Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

The turkey is a large bird from the pheasant family, the heaviest nesting bird. Its ancestor is a wild turkey that lives in the forests of North America. These birds were brought to Europe in the XNUMXth century, after which they became widespread.

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

What does a bird look like?

Today there are wild and domestic species of these birds. Domesticated are of great economic importance for agriculture.

In the wild, there are two types of turkeys: ocellated and common. They are distributed in North America from Mexico to southern Canada. They lead a sedentary lifestyle, grouping in small flocks of 20-30 individuals. They have a commercial value, hunting them is very popular.

The turkey is raised and bred for meat. Cost-effective meat production is based on the natural ability of the bird to grow and gain muscle mass very quickly, as well as due to its unpretentiousness.

The production of edible turkey eggs is not popular in Russia. For the agricultural industry, only the hatching eggs necessary for breeding chicks matter.

Chicks are born strong and independent. Almost from the first hours of life, they can hunt insects themselves. A chicken on the day of birth weighs approximately 55 g. The development of its organs, muscles and bones is uneven. Some organs grow faster to meet the vital needs of a young organism. The skull, heart, legs are already relatively large and developed in a one-day-old chick. The wingspan rapidly increases as a result of the development of the wing bones.

Under natural conditions, turkeys at the age of 2 weeks are already sleeping on the branches of a tree under the spread wings of their mother. Some of the individuals can reach 18 kg of weight. Turkeys have significant sexual dimorphism in relation to growth. The weight of the females is only 3/5 of the weight of the male.

Turkey is a caring mother for her offspring. She responsibly hatches, and then raises and protects the chickens. The female will never lead the chicks to the reservoir, and in case of rain she will carefully hide them, since dampness is undesirable for these birds.

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

Main breed

Today, turkey breeds are divided into light, medium and heavy.

At the age of three months, in the light class, individuals have a mass of about 3 kg, on average – 4 kg, heavy birds have a weight of more than 5 kg.

Among adult birds:

  • light cross: male – 8 kg, female – 5 kg;
  • average cross: male – 17 kg, female – 7 kg;
  • heavy cross: male – up to 25 kg, female – up to 11 kg.

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

Today, more than a dozen breeds of turkeys are known, but in agriculture, three of them are mainly used for breeding and meat production: white broad-breasted, beltsville and bronze broad-breasted.

The white broad-chested breed is characterized by good adaptation to changing conditions and good health. Turkeys at the age of 16 weeks can weigh up to 7 kg. Females lay about 75 eggs in 24 weeks.

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

The Beltswil breed was bred in the USA, as the production of small carcasses is in great demand there. Their plumage is completely white, the skin is cream. Females weigh from 4,5 to 6 kg, and males from 9 to 11 kg. The female lays about 100 eggs per year. At 12 weeks, they go to slaughter, because later they begin to deposit fat. At this age, the chicks weigh more than 3 to 4 kg. The breed is characterized by low feed intake.

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

The bronze broad-breasted turkey is also native to the United States. The breed has been improved in terms of slaughter efficiency, chest muscle size, growth rate and reduced feed intake. This breed is not used in intensive production because it slowly reaches slaughter age – turkeys at only 20 weeks of age, turkeys at 24. The most favorable solution for this breed is open pasture grazing.

Intermediate hybrids play the most important role in the production of broiler chickens. Their broiler meat has improved palatability, which is why it is in great demand in the market.

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

Productivity

Despite the fact that the turkey is much larger than the chicken, its maintenance and fattening are similar in complexity to breeding chickens, but more economically profitable, since turkey meat is much more expensive than chicken. In addition, turkeys grow much faster, so you can produce meat for sale up to 4 times a year.

Turkeys usually start laying eggs in the spring. But some breeders have noted that birds do not always follow this rule and may lay much earlier. The female can lay up to 100 eggs per year (2 to 3 per week). If you do not take eggs from the female, she will lay the required number and begin to incubate offspring.

Turkey eggs are usually creamy white with brown flecks and are more pointed than chicken eggs. They are edible, moreover, turkey eggs are tastier and more nutritious than chicken eggs.

