Breeding turkeys is considered a very profitable business today. Broiler breeds of birds can grow to truly impressive sizes. Four main areas of business related to turkeys can be distinguished: selling eggs, feathers, down and tender meat. Many entrepreneurs prefer to get involved in breeding precisely white broad-breasted turkeys. This is due to a certain combination of positive factors and characteristics of such a breed.
general description
Breeding of broad-breasted turkeys is considered a merit of American breeders. The breed is subdivided into three species or cross-country depending on the weight of the adult bird. The lightest representatives have a mass of not more than 9 kg for a male and 7 kg for a female. The average cross differs in that turkeys weigh from 9 to 17 kg. However, the weight of females in this category does not change. Heavy cross means that males weigh from 17 to 26 kg. This time, the maximum weight of the females also increases and amounts to no more than 10 kg. Depending on gender, birds have completely different purposes. Males are considered a dietary delicacy, and females are kept exclusively for laying eggs.
The maximum weight of a white broad-breasted turkey can in some cases reach 30 kg. Chicks belonging to the middle cross, already at the age of three months have a mass of 4 kg, and birds of the same age from heavy cross - from 5 kg. It is worth noting that only light representatives of the breed are sufficiently adapted to be kept in cells. For this reason, it is light cross that they prefer to breed on industrial poultry farms.
Appearance
The plumage of this breed has a white color and is particularly splendid. Of course, the name of individuals already clearly hints at this characteristic. However, in the description of the white broad-breasted turkey breed, there is a mention of one element, which is considered a special distinguishing feature. A black mark must be placed in the chest area. Breeders call this element a medallion because of its symbolic location.
The bird has a somewhat elongated body of oval shape. The whitish chest protrudes a little forward, and the very shape of this part of the body is slightly sloping. The paws of this breed are medium in size and have dark pink skin. The body of most representatives looks quite massive against the background of the lower extremities. As with all other breeds of this species, white broad-breasted turkeys have characteristic skin folds on the neck. Separately, it is worth mentioning the beak. It has a red skin outgrowth.
Productivity and other features
High rates of egg production and meat yield are the main reasons why these birds are so popular in the household industry. White broad-breasted cross-country turkey reaches an average weight of about 25 kilograms. With meat productivity of at least 70 percent, the output is quite a lot of product ready for sale. A proper diet and proper care during the growth of birds helps to ensure such productivity indicators. One turkey can lay about 90 eggs per year, each of which weighs from 80 to 87 grams.
When keeping, it is worth giving preference to grazing on a green pasture. Turkeys of this breed are very fond of open spaces. This is especially true for representatives of medium and heavy crosses, which are usually not contained in individual cells. Active feeding twice a day will achieve maximum growth rates, which is especially important for males that go for meat. The description of the breed of white broad-breasted turkeys also says that they are often used to breed new subspecies of turkey broilers. Females can begin to race at the age of 9-10 months, and the duration of this period is from 6 to 8 months.
Conditions of detention and care
Experts note that these birds are clearly not capricious. Recommended holding areas are ordinary houses. If you keep the turkeys in the cells, then they are very likely to develop leg diseases. In this case, birds must have free space for walking. If we talk about the general rules of breeding, keeping and care at home, turkeys require the owner of the plot a certain area of enclosures. The existing standards stipulate that the size of the area for walking should not be less than 20 square meters. m. In any case, when arranging enclosures, one should at least strive for such an indicator.
House sizes are calculated based on the number of individuals. Every three adult turkeys have at least one square meter of free space. An 80-centimeter perch can only fit two turkeys. Young growth needs to be kept away from adult birds. It is recommended in advance to attend to the installation of artificial lighting in rooms for keeping turkeys. The longer the daylight hours of adults, the better they are able to rush. Good lighting organization allows you to increase egg production several times.
