Big-6 turkeys: description of the breed, features of maintenance, care and feeding at home

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Bred by British breeders, Big 6 turkeys are very popular in Europe for their excellent meat taste. This cross was a successful selection of Aviagen Turkeys - it has good endurance and is appreciated for its quick weight gain. Consider the main characteristics of the breed, as well as how to properly care for them.

Big-6 turkeys - conditions of detention

Description of the cross Big-6

Turkeys belonging to the selection British Big-6 breed are large agricultural birds with light plumage and small head sizes. The color of the feather in turkeys and turkeys is white, with the exception of only a small area on the chest that has a black color. The plumage is fluffy and very valuable for its lightness. But it should be borne in mind that the fluffiness of females is not as great as that of males.

Turkeys are fluffier than turkeys

In appearance, the following features can be noted:

• birds have dense, shiny plumage with a rather thick skin covering;
• individuals are distinguished by a flat and wide back;
• females and males have large wings on which they are good at flying, so they are advised to trim the feathers on the wings;
• Among the differences in the breed are pronounced, convex pectoral muscles.

Due to the fact that birds reach high levels of live weight, they have strong, large and sinewy legs. In contrast, their head is rather small. But their main difference is in the presence of so-called corals - folds of skin. They are red and localized around the neck and head. There is also an appendage made of skin, located on top of the beak, and reaching 15 cm during periods of an excited state of an individual.

Healthy livestock of Big-6 turkeys

Turkeys are strong birds that can defend themselves when needed. However, keeping together with other species of birds can provoke unwanted conflicts between them. Therefore, breeders are advised to keep broiler turkeys apart, preferably as a family.

Success secrets

To keep turkeys truly profitable, it is important to follow basic bird care and nutrition guidelines.

• Meals should be varied and complete.
• Regular walking in a sufficient area.
• The presence in the diet of fresh herbs enriched with vitamins.
• The food should contain shells or limestone as a source of minerals.

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Experienced farmers recommend taking daily turkey poults in early to mid-spring to get 12 kg turkeys by mid-winter. If the active growth of the bird occurs in the autumn-winter period, the owner needs to take care of harvesting brooms from birch, linden, branches of fruit trees. An excellent remedy for many diseases is finely chopped needles. You can add this ingredient from 1 month of life of turkey poults, starting with a small portion, gradually increasing the volume of needles in food.

Read also: Drinking bowls for turkeys do it yourself photo

One of the most important components of turkey nutrition is the mineral component. Shells and limestone will allow the bird to build a strong skeletal system. You can start adding mineral components to the food of birds from the age of one month.

The increase in the mass of turkeys depends not only on the regularity of food intake and the amount of food, but also on the number of feed intake. In order not to delay the intensity of growth, in the first month the birds need to be fed 6 times a day, evenly distributing all meals throughout the day. From the second month of life, turkey poults need to be fed 4 times a day. Also evenly distribute the breaks between meals.

Characteristics of the Big-6 cross

With good and stable growth rates, the live weight of turkeys can be:

• up to 12 kg for females;
• up to 25 kg for males.

As for the number of eggs, up to 100 eggs can be obtained from one laying turkey per year, each of which weighs 80 g. The first clutches are made by turkeys aged 7 to 9 months.

Up to 100 eggs can be obtained from one laying turkey in a year.

When breeding offspring, hatching of chicks takes about a month - 26-28 days. At the same time, fertilized eggs give high hatchability - up to 75-85%. The output from the slaughter of poultry is 80%. In the distribution of muscle mass throughout the broiler body, about a third of the total weight of the bird is in the chest area.

Turkeys of the Big-6 cross are distinguished by a large sternum

The daily food allowance for one turkey is from 250 to 350 grams, and the average amount of feed per 1 kg of live weight gain is 2 kg. If the diet is selected correctly, then already for 90 days of life, the weight of the turkey reaches 4-5 kg. After 150 days, this figure increases to 11-12 kg. The most suitable time for slaughtering a meat breed of turkeys is 3-4 months of age. After this moment, the growth of individuals stops, and the meat ages and becomes not so high-quality and tasty.

A lot of attention is paid to the health of turkey poults

The hereditary diseases currently inherent in turkey broilers can bring large losses to breeders, as a result of which the Big-6 cross genome is being studied and deciphered. If positive results are obtained, the birds will be more resistant to various diseases. Genome information and adjustments will also help to relieve this breed of problems with the development of bones, which are negatively affected by the rapid growth of mass.

