Farms: Thursday | Turkey breeding

The turkeys are poultry that we can breed in our houses in an easy and simple way, and in the same way we take advantage of their goodness for human food (meat and egg). Their weight varies according to sex, males have an approximate weight of 8 kg and can reach one meter in height, but when their feathers are extended they can reach two meters. On the other hand, the females have an estimated weight between 4 and 5 kg. The commercialization of turkey meat has increased remarkably in recent years due to its nutritional quality. Turkey meat provides calories and its fat content is very low, so it is recommended for restricted diets. The average life of turkeys is 10 to 15 years. Most of them have a white plumage, however there is a variety with feathers brown, black, white, tan, cream, metallic green, blue, etc.

Fuente

The nutritional value of turkey meat is much higher than other species.

• It is a protein food.
• It is notable for its high content of B vitamins.
• It is rich in minerals such as potassium, iron and magnesium.
• It has low levels of fat and cholesterol.
• It has high caloric content.

Turkeys only reproduce in the spring, that is, once a year. The male seduces the female by singing. When the female is attentive, the feathers of the turkey are inflated, which achieves a better appearance. If the female accepts, it is fertilized immediately. After a few days, the female builds a nest where she places the eggs (8 to 15 eggs) for approximately 28 days.

The sizes of the turkeys vary according to the sex, the male turkeys weigh much more than the females, therefore, the mating between them is difficult. In this case, artificial insemination can be performed. To extract the semen from the male turkey, the turkey should have a 4 to 5 hour fast so as not to affect the process and avoid contaminating the sample. The dorsocaudal area and abdomen are massaged very carefully so that the turkey ejaculates. Once the semen is obtained, the female is massaged to achieve prolapsus of the oviduct and with a micropipette or syringe the semen is deposited in the bottom of the vagina, in this way it is possible to inseminate the female.

Newborn turkeys are very delicate, you should avoid high temperatures and cut the beak to avoid damage between them. In the first days, the turkeys sleep under the wings of the mother. The turkeys are omnivores, that is, they feed on seeds, nuts, tender leaves, insects, larvae, worms. The type of food depends on the amount of turkey, sex and age that will be sacrificed.

• In the first days, the turkeys consume granulated foods with 27 to 30% of proteins.
• After a month and a half consume granulated foods balanced with 26% protein. Then they should consume foods that help them gain weight (up to 3 months of life) with 22% protein.
• After 3 months of life, the food must contain 19% protein and can be slaughtered.

At the time when turkeys are born, anticoccidiostatic antiparasitic foods should be administered, which help to combat coccidiosis. There are foods that may contain coccidiostats, which are toxic and can cause death. The treatments to fight infectious or contagious diseases in turkeys are very high, so it is recommended to separate the sick turkey from the lot, sacrifice it and burn it to avoid infecting the other turkeys.

Fuente

The main countries producing turkey meat are the United States and China, followed by France, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada and Brazil.