of green tones, along the feathers of the loin, back and tail there is a strip of bronze tint. The breast of a turkey is gray, located through the white border of the feathers. Turkeys are smaller than turkeys.

Weight: turkeys about 14 kg, turkeys up to 7 kg.

Oviposition: starts at 9 months of age and lasts 6 months.

Egg production: one laying period gives about 80 eggs

Egg color: light fawn, speckled.

White North Caucasian breed

It turned out from crossing a white broad-breasted with a bronze breed. In one season, her egg production reaches 160 eggs.

White broad-breasted breed

Due to their good meat properties, fast growth and ability to adapt to any climatic conditions, they are very attractive for breeding.

Appearance: legs of medium length, which are widely spaced, the body is oval with a wide chest, densely set white plumage. After 3 months, their growth remains almost the same.

This breed has 3 varieties:

• Heavy (turkey about 35 kg, turkey - 10 kg).
• Medium (turkey - 15 kg, turkey - 7 kg).
• Lungs (turkey - 8 kg, turkey - 5 kg).

Oviposition: starts at 9 months of age and lasts 7.

Egg production: about 120 eggs in one season.

Egg color: yellow-brown with brown speck.

Bronze broad-breasted turkey

Appearance: similar to the North Caucasian bronze turkey, however, with stronger formed chest muscles. The turkey has a black feather color with a greenish-bronze tint.

Weight: male up to 14.5 kg, female up to 8 kg.

One of the distinguishing features of this breed is the high fertility of eggs, good hatchability of turkey poults and increased viability of the young.

Egg-laying: from 10 months of age

Egg production: about 100 eggs per year

Bronze Turkey and Moscow White

Moscow turkey is popular among domestic farmers, as it has high taste and is well acclimatized.

The data of both breeds: for egg production and reproduction have good indicators.

• Bronze turkey. Appearance: black plumage of bronze tint, wings and tail are covered with light stripes of black and white borders.
• Moscow white. Appearance: white plumage, pink legs and beak and more compact body.

Weight for both breeds: males about 13 kg, females about 7 kg.

Egg-laying: if the light is constantly controlled, then from 6 months, under other circumstances from 9 months.

Egg production: about 100 eggs per year.

Egg color: pink with light brown dots.

2 Breeding turkeys at home, in detail

How to choose turkey poults

To start breeding turkeys, you need to purchase them. Consider poults carefully, for this you need to look:

1. The correctness of reactions to stimuli and general well-being.
2. The presence of fluff without bald patches, thick.
3. The health of the eyes should be prominent and shiny.
4. The umbilical cord should not bleed and look dry.

You can always choose which turkey poults you grow, either purchased from a poultry farm, or you can start breeding from eggs yourself. To understand whether an egg is fertilized or not, there is one way: an egg is lowered into a glass of water and if it remains at the bottom, then it is suitable, and if it floats up, then it is discarded.

The turkey needs more care than broiler chickens and only at 6-8 weeks they become more independent... Poultry that is being prepared for slaughter must be raised for 5-6 months.

How to keep turkeys in the household

First of all, you need to correctly calculate the conditions for their maintenance. One individual needs 2 square meters. m for walking, perches and large nests. Some use old chicken coops. In summer, the bird is walked early in the morning or in the evening, when the heat subsides, you can also make a canopy from the heat and rain over the walking area which is sown with clover, green grass. Sometimes turkeys are walked in the pastures.

The device of a turkey house in a household

The turkey should be grown in a dry, damp-free, especially draft-free, spacious room. Make a ventilated room by installing vents that are needed both in summer and winter. In summer, the maximum temperature in the barn is 20 C, and in winter it is not lower than -5 C. In the place where eggs hatch, the temperature should not drop below 10 C, this will allow early incubation of eggs and the appearance of early offspring.

The floor for the turkey house should be 25 cm higher from the soil level, and be insulated. For the floor, use sawdust or straw flooring for accelerated absorption of moisture. In winter, the flooring should be 10 cm thick.

The roost, where the bird stays at night, is made of poles 7 cm wide, 7 - 10 cm high. Place the roost about 60 - 80 cm above the floor. The distance for each individual is at least 30 cm, and preferably 1 meter.

Forming turkey nests in the household

A bird needs to build a nest correctly so that it can breed. Several nests are formed in the darkest corner, with a height of 60 cm from the floor. The nest must meet the parameters of 50 by 70 cm, and there must be high partitions. 1 nest for 5 females.

