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Turkeys have long been firmly established in many household plots. No wonder. Few people will refuse tasty dietary meat. Raising turkeys at home, the matter is not so simple, so poultry farmers have always dreamed of a breed that produces not only eggs, but also a lot of meat in a short time. Canadian breeders received such birds. The Hybrid meat cross has confidently established itself in Russian farmsteads. The Russians even came up with a funny name for the cross-converter breed - Indo-ostrich. You can see by looking at the photo of this amazing bird:
What is cross
When breeding any bird, breeders and breeders settle on a certain line. From this selection, the best specimens of turkeys are selected in all respects. The most important thing is that the qualities of adult birds must be inherited by turkey poults. Lines can be within the same or different breeds. When lines are crossed, breeds are created. The same techniques were used when breeding the Heavy Cross Hybrid Converter breed.
And the breed determines the variety of turkeys that are obtained from crossing non-pedigreed birds using selection.
Description of turkeys
Turkeys of the Hybrid Converter breed - modern hybrids, are increasingly conquering the farmsteads of Russian residents. Cross-converters are no less popular in commercial farms.
This cross is a Hybrid of Canadian selection. For crossing we used:
- Bronze broad-breasted turkeys;
- White Dutch turkeys.
Crosses stand out with their wide chests. The beak is powerful with a bright red earring. Despite their small head, they are muscular and agile. Turkeys and turkeys Hybrid crosses have white plumage. The male stands out with particular beauty. If he spreads his tail, a huge ball of fluff appears before his eyes.
Turkey breed heavy cross-country Hybrid is distinguished by its ability to conquer heights of 2 meters. They are also good runners, reaching speeds of up to 45 km/h.
Hybrid converter turkeys, with proper care and proper feeding, are capable of laying about fifty large eggs. Middle cross females are more fertile, usually producing up to 80 eggs.
By nature, the birds are calm and rarely organize internecine fights. But they don’t always get along with other pets in the poultry yard. Experts advise keeping the livestock in a separate enclosure, fenced off from the rest of the guests with a metal mesh. Moreover, Hybrid Converter turkey poults should not be placed in the same room as adults. Poultry lovers write about this in their reviews.
Breed characteristics
They have a lot of advantages:
- They can live in any region of Russia, regardless of the climate.
- Hybrid converter turkeys practically do not get sick if conditions are created for them.
- Large meat yield: adult heavy cross turkey – up to 22 kg, turkey – up to 12 kg.
Unpretentious birds in the matter of rearing have gained popularity for the excellent presentation of the finished product. There are always buyers, and poultry carcasses are willingly taken for restaurants.
Features of raising turkeys
As soon as it gets warmer (from spring to autumn), cross Hybrid turkeys are kept outside. Paddocks are specially made for them: alfalfa, clover, vetch, peas or other fast-growing grass are sown throughout the entire area. In winter, the birds are kept in closed pens, with sawdust laid on the floor, since turkeys' feet cannot stand the cold.
Feeding at different times of the year
To feed turkeys in the summer use:
- wheat and corn;
- barley and oats;
- greens and special feed.
When cooking turkey feed heavy cross-converter, they try to increase its nutritional value by adding green onions, dandelion leaves, and nettles. Birds prefer a large amount of greenery, even when they are kept on the range.
In winter, the food should include chestnuts, acorns, various vegetables, and chopped pine needles. Throughout the year, turkeys with increased early maturity and rapid gain of body weight need minerals and vitamins. Rarely, but still there have been cases when turkeys of the heavy hybrid converter cross, selected in France, gained a record weight of 30 kg.
In order for babies to grow up healthy, their food must contain chalk, egg shells, and meat and bone meal.
Meat value
When fattening, much attention is paid to turkeys, because the main percentage of meat comes from them. At the age of four months, hybrid converter turkey chicks weigh about 7 kg.
If the rules of care and rearing are followed, the Hybrid Converter heavy cross breed of turkeys produces juicy, tender meat. If we compare the composition characteristics of the finished product with other breeds, then converters have much more value. It contains:
- microelements, including the antioxidant selenium;
- B vitamins.
Bird care
Caring for turkeys is not so difficult, the main thing is to follow the rules:
- A spacious, warm room is required. In winter, it should be at least +18-20 degrees.
- The room must be ventilated so that there is no stagnation of ammonia; drafts are unacceptable.
- Keep the floor dry with sawdust, straw or peat. The bedding is changed at least once a week.
- There are no more than 2 birds in one square place.
How to avoid diseases
Although diseases are rare in Hybrid turkeys, preventive measures will not hurt:
- Adding vitamins and minerals to the feed.
- Maintaining appropriate conditions in the poultry house.
- Washing the house and dishes with disinfectant solutions, whitewashing with lime. These procedures are carried out in the summer, when the turkeys are on the pasture. After disinfection, you will have to ventilate the room for at least 4 days.
- Food is prepared immediately before feeding. The drinking bowl should be clean, as should the water in it.
- Daily inspection of crosses is mandatory.
Otherwise, the disease will spread to other pets. Be sure to contact a veterinarian.
