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There is a worldwide data bank where information about turkey breeds is recorded. Today, their number is more than 30. In our country, 13 breeds are bred, of which 7 were bred directly in Russia. The Victoria turkey is a cross obtained by Russian breeders of the North Caucasus Poultry Experimental Station. In the Russian Federation, only this institution is engaged in selection and breeding work with turkeys.
To breed Victoria cross turkeys, large males with well-developed pectoral muscles were selected. They were characterized by rapid growth. Turkeys were selected for high egg production and early maturity. The cross was created based on lines breeds white, broad-chested.
Study of the quality of meat and fat of Victoria cross turkeys
In 2014, specialists who bred Victoria turkeys conducted a study of the quality of meat and fat of the cross. For the study, 100 day-old turkey poults were taken and raised until the age of 140 days.
From the total mass, samples of white (from the pectoral muscle) and red (from the calf muscle) meat were taken from 5 turkeys and the same number of females.
The following meat parameters were laboratory studied:
- moisture contents;
- fat;
- protein;
- total nitrogen;
- muscle and connective tissue proteins;
- general toxicity.
The results of the study confirmed the high biological value of the muscle mass of the Victoria cross.
Studies of fat have shown that it contains a lot of unsaturated fatty acids, which means the product is of high quality. This is confirmed by the low melting point of fat - 31.7 degrees. It has also been proven that the fatty tissue of Victoria cross turkeys is easily digestible and well digested by humans. The product contains a lot of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which means the fat has excellent biological value.
Biotesting to identify the level of general toxicity showed the first acceptable degree (index up to 0.20), which indicates the absence of toxic properties in cross-breed meat and fat. This product is environmentally friendly.
Characteristics of the cross Victoria
The Victoria cross was bred for breeding on a non-industrial scale: on small farms or at home.
The weight of turkeys at the time of “readiness” (for females - 20 weeks, for males - 22) reaches 13 kg, turkeys - 9 kg. Representatives of the Victoria cross have a compact body, well-developed chest and leg muscles.
A description of the cross can be seen in the video:
A turkey lays 4-5 eggs per week, which is about 85 eggs during the reproductive period. In this case, 97% (that is, 82 eggs) will be fertilized - a very high figure. One egg weighs 87 grams.
The survival rate of turkey chicks up to 16 weeks of age is also quite high: it is 94% of all hatched chicks, and the cause of death of the babies was often injuries rather than diseases.
In addition to good early maturity, egg production, egg fertilization and chick survival, turkeys of this cross are highly resistant to stress. They are hardy and unpretentious both in nutrition and conditions. content. Of course, this does not mean that Victoria cross turkeys can be raised outside, fed only grain.
Adult turkeys can be kept in a room that is not heated, and feel good on walks, because they are resistant to external adverse influences and have good innate immunity, which protects turkeys from infections.
The percentage ratio of carcass parts in males and females can be seen in the photo:
The meat weight of a carcass of Victoria cross turkeys at slaughter age is 5.6 kg, of turkeys – 3.7 kg.
Reviews from breeders about Victoria cross turkeys highlight the birds' endurance, their beauty and the taste of the meat.
Conditions for keeping Victoria cross turkeys
Although turkeys of this cross are undemanding to living conditions, you need to understand that the better the care, the greater the productivity of the birds in the end.
Victoria turkeys can live in a regular poultry house, without special conditions for temperature conditions (except for turkey poults). The main thing is that it is dry, light enough and there are no drafts.
For bedding, hay or straw is most often used, which must be replaced periodically.
Walking is important for Victoria cross-country turkeys to maintain good health and prevent obesity. The walking area should be fenced with a high fence and provided with a canopy from the rain.
To obtain the maximum number of eggs, turkeys need to be provided with a cozy nest. There should be no more than 5 Victoria turkeys per place.A roof should be installed over the nest, preferably sloping, so that the birds cannot sit on it. In order for the female Victoria cross to lay or hatch eggs calmly, the nest must be installed in a place in the turkey poultry where it will be quiet and dark.
In order for turkeys to be able to consume food calmly, without fighting, they must have at least 20 cm of personal space at the feeder. For drinking - at least 4 cm. Water in drinking bowls should always be clean and available to turkeys around the clock.
It is necessary to install a box with a sand-ash mixture in the turkey poultry so that Victoria cross turkeys can clean themselves in it - this is a good prevention of parasites.
The poultry house needs to be provided with perches - the turkeys will sleep on them.
Organization of feeding turkeys Victoria
During fattening, 3.14 kg of feed is consumed per kilogram of weight gain.
Feeding Victoria cross turkey chicks should be monitored especially carefully, since they grow very quickly during the first 8 weeks after birth and need energy.
For 10 days, newborns are given food every 2 hours, reducing the amount of food over time, so that by the age of 30 days they feed 5 times a day.
Within 14 days feed the turkey poults cross Victoria only needs moistened mash. They must be prepared half an hour to an hour before feeding.
From the age of 15 days, you need to add dry food to the mash, which should be in the access zone of the turkeys at all times.
During the season when greenery grows, turkey poults, starting at the age of 2 months, should be released to graze. This also allows you to reduce the cost of feeding Victoria cross turkeys.
Adult turkeys should be given the following types of food:
- grain flour: peas, millet, barley, lentils, cakes, oats, bran, corn, wheat waste and meal.
- animal: meal from fish and meat bones.
- juicy: rutabaga, beets, turnips, carrots, etc.
Part of the grain feed can be replaced with silage or boiled potatoes.
Cake and meal (sunflower, soybean) are rich in proteins; their composition in turkey feed can be increased to 20% of the total mass.
To get vitamins from Victoria cross turkeys, it is important to add fresh greens (nettle, oat sprouts, alfalfa and others) and cabbage to the diet. Give in crushed form twice a day, preferably in a separate feeder.
To provide turkeys with the necessary minerals, protein and vitamins, you need to include in food: milk (low-fat), whey, cottage cheese, yogurt, buttermilk.
As a mineral supplement, Victoria cross turkeys should be given shells, small eggshells and chalk in an amount of 3-5% of the daily feed requirement.
In winter, the diet should include clover or alfalfa hay (or hay meal) and pine needles. For vitaminization, yeast, synthetic vitamins and fish oil should be added.
Conclusion
Victoria cross turkeys are ideal for growing in Russia, as they can tolerate low temperatures. The undoubted advantages include: rapid growth at a young age, high survival rate of chicks and high-quality meat.