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

Conditions of detention and care

Requirements for the premises and arrangement

The agricultural cultivation of turkey can be divided into two periods, which are equally important for making a profit from production. The first period is the cultivation of chickens, the second is the correct fattening of broilers.

Turkeys are a bird species that is very sensitive to poor care and poor quality feed. Therefore, it is important to care for turkeys according to generally accepted rules.

  • From birth to a month old, chicks are kept in an incubator, brooders or cell batteries are used. Later, they can be kept on the floor or in open-air cages.
  • Wooden shavings, sunflower husks, straw are laid on the floor.
  • The optimum room temperature is 32-35°C. As the chicks grow, the temperature gradually decreases.
  • The feeder and drinker are placed on the line of the backs of the birds, raising them as the turkeys grow. This technique reduces feed spillage and water spillage.

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

A progressive option is to keep chicks from one day old in a cage battery. With this type of cultivation, the work of farm workers is facilitated, the quality of the microclimate in the poultry house is improved, and feed consumption is reduced.

Cell batteries are metal frame cells. The technology is very effective, since it is possible to mechanize the processes of feeding, watering, and removing litter.

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

Dimensions and room conditions for adult turkeys:

  • 1 bird per 1-1,5 m²;
  • the room should be warm and dry;
  • surfaces are smooth so that they can be easily cleaned;
  • windows not less than 1/10 of the floor area, they must open to ventilate the room;
  • humidity – 60-70%;
  • illumination should be at least 4 W per m2.

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

Turkeys are sensitive to conditions of detention: pollution, humidity and temperature. The best bedding for young turkeys is wood chips or dry leaves. Leaves should not be too small because birds can eat them. This can lead to clogging of the digestive tract and death of birds. Rye straw also has a high absorbency. The bedding should not be too damp and should be changed frequently.

These birds have very sensitive joints and fingers, and moisture can promote the development of microorganisms in wounds and blisters. The litter should perform an insulating function, mainly from the cold.

Turkeys need optimal ambient temperature, it is important to use additional sources of heat.

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

Walking

Turkeys have a predisposition to obesity, so in order to prevent it, they need time for a walk, during which the birds also receive natural food in the form of grass, bugs, worms or seeds. It is best to walk on dry ground, where bushes and green grass grow. In case of heat, turkeys should have a place in the shade. Enclosures must be equipped with feeders (where oats or barley are poured) and drinking bowls with fresh water.

In winter, it is also necessary to walk on the ground on which straw is covered. To attract birds to walk, food is scattered on the walking area.

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

Feeding

The nutrition of turkeys depends on the breeding system, physiological state and age. There are three types of feeding: intensive, semi-intensive and extensive.

The first critical period in growing turkeys is the first week of their life. A frequently observed phenomenon in chicks is the lack of appetite. Chickens may start pecking out their feathers. Therefore, it is better to feed young animals more often, but in small portions.

Young turkeys in the first phase of growth need a larger supply of high-energy components. Seniors, in turn, do not require as much protein, vitamins and minerals. The best production results are achieved when using feeds with a high nutritional value. The most economical option is to use properly prepared mixtures.

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

The specificity of feeding turkeys also affects. They feed in such a way that they scatter food outside the feeder, so it is necessary to use special designs designed for this type of bird. Granular mixtures minimize this problem. Granules can be used from the fourth week of life. The correct structure of the food also stimulates the stomach wall and determines a greater secretion of enzymes necessary for proper digestion.

During the breeding season, turkeys readily eat bitter plants such as yarrow or mustard, as well as insects and their larvae. Chitinous armor of insects stimulates the secretion of gastric juice and digestive enzymes, and also improves appetite.

You should take care of a balanced diet. It is necessary to add fiber, garlic and chicory to the feed, as well as acidify it. This stimulates the development of normal bacterial flora and at the same time protects animals from pathogenic factors.

