Content
White broad-breasted turkeys are the most popular turkeys to grow among farmers around the world. The breed was developed by breeders from the United States of America by crossing bronze broad-breasted turkey with white Dutch. Turkeys given to Russia breeds brought from Holland and Great Britain.
Breed Features
The external features of the bird are reflected in the name of the breed: turkeys have a convex, wide chest and white feathers.
Other characteristics:
- oval body;
- sloping wide back;
- small head;
- strong pink legs;
- developed tail and wings;
- middle neck;
- dense plumage.
Many wonderful crosses have been bred based on the lines of the White Broad-breasted Turkey breed: Victoria, Grade Maker, Universal, BIG-6.
The egg production of females is high - during the reproductive period, a turkey produces from 80 eggs. The eggs are large (about 80 g), speckled with brown.
According to reviews from breeders of the White Broad-breasted breed, the positive qualities of turkeys are considered to be very fast growth, tender meat, and high egg production. It is also noted that these birds are demanding of temperature conditions.It is said that turkeys at the age of 120 days begin to slowly gain weight, so they are released for meat at this time - that is, precocity occurs in a short time.
Conditions for keeping turkeys of the white broad-breasted breed
Newborn turkey chicks require constant monitoring and careful care. Adult turkeys are less dependent on housing conditions. You cannot keep more than 40 turkeys and 5 turkeys in one place, because the birds will start quarreling and can cause serious damage to each other.
Turkey poultry
The white broad-breasted turkey breed is heat-loving. Birds are afraid of dampness and drafts, so the turkey house should be dry and warm. To avoid drafts, it is advisable that there are no windows in the room where the turkeys are located. However, white broad-breasted turkeys need a sufficient amount of light, which they need to provide by installing additional lighting sources.
Pasture
Turkey breeds white broad-chested are susceptible to obesity - this has a bad effect on the quality and taste of meat. To avoid this problem, birds should be given the opportunity to roam outside. The walking area should be spacious. A fence should be installed around the perimeter. First of all, it will protect the birds from the wind. Secondly, it will help to keep the birds on the farm, since the white broad-breasted turkeys are very freedom-loving.
Perches
White broad-breasted turkeys, like all poultry, sleep on perches. There should be enough space on them for each bird to feel comfortable - at least 40 cm. If the places are located one above the other, there should be a distance of at least 60 cm between them.The thickness of the perch bars should be determined taking into account the number and total weight of the birds that will sit on them. Perches should be installed at a distance of 80 cm from the ground.
Nests
A condition for good egg production of white broad-breasted turkeys and hatching of chicks is a properly designed and installed nest in the right place. In order for the birds to get used to the structure, the nest should be installed several weeks before the turkeys begin to reproduce.
To do this, the nest should be located away from noisy places and entrances. Where the nest is, it should be warm, dry and little light. At the same time, it is important that you can approach it to clean and disinfect it.
The eggs should not be placed on a hard or cold surface, so bedding must be placed at the bottom of the nest. Most often, hay and straw are used as flooring. To prevent the eggs from rolling out, you can make a wreath out of straw.
The size of the nest should not be less than 60 cm in length and width. It should contain no more than 5 broad-breasted white turkeys at a time. Some turkeys sit on top of the nest, so it is advisable to make a sloping roof over the brooding area. The height at which the nest is installed must be more than 25 cm.
When choosing a nest, you should pay attention to the presence of a high side so that the egg cannot roll out and break. Also, a sufficiently high threshold prevents the bedding from spilling out, which means that the masonry is protected from the possibility of ending up on the hard bottom of the nest.
It is necessary to inspect the hatching area for protruding nails, splinters and other objects that could damage the white broad-breasted turkey or fragile eggs.
Feeders and drinkers
Properly selected feeders allow you to properly organize the process of feeding turkeys and save feed. The feeder should be located at the height of the turkeys' back.
For turkey poults and adult birds of the white broad-breasted breed, as well as for different types of feed, there should be their own feeders. For mineral fertilizing, it is better to install a sectional feeder. In order not to constantly control the availability of bulk feed, it is convenient to use bunker feeders - food is added to them automatically when it becomes scarcer.
Newborn turkeys have soft beaks. To prevent them from being damaged by the feeder, you should choose soft containers: made of silicone, rubber or fabric.
Since white broad-chested turkeys are heavy birds, they can easily overturn the container, so it is better to further strengthen the feeders.
White broad-breasted turkeys drink a lot.
The nipple drinker is considered the best, because water does not stagnate in it and each turkey receives as much liquid as it needs. Not suitable for newborn turkeys. It is better to use a vacuum drinker for them.
If you use regular drinkers, you need to make sure that the water from them does not get on the turkeys, otherwise they may catch a cold.
White broad-breasted turkeys are individualists; they do not like to share space at the feeder or drinker with each other.
Caring for turkey poults
Newborn babies require a special temperature regime - not lower than +36 degrees. They also vitally need round-the-clock light.
It is important to protect white broad-breasted turkey poults from infections:
- the litter must be kept clean and dry - it must be cleaned daily, and the entire flooring must be changed once a week.
- Drinking water should be warm: at least 25 degrees. When the turkey poults grow up - no less than the air temperature in the turkey poultry house.
- Make sure that the chick is not wet.
White broad-breasted turkey chicks have poor eyesight, so it is necessary that the feeder and drinker be in close proximity to the chicks. To make the food more noticeable to turkey poults, it is worth adding brightly colored foods to it: pieces of carrots, boiled yolk or colored cereal.
A description of two-month-old turkey poults can be seen in the video:
Caring for Turkeys
White broad-breasted turkeys may have parasites that live on feathers, skin or under it: mites, lice, bedbugs, fleas. Arthropods spread quickly from one bird to another. When infected, turkeys experience severe itching; they scratch and clean their feathers all the time. At the same time, the birds' productivity decreases and their appetite increases.
To prevent the appearance of parasites, turkeys must be carefully examined periodically. From time to time, nests, perches, bedding, as well as cracks and crevices on all surfaces should be inspected. It is also important to install a container in the turkey poultry into which you need to pour ash and sand in equal proportions. There the turkeys will clean themselves. The mixture must be added as it decreases.
Therefore, to avoid the appearance of parasites, turkeys need to be provided with nutritious food.
Feeding white broad-breasted turkeys
Turkey poults need to be fed 8 times a day, adult birds - at least three times, and during reproduction - five times.
Newborn chicks are fed a mixture of boiled eggs and crushed cereals; from one month onwards, chopped greens are added.
White broad-breasted turkeys are given mixed feed: in the morning and afternoon - wet mash, in the evening - dry. The diet should contain a large amount of greens and foods that contain many vitamins (vegetables, sprouted grains, etc.). It is especially important to fortify feed in late autumn, winter and early spring. At this time, turkeys are additionally given synthetic vitamin preparations.
Conclusion
Despite the demanding nature of the breed, it is quite possible to provide these birds with the necessary conditions. As a result, turkeys will delight you with good development and high productivity.