The nest is stacked in layers, a little earth to the bottom, then branches and hay. It is possible in a different way to make a circle from bent branches and vines, and lay straw or hay inside.

It is necessary to take into account the need for keeping the female in peace and quiet, since later she will hatch chicks there. A turkey can lay eggs just in any secluded place for her and even in the thickets of the garden, and later independently provide her brood.

Hatching offspring

The turkey rushes from March to June. A turkey hatches from 17-19 eggs, you can also lay chicken or duck eggs, she will hatch them too. In addition, the chicks that appear will be reared as their own. If there is an opportunity to choose between an incubator and a live turkey, then it is better than others for the role of a mother.

A turkey hatches eggs from 27-28 days, sometimes it takes 32 days. During this period, except for the owner, no one should approach the nest. It is necessary to ensure that the bird receives the necessary care, walks every 3 days, leaving the nest while eating and drinking. Sometimes it is necessary to remove it from the nest by hand, for feeding and checking the eggs of "talkers" and for cleaning up the cracked ones.

3 What to do with hatching turkeys?

Chicks bred in an incubator need to equip a room with certain conditions of detention. To start growing, take a large box with bedding, hanging drinkers and a temperature of +37 C, room lighting around the clock.

In the first 3 days chickens are given dry food, 8 times a day. They make boiled millet by mixing eggs with the yolk. This feed is laid out on a non-dyeing cotton cloth and served to the bird. This is necessary so that the soft beak of the turkey is not damaged on a hard surface while eating.On the 5th day, they put a regular feeder. Instead of water in the drinking bowl, a weak solution of potassium permanganate is given twice a week for two days. This is required by the conditions for growing healthy poultry.

Further, finely chopped vegetation (green nettles, lettuce, alfalfa, green onions, cabbage leaves) is added to the feeding process. Compound feed and vitamins are not excluded. At 10 days of age, the chicks are introduced into the diet with a mash (ground oats, corn, wheat, soaked in whey or yogurt, with the addition of herbs). Cheese addition also begins. They make feed by pouring sour milk into barley groats and adding beet, cabbage, and turnip vegetation.

A turkey for adult birds is recognized by an adult when the comb begins to break through, here the main thing is constant grazing. For growing feed is given 2 - 3 times a daybut grazing must take place all day. When this is not possible, then they make green tops, chopped vegetables, sprouted and chopped (wheat, oats, barley).

So that there is no mortality, and the growth of the turkey goes on, you need:

• The room where the young are kept should be kept clean and dry litter.
• There should be a constant t at 37C.
• Feeding takes place 8 times a day with fresh food, just cooked.
• Give potassium permanganate solutions to drink (every two days, pour water into the drinking bowl with a very small solution of potassium permanganate instead of water).
• Constant 60 W lighting is needed so that chicks can easily find food and drink. From the sixth week, an 8 hour light regime is needed at 7 am and 2 pm, for 4 hours.

When you first decided to take chicks from the hatchery, then it is better to take a 2-3 week turkey... During this time, they have become stronger and do not need much attention.

4 How to raise adult turkeys in a private farm

The turkeys are already grown, with the right content they do not bring much trouble, it is enough to withstand the necessary growing conditions and adhere to certain rules:

• The food is only fresh (the feeders are located at the height of the bird's back, and feed is poured by ¾ of the volume of the trough or trough; gravel, chalk, shells are poured into a separate feeder;).
• Clean water in the drinker (the drinker is located at the level of the bird's neck).
• Draft-free room
• The litter is warm and dry, the floor is periodically cleaned and disinfected (hay is scalded with boiling water and dried, and then laid).
• 1 male for 5-10 females.
• Cozy dark places for nests (they should be raised 25 cm above floor level).
• Correct, comfortable roost.
• The temperature in winter is not lower than -15 degrees, where turkeys live. At other times within 10-18C. Air humidity 65%.
• Walking (in winter a couple of hours, at other times free walking). If they move little, then, like chickens, they get fat and stop rushing. Therefore, the diet should be more vegetation and less grains.

5 How to raise white broad-breasted turkey poults

The white broad-breasted turkey is native to Canada and belongs to broilers. They are clean, thermophilic and, despite their small size, gain weight well.

Breeders are faced with the peculiarity of breeding this breed, sometimes artificial insemination is necessary due to the weight difference between the male and the female. Males reach 30 kgand the turkey is half the size, 93% of the eggs are viable.