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

Under natural conditions, turkeys are happy to feast on insects. This has a positive effect on the development of their gastrointestinal tract. In closed breeding, insects can be replaced with yeast, the cell wall of which also consists of chitin. Insects are good sources of protein and supplement the bird’s diet with B vitamins.

Vitamin deficiency, in turn, can contribute to the development of disorders of the nervous system, diarrhea or changes in skin color. The content of amino acids in the diet is also extremely important. Turkeys are not able to synthesize them themselves, and it is necessary for the production of hormones. The best source of this substance is oats. Starting from the 4th week of life, it is recommended to use whole or crushed grains of wheat or corn.

Another difference between turkeys is that at the age of about 7-10 weeks they have a decrease in immunity. Birds become more sensitive to fluctuations in temperature, high humidity, drafts or too high concentrations of gases in the building. There is a risk of infectious diseases that can lead to a fall. During this period, it is worth adding plants rich in essential oils to the feed: onion, garlic, yarrow, ginger, cinnamon. These components favorably affect the microbial flora of the digestive tract.

The most intensive increase in body weight of a turkey occurs at the age of 17 to 20 weeks. By this time they can take up to 750 g of food per day. It should be remembered that any changes in the diet, both its composition and physical properties, must be made gradually. The turkey’s gastrointestinal tract needs time to adapt to the new food.

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

Semi-intensive type of feeding is when pastures are used in combination with concentrated fodder. When feeding young turkeys, it is recommended to use finely chopped straw from grass, alfalfa and clover.

Extensive or open type, is characterized by the use of mainly pastures with a small proportion of feed additives. It is the least popular type of turkey feeding. Recently, its popularity has been growing on agritourism farms and among those who specialize in the production of organic food.

Chicks are released to pasture when they already have good plumage. It should be remembered that in this case there is a risk of insufficient intake of protein in their body. During growth, this can lead to slow weight gain and deterioration in adult turkey muscle mass.

Feeding cereals produced on the farm further reduces the cost of cultivation.

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

Most companies that sell broilers for breeding provide detailed bird nutrition recommendations to help achieve the desired results. Feeding costs often exceed 70% of the farm costs, so it is necessary to optimize the amount of feed in order not to increase costs and correctly assess the needs of turkeys.

In the farm, complex feeds with a certain composition are used. Throughout the production cycle, the feed is changed every three weeks, as the nutritional requirements for protein, energy and amino acids in birds change rapidly. Turkeys and turkeys have different requirements for feed, quantity and composition, so they must be fed separately.

Turkeys receive a feed mixture in the form of granules or small crumbs during the entire breeding period. Broiler feed manufacturers indicate in the tables on the packaging the daily amount of feed required, depending on their age.

Birds should have free access to drinkers and feeders, the height of which corresponds to the size of the birds.

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

Breeding

When deciding whether to breed broiler turkeys, the selection of a breeding hybrid and a specific breeding goal is most important. The breeder must determine what is more important: more profit but a longer waiting period, or a shorter production cycle and less profit.

The greatest profit is achieved by breeding the heaviest turkeys. The disadvantage of this production is fewer turkeys in a given area and a longer growing time, hence high feed costs. Turkeys grow more slowly and require more food than turkeys, but as a result, the body weight of the male is 2 times that of the females. They also need more space per unit area, but the production run can reduce building heating costs because males can be reared at lower temperatures than females.

Breeding decisions should take into account the time of incubation, sex, type and breed of bird. Factors affecting rearing quality include mainly housing conditions, bedding quality (replace fresh bedding periodically), microclimate, lighting, feeding program.

It should be remembered that turkeys are most sensitive to adverse environmental conditions and are not very resistant to disease.

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

How to tell a turkey from a turkey?

Determining the sex of a turkey gets easier with practice. There are several characteristics by which males and females can be identified. Some require a closer look at the bird than others.

On distance

Male turkeys are larger than females. If you look at a flock of turkeys, the male will look noticeably larger than any female.

