Turkeys in private farms are bred less often than chickens and ducks. However, they are currently quite a popular bird. Of course, many summer residents are concerned about the question of how the turkey was domesticated, as well as its current varieties. In fact, there are many breeds of this bird.
Turkey origin
The ancestors of these modern poultry were wild individuals living in Africa, Mexico and North America. Most of them are very large turkeys with long legs, short wings and a tail. They were called so for the same reason as the American Indians. Even in our time, wild individuals are considered commercial birds and are caught for the sake of delicious meat. Initially, these birds were brought to Spain (in 1519) from America. Therefore, very often they are also called "Spanish chickens."
Ancient turkeys
Thus, the American and African origin of turkey is not in doubt. But when did these birds first be tamed? Recently, scientists from the United States and Canada conducted a DNA study of the bones of turkeys, found at the archaeological site from 2 thousand BC. e. and ending with the 18th century. As a result, it was revealed that for the first time they were domesticated as early as 800-100. BC e. The bones of these birds are found in ancient settlements in Mexico and Nicaragua. Scientists also came to the conclusion that many of their breeds were bred in Central and South America independently of each other.
Wild Turkey: Description
The progenitors of this poultry lay about 20 eggs each, and do it right on the ground. An interesting feature of such a bird as a wild turkey (photo below) is the fact that males sometimes adjoin a herd of domesticated individuals. In this case, a very viable and hardy offspring is obtained.
So, the origin of the turkey, we have found out. Next, we consider what features characterize the most popular varieties of these poultry.
White broad-chested
This turkey variety was bred in the USA in the 60s. White Dutch and bronze broad-chested breeds were used as initial rocks. These turkeys were brought to our country in 1970 from the River Rest English farm. Based on the white broad-chested, three crosses were obtained - medium, light and heavy. The latter at the age of 13 weeks can weigh about 5.2 kg. The average body weight reaches 4.1 kg, and the lung weight up to 3.5 kg. Adult cross-country turkeys can weigh 20-25 kg, turkeys - 11 kg. The average 15-17 kg and 6-7 kg, respectively, the lung 9 kg and 5.5 kg. From one turkey you can get 80-90 pieces per year.
Cross Big 6
This is one of the most popular breeds at the moment. Its main advantages are early maturity, high weight and very good reproducibility. Big 6 (turkey) - a bird bred on the farms of England. Males of this cross can gain weight up to 22-25 kg, and females up to 11 kg. Both that and others differ in white coloring with a black bunch on a breast. A distinctive feature of this breed is that thirty percent of the weight of the carcass of birds falls on the breast. Turkeys stop growing at the age of 90-100 days. By this time they are already completely ready for slaughter.
Wagon breed
These birds are well muscled and have white plumage. Adult turkeys weigh 6.5 kg and females 4.76 kg. One layer can sit and feed up to 61 turkeys. The station wagon has not gained popularity among farmers because it is rapidly gaining weight - it makes it slower than many other crosses - but because it does not require artificial insemination for hatching. Cross is a two-line, obtained from the crossing of males U2 with females U1. It was bred by the North Caucasian ZOSP.
Bronze broad-chested
Turkey chickens of this breed are popular, first of all, due to their great weight. In males, it can reach 15-18 kg, in females 10-11 kg. There are cases when the weight of birds of this breed reached 30 kg. However, to grow such a turkey, of course, not everyone will succeed. To achieve such a result, you just need to spend a huge amount of feed.
Another quality that makes such a bird as a bronze broad-breasted turkey (photo below), popular among farmers, is its high egg production - up to 120 pcs. in year. Of these, more than 80% of the eggs are fertilized. In this case, the yield of cubs when hatched is 70-75%. Turkeys of this breed are distinguished by simply wonderful maternal qualities. Sometimes even chicken, goose or duck eggs are laid under them.
What is the origin of the turkey of this breed remarkable for its qualities? Brought bronze broad-chested in America. The parent breeds are black English and American turkeys.
Moscow white
This is a Russian turkey - a bird bred by the state farm "Birch" of the MO by crossing Dutch, Moscow bronze and local white turkeys. Its main advantages are high egg production, tasty meat and a neat presentation of the carcass. The mass of males can reach 12.5 kg, females - 7 kg. So far, this breed is not very widespread in our country and is used mainly as a gene pool for creating high-performance crosses.
North Caucasian breed
There are only three directions of this breed - silver, bronze and white. The first one is the most significant. Silvery North Caucasian males can increase body weight up to 15 kg, turkeys - up to 7 kg. White birds reach a weight of 12 and 7 kg, respectively, and bronze birds reach 14 and 8 kg.
Tikhoretskaya black
This variety was bred in the Krasnodar Territory through a long selection of local black turkeys. It was first described in 1958. The plumage of turkeys is black, and the physique is strong. These are very active birds, in addition to grazing, adapted to cell cultivation.
Virgin breed
These turkeys were bred in Holland in the 18th century. Even then, they were appreciated for tasty meat and high egg production. Improving the quality of the breed occurred by selection by weight and broad chest. Crossings were also carried out with other varieties, in particular with a bronze broad-chested. At the moment, the Virgin breed is distinguished by pure white plumage and high weight.
Well, now you know what the origin of the turkey bird is. In the wild, it lives in America and Africa. Having domesticated a turkey, people brought forth just a huge number of its breeds, which are distinguished by their great weight and high fecundity. Of course, for a personal farm or farm, it is better to choose those birds that are well adapted for survival in this particular region.