To get a good result in breeding this breed, you will have to adhere to certain growing conditions:

• The temperature in the house of the turkey and the raised birds should be regular. From + 22-25 C, otherwise runny nose will begin.
• Good lighting
• It is better for young animals to make an open-air cage on the grass, where they will walk.
• This breed feeds on dry (mixed fodder) and wet fodder (softened grains), carrots. Turkey poults are also given cottage cheese, meat and bone meal and buckwheat.
• Feed the grown up 4-5 times a day. In winter, they are given hay, and in summer, grass.
• Drinking is best given from a bucket, such a container is more suitable for them and they do not turn it over.
• The food is given in the amount of 30 minutes of meals at a time.
• The premises where they are located must be disinfected from insects and rodents, as they can serve the development of infectious diseases. Apply solutions (chlorophos is possible). If this breed was slaughtered, the first processing of the room is carried out. After a day rinse the house and disinfect again.

In all other respects, they need the same care and attention for growing as for other breeds of turkey poults.

Breeding poultry is a profitable business in modern realities, even in our unstable times. The greatest profit in monetary terms can be obtained by breeding turkeys.

Turkey poults grow quickly, and within 7-9 months after birth, young turkeys gain weight and begin to rush. Some breeds, with proper care, reach a weight of 30 kg.

Due to its properties, meat is easily sold, it is considered dietary and is easily digested not only by adults, but also by the elderly and even small children. In many respects, this type of meat is superior to chicken, beef and fish. It contains a large amount of potassium, iron, zinc, sodium and phosphorus, which are beneficial for the heart, blood vessels, blood, joints and immunity.

The advantage of breeding turkeys is not only that they provide a large amount of meat, they also produce hatching eggs, and feathers and down are widely used in industry.

There are many breeds of turkeys, but the best for breeding:

• white and bronze broad-chested,
• North Caucasian bronze,
• Moscow white and bronze.

The first two breeds are leaders among poultry breeders due to:

1. rapid growth,
2. total weight,
3. quick payback.

VIDEO ON TOPIC

Types of broad-breasted turkey - characteristics and performance indicators

The most popular breeds of broad-breasted turkeys in Russia are broad-breasted white and broad-breasted bronze.Wide-breasted turkey poults they quickly adapt to any climate, are distinguished by good egg production and rapid growth.

Turkey white broad-breasted

There are three groups of this breed of turkeys, which differ in size and weight (in the first place is the weight of the female, in the last is the male):

• lungs (5-9 kg),
• medium (7-15 kg)
• heavy (10-24 kg).

White broad-breasted turkey breed refers to universal - both meat and good egg-laying (they begin to lay eggs at the age of about 9 months and within 6-8 months they give more than a hundred eggs with an average weight of 70 grams, that is, about 17 eggs per month). The birds are fairly easy to care for. They grow up to the age of 1.5 years.

Appearance:

White broad-breasted turkeys are distinguished by an oval and slightly upright body and a massive broad chest. The paws of birds are powerful and set wide apart, the toes are well developed. The color of the plumage is pure white, but on the chest there is a small black "medallion" of black feathers.

Advantages:

1. excellent meat qualities,
2. high egg production,
3. accelerated growth and weight gain,
4. also this breed is often used by breeders to develop new breeds, gives a large offspring.

Bronze broad-breasted turkey

As the name of the breed implies, these turkeys are distinguished by a powerful and wide chest, the color of the plumage in males is black, with a greenish-bronze tint. The average weight of females is 7-8 kg, and that of males is 14.5 kg. Representatives of the bronze broad-breasted turkey breed are distinguished by good egg production (they begin to lay at 10 months of age and give about a hundred eggs per year - about 8-10 eggs per month are produced by one female). The offspring are healthy, strong, viable, chicks grow quickly.

Bronze and white broad-breasted turkey

How to keep a white and bronze broad-chested turkey - care

If you are going to grow turkey poults of white and bronze broad-breasted breeds on your farm, then for a start it will be enough to equip them with a small corner in the warm part of the chicken coop.You can raise turkey chicks in cages.

The choice of one of these two methods is yours:

• it is easier to care for chicks in cages and maintain sanitary conditions,
• for the arrangement of the corral, the most minimal costs will be required. For small chicks, 1 square meter is enough for 4-5 individuals, but when they reach 4 months of age, the area will need to be doubled.