In adult turkeys, a beard of feathers lies on the chest. Turkeys don’t have beards. However, note that 10 to 20% of females may also have a beard, so this method of sex determination is not always accurate. The beard should not be confused with the fleshy growths on the top of the turkey’s head. Both sexes have these formations, although they are usually larger in the adult male than in the turkey.

Turkeys have small feathers that extend over their heads, and most turkeys have completely featherless heads. Also, a male turkey’s head can change color depending on his current level of arousal, especially during mating season. The skin of a turkey’s head can change color from red to blue to white. Turkeys have blue-gray skin, which can be seen through the small feathers on their heads.

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

Turkeys have brighter feathers. Females look duller, duller. Males may have feathers with iridescent red, green, copper, bronze, or gold sheen. Males use these brightly colored feathers to attract females during the breeding season. The brighter males have the most success.

Females have brown or gray feathers that lack transfusion. The task of attracting a partner falls on the male turkey, so bright feathers are not needed for females. In addition, dull colors help females blend in with their surroundings, making them less conspicuous to sit and guard their nests.

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

Male turkeys often raise their tails in a fan shape. On the other hand, a female turkey will keep her tail down and not puff it up.

Tail blowing is an act of dominance. Turkeys usually perform this action when trying to attract a mate or to scare away a rival or enemy.

Males have spurs or small spikes on their legs that should be visible from a distance. The idea has smooth legs, without spurs. They are needed for protection and domination. Male turkeys will use them to attack predators and competitors during mating season.

Male turkeys make a loud “swallowing” sound. Turkeys, on the other hand, softly click or squeal.

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

From close range.

  • The underfeathers on the chest of an adult male are black-tipped. Turkeys have breast feathers tipped with white, brown or bronze. When checking the feathers, you need to look only at the two lower parts of the chest. Note that this is only true when working with adult turkeys. In young turkeys, this method is less accurate.
  • Male turkeys have longer and larger legs than females. In most turkeys, the leg length is approximately 15 cm, in turkeys – no more than 11 cm.

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

In order to determine the age of a turkey, you need:

  • Measure your beard. The beard of an adult turkey is longer than that of a young one. As a rule, young turkeys have a beard measuring 15 cm or shorter. At the age of two years, most turkeys have a beard of 23 or 25 cm. Turkeys with a beard of more than 25 cm are usually older than three years, but most beards do not exceed 28 cm.
  • Look at the wing feathers. More precisely, at their ends. The white stripe that adorns the tip of each feather should extend to the very tip of the feather if the male is an adult. And in young males, the tips of the feathers are not colored. To determine the exact age, you need to spread the wing until it is in the fully expanded position, and check the extreme feather. The color and shape of other wing feathers can change at different rates, so the outermost wing feathers give the most accurate results.
  • Check tail feathers. You need to fan out the tail or wait until he does it himself. The central tail feathers of a young male will be longer than the rest, while in an adult male all feathers are the same. Both adults and young turkeys will have tail stripes. The color of the stripe varies by subspecies, and usually does not reflect the difference in age. It must be remembered that adult tail feathers are usually 30 to 38 cm long, while juvenile tail feathers are usually shorter. The exact length of the tail feathers depends on the age and height of the bird.
  • Check out the spurs. Both juvenile and adult turkeys have spurs on their legs, but a young male will have them more like stumps as they are still developing. Young males have spurs about 1 cm long. At the age of two, adult males have spurs from 1,2 to 2,2 cm. At the age of three, they increase to 2,5 cm. Males over 4 years old may have spurs larger than 2,5, XNUMX cm

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

How many grow before slaughter?

When growing turkeys for meat, it is better to use hybrid breeds of birds, which are obtained by crossing different types of turkeys. According to common practice, Russian breeders keep chicks (meat breeds) in cages for up to 2 months. After that, they are grown on the floor. Turkey poults receive fortified feed 8 times a day.

Gradually, as the birds grow, the number of meals is reduced to 4. Females are slaughtered at 16 weeks of age. Males – at 22 weeks.

Turkey: description, types, breeding and maintenance

See the following video for keeping and breeding turkeys.

Anna Evans

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