Preventive measures and sanitation
Without the adoption of preventive measures and the timely implementation of measures that impede the development of diseases in birds, it is impossible to properly breed any number of individuals. Experienced farmers are advised to treat all premises with antiseptic agents at least once every few years. Poultry pest control is a prerequisite subject to the basic rules for the care, breeding and maintenance of turkeys. At home, the owner needs to pay special attention to the humidity level in the rooms, since high rates can seriously harm the health of birds.
In order to prevent the occurrence of germs and infections in turkeys, it is necessary to regularly ventilate the room, even in winter. The materials that make up the houses should be safe. For example, poorly sanded boards can damage the legs of turkeys, which will ultimately affect the rate of weight gain. Among other conditions of sanitation, the need for a weekly change of litter should be noted, but this procedure can be performed more often. Feeding troughs and drinking bowls should always be clean, and containers for wet agitators should be washed after each feeding.
Features and composition of feed
Proper nutrition is considered the key to speedy weight gain and good health in birds. To breed turkeys, you should study the composition of feed that you will need to use. The basis of the diet are the following components:
- barley;
- sunflower meal;
- corn;
- wheat.
However, the above composition is only basic for feeding turkeys. Qualitative growth and a high level of individual health can be ensured by the addition of meat and bone and fish meal, chalk and crushed limestone. For fattening, it is recommended to add peas, hydrolysis yeast, alfalfa flour and dry back.
Purchase or manufacture of animal feed
There is an opinion that there is no need to independently make components for feeding birds. Finished compounds manufactured in a factory way are not inferior in quality to homemade ones. In addition, the cost of feed in the store actually does not differ from the necessary costs for own-hand production. In specialized departments you can buy the so-called starter feed for young animals.
When white broad-breasted turkeys grow up, their transfer to any home mixes is possible. Of course, you should not trust the cheapest feed in stores. You should pay attention to products in the middle and highest price category. All individuals, among other things, can be added to the diet of dry and sprouted grain.
Diet
The main rule is that birds should be accustomed to a specific routine, that is, feed them at the same time. In the winter, it is enough to carry out this procedure three times a day, and in the summer - already four times. Increase the diet of white broad-breasted turkeys allowed during breeding. At this time, it is best to feed them five times daily.
The following are a number of general recommendations regarding bird diet:
- in the morning, turkeys are given wet mixes, and in the second, dry food;
- all individuals should have enough food, and a sufficient number of feeders should be placed in the house;
- drinkers should always be kept clean and filled with water;
- additionally place feeders with mineral additives like chalk and shell rock.
Breeding Features
There are two ways to start such an activity. The first of them involves the purchase of small chicks, and the second will need a turkey, planted on eggs. Not always the bird agrees to such a procedure, so often the farmer has to buy an incubator. It is best to purchase an automatic machine with the function of turning eggs without interfering with the human process.
Characteristics of white broad-breasted turkeys suggest that breeding turkeys is not much different from breeding any other similar birds. However, only eggs of appropriate quality should be placed in the incubator. All specimens with visible defects and irregular shapes are rejected. Next, follow the instructions that came with the device.
Common diseases
Caring for young and adult individuals is sometimes complicated by the appearance of signs of the disease, which can spread to the entire population. More than others, turkeys aged one to three months are susceptible to various ailments. For this reason, young animals during vaccination are vaccinated and receive broad-spectrum antibiotics. Reviews of white broad-breasted turkeys among farmers show that the most common diseases of these birds are as follows:
- histomonosis;
- pullorosis;
- erysipelas;
- brucellosis;
- sinusitis;
- typhoid (paratyphoid);
- tuberculosis;
- Newcastle disease;
- ornithosis.
Tips and conclusions
First of all, you need to carefully consider the choice of chicks or hatching eggs, as well as concern yourself with the issues of premises for keeping and feed for food. After that, you can already go for the acquisition of turkey poults. At this point, the farmer is faced with the question of choosing a place to purchase. For example, the Stavropol white broad-breasted turkey, which has been bred at the breeding genetic center operating in the city of Stavropol for several years, has proven itself well.