Incubation of turkey eggs: temperature, timing

Turkeys are considered pretty good hens. However, young animals of this valuable poultry can be obtained immediately in large quantities only if they are bred using an incubator. Modern models of such devices can be designed to simultaneously output 50-250 chicks. Of course, the incubation of turkey eggs, just like any other, should be carried out with exact observance of temperature and humidity conditions.

Features of breeding turkeys

Puberty in this poultry occurs at the age of 8-9 months. Turkeys begin to hike around mid-late May.

To get as many eggs from each bird as possible, the owner of the farm should follow some rules:

1. The herd should contain turkeys of only one age.
2. The house needs to be kept at an optimum temperature.
3. You cannot place too many turkeys in the barn. On one head there should be at least 1 m ^{2 of the} area of ​​the room.

Actually, the laying of eggs in turkeys is periodic. The farm owner who wants to get a lot of chicks, this feature should be considered necessarily. The bird lays 4-6 eggs, and then pauses for 1-3 days. Over time, such breaks increase. To prevent this from happening, the house should be equipped with good lighting (approximately 14 hours a day).

Turkeys usually begin to clatter right after they lay 10-12 eggs. To force the bird to continue laying, it needs to be moved to a cooler place. You can also allow males to turkeys or use strong irritants (very bright light or noises).

Which incubator to choose

Almost all models of devices existing in the domestic market are suitable for the output of young turkeys. When choosing an incubator, you should pay attention mainly only to its quality and functionality. It is easiest to observe all the conditions for incubation of turkey eggs, according to many owners of the houses, when using the apparatus of the brands "Poseda", "BLITZ". The main advantages of these incubators are large capacity, automatic tray rotation and not too high cost. Owners of household plots and small farms also consider good brands such as “The Perfect Hen”, “Ryaba” and “Cinderella” to be good brands.

Egg storage

Modern models of incubators are designed, as already mentioned, for the simultaneous withdrawal of 50-250 chicks. In order to fill the apparatus completely, eggs usually have to be stored for some time. This should be done correctly. The turkey eggs intended for incubation are stored for no more than one and a half weeks at a temperature of 8-12 degrees. The humidity in the room should be 75-80%. If these rules are not violated, the development of the embryo interrupted after the demolition is easily resumed, and the incubation of turkey eggs will begin successfully.

Importance of Compliance

When hatching eggs, the hen can rotate them several dozen times a day. Moreover, with her body she creates an optimal microclimate for the development of embryos. About the same thing happens in an incubator. But, of course, the coup in this case is performed much less frequently. Therefore, incubation of turkey eggs should be carried out with the strictest observance of temperature and humidity conditions. For any abnormalities, the embryo in the egg may adhere to the film. As a result, he simply will not succeed in going out later. The turkey embryo turns into a full-fledged chick within 28 days.

How to lay in an incubator

The position of the eggs in the apparatus chamber primarily depends on the particular model. In some incubators they are placed horizontally, in others - vertically. In the second case, when laying, it is important to ensure that there is no gap between the eggs. Otherwise, when you turn the tray, they can simply fall out and break. If there are gaps, they should be laid with foam rubber.

Incubation of turkey eggs at home in a horizontal position is usually done when the device does not have an automatic rotation function. With such a bookmark on the shell, you need to immediately make small marks. This is necessary in order not to get confused when you perform turns manually. Markings should be made with a simple pencil. Markers cannot be used for this purpose. The chemicals contained in them can penetrate the shell and harm the embryo.

Incubation of turkey eggs: regimen table

The temperature and humidity during hatchery of this poultry should be approximately the same as when breeding chickens. Many owners of mini-farms even recommend incubating eggs of hens and turkeys together. This is quite acceptable, but only subject to strict adherence to the regime.

What specifically should be the humidity and temperature of incubation of turkey eggs, as well as the number of necessary turns and airings in a given period of embryo development, can be seen in the table below.

Since the incubation of turkey eggs at home usually begins simultaneously, chicks also hatch in most cases together. This procedure usually lasts no more than a day. If not all turkeys hatch during this time, eggs can be left in the incubator for another day. It’s impractical to keep them in a cell longer.

Some tips

In the event that the incubation mode of turkey eggs is observed exactly, the chicks will go out healthy. They usually begin to hatch from the thick side of the egg, punching their way around the circumference. The result of this method of hatching is often that the turkey comes out with a “cap” on its head.

After the first cracks appear on the egg, it is undesirable to turn it. The exception is only those cases when the exit starts from the bottom. With this position of the cracks, the chick may not hatch.

Determining when exactly the withdrawal will begin is not too difficult. About 6-12 hours before hatching, the chicks in the eggs begin to squeak.

What to do with young animals

Immediately after the incubation of the turkey eggs is over and the chicks come out, they should be placed in a clean, tissue-lined box. So that the kids do not freeze, you also need to put a small plastic bottle with warm water in it.

A day after hatching, turkeys should be fed and watered. If they themselves eat millet or do not want a boiled sliced ​​egg, you just need to lightly tap the bowl with your finger. The instincts will work for the chicks, and they will slowly begin to peck the proposed food.