It is advisable to make the floor in the hen house wooden (later you can replace it with a mesh one). Before settling the turkey poults, be sure to disinfect, sprinkle the floor with slaked lime, and then put the bedding on it. At the very beginning, it can be sand, which is eventually replaced by a mixture of sawdust, dry corn stalks, hay and straw.

Bronze turkeys less whimsical in comparison with white broad-breasted, the latter requires better and more responsible care.

Rules for caring for turkeys:

• Cleanliness: the litter must be dry and clean, so wet and dirty parts of it must be changed in a timely manner so that the chicks do not develop infectious diseases. You need to do daily cleaning, and you can completely change the litter once a week.
• Feeder: at first, in order to prevent the tender beaks of the chicks from getting hurt, it is necessary to use soft feeders, for example, made of cloth. You can use rubber or silicone containers as feeders for turkey poults. When the chicks' beaks are strong enough, you can start using ordinary feeders, when choosing, give preference to grooved ones.
• Drinker: Choose one that is safe for young chicks. If they accidentally fall into it and get wet, then this will most likely lead to the fact that they will get sick.
• Location: In small turkey poults, vision is very weak, so such important elements as a drinker and a feeder should be located in the lightest part of the pen or cage. Also, use brightly colored feed additives (such as egg yolk or colored cereals) to make it easier for the chicks to distinguish their food.
• Lighting: Until the chicks are 10 days old, they should be kept under 24/7 lighting. Later, you can gradually reduce the light intensity, and eventually bring it to a standard 8-hour daylight hours.
• Temperature: be sure to observe the temperature regime, otherwise the chicks may die. You need to measure the room temperature about 10 cm from the floor, it should be about 35 degrees.
• Nutrition: if you have newborn turkeys, then they need to be fed for the first time after hatching after 12-15 hours. As a feed, you can choose an ordinary compound feed for any poultry - this is the best option, since it contains all the necessary trace elements and vitamins. You can also prepare food yourself from a mixture of grain flour (mostly corn), milk, fermented milk products, ground grain, fish oil, cottage cheese, fresh herbs and eggs.
• Drinking: The water should be warmed up to 24-25 degrees for young chicks, later it can be at the ambient temperature. Clean drinking water must be available at all times.
• Walking: Birds need fresh air, sunlight, movement and the ability to nibble on fresh grass to keep them healthy. Turkey poults growing under the supervision of a laying hen can be released for walking after they reach the age of 2 weeks, of course, if the weather is warm and dry enough. If they are growing on their own, it is best to wait until they reach 9 weeks of age.

When keeping adult turkeys, in principle, the same conditions must be observed with regard to cleanliness, nutrition, drinking and temperature (especially if you breed turkeys broad-breasted in winter), but by a certain age the birds become strong and healthy, so such careful supervision as chicks is no longer required.

Can a white broad-breasted turkey hatch chicks?

It is possible to hatch turkey chicks from eggs, both with the help of an incubator, and by laying eggs under the hen. If you are raising turkey poults on an industrial scale, then in this case you cannot do without an incubator. But when breeding turkeys in small numbers, for example, for personal use or for sale, you can also use the natural method.

Before you lay fertilized eggs (and most eggs of the white wide-breasted turkey are fertilized) in an incubator or under a laying hen, they can be stored for up to a week under a certain temperature regime without losing their properties.

If you decide to use a laying hen for incubating chicks, then it is advisable to lay eggs under it on the 5th day after laying.

The turkey can incubate its own and other domestic birds' eggs.

Turkeys hatch 26-28 days after the start of incubation. Chicks are born in groups, then it is advisable to continue to keep them in the same flocks, adding to them chicks from other turkeys that hatched at the same time. Female turkeys have excellent maternal instinct, and one hen is able to raise and raise up to 60 chicks at a time. In the room where the laying hen with turkey poults is kept, be sure to keep the temperature at least 28 degrees.

Where to Buy White & Bronze Turkey Hatching Egg

Depending on the weight group of an adult bird (light, medium or heavy), the weight of the eggs also differs.

When choosing eggs for incubating chicks, pay attention to their appearance:

• they should be smooth
• without grooves, roughness,
• traces of mold,
• The yolk should be inactive and located in the middle of the egg.

Choose eggs with the correct shape, not too large or too small. If you are interested in a question, where to buy turkey poults or eggs for hatching chicks, then give preference to proven poultry farms and farms with extensive experience in breeding healthy turkeys.