Weight table

Consider weight gain starting at 7 days.

The average daily weight gain for a turkey is 152 g, for a turkey - 98 g. Slaughter is carried out at 4 months of life (about 100 days). The meat yield from one carcass is 80%, of which 30% is brisket. It does not contain fat, therefore it is suitable for dietary meals.

This breed has a good egg production - a laying hen produces up to 115 eggs per year. The first clutch begins at the age of 7 months. The eggs are large, cream-colored with dark specks, weight - 80-85 g.

Down of poultry is of great value. It is lightweight and flexible, so it is used for stuffing blankets, pillows and clothes.

Growing Big-6 turkeys at home

Breeding broiler turkeys on large poultry farms

If broiler turkeys are bred on an industrial scale, then farmers use large, windowless poultry houses for this. They are equipped in accordance with the basic requirements for breed breeding, maintain constant lighting, are provided with a comfortable bedding and guarantee a stable microclimate. Often birds can be kept in cages.

Aviary with opening windows

However, the popularity of the breed is also stimulated by the breeding of meat turkeys in home gardens and small farms.The turkey house practically does not differ in technical requirements from the houses for other breeds of turkey and poultry species. But if breeding is supposed to be on a home farm, in the summertime the birds should mainly be outdoors on the walk, and only be driven into the barn at night. In any case, a major poultry house will be required.

Breeding turkeys of the Big-6 cross is possible at home

For the construction of the walls of the poultry house, it is advisable to use brick, or a material of no less strength, and fill the floors with concrete. If there are windows, you will need to install grilles on them so that the birds do not fly away. Plus, to be able to open these windows. Separately, it is necessary to take care of the insulation of the building to reduce winter costs for maintaining heat in the poultry house. This is especially important due to the fact that for maximum growth and productivity, the Big-6 breed needs a dry and warm microclimate.

To reduce costs in the winter, it is necessary to insulate the poultry house

In the south wall of the house, you will need to make a hole 15 cm high from the floor. It is better to use straw, sawdust or hay as bedding, as long as it is always dry. Plus, if you plan to keep a large livestock, it is better to divide the house into several sections in advance.

Tips for the Beginner Farmer

Permissible population density of turkeys in the territory of the poultry house

Broiler turkeys need a lot of space

Conditions of detention

Birds are easy to care for

This bird is not whimsical in keeping conditions, so even a novice breeder can raise it.

Poultry house arrangement

To fully realize the potential of the breed, you need to properly equip the poultry house and create the necessary conditions for growth and development in it.

Before moving in, the room must undergo a good disinfestation - all walls, floors, perches are treated with a hot solution of soda ash - 200 g per bucket of water.

Doors and windows are closed for three hours. And then they dry, ventilate and warm up. One adult will need at least 1 m² of space. They are kept in families: for 6 females - 1 turkey.

The optimum temperature in a turkey house is 16-20 ° С, for young animals up to 2 months old - 30 ° С.

It is important that the room is always dry and light. Therefore, the floor is covered with a thick layer of straw, after 6 months the litter is changed.

In winter, LED or fluorescent lamps are hung from the ceiling or walls - they should shine for 12-14 hours.

In a turkey house, perches are installed at a height of 1 m from the floor. One bird requires 40 cm of space. For laying hens, they arrange places for incubating eggs at the rate of one nest for 5-6 turkeys. Drinking bowls, feeders and a container with ash or sand for bathing are also placed in the room.

Walking place

In the summer, the birds spend most of the time on the walk. For the arrangement, you need to find a green space, protect it around the edges and on top with a metal mesh. This will prevent the flight of the livestock.

Drinking bowls, feeders, a basin with ash or sand for taking dry baths are installed on the walking area.

Feeding and keeping turkeys and turkeys

Feeding turkeys is carried out three times a day, and you should not overfeed broilers, because they are genetically prone to obesity. The morning and afternoon rations consist of a wet mixed feed containing cereals. Evening feeding should be done with dry grain feed.

Sample diet for turkeys

The grain content in turkey feed is very important as it provides the individuals with fat and protein. Therefore, the grain should be at least 65% of the total feed volume. Oilcake and meal should not be more than 1-2%, since already in this amount they provide the amino acids necessary for birds.

Grain mix for turkeys

To strengthen bones, supply the body with phosphorus and calcium, it is necessary to add flour from fish, meat, meat with bones, blood to the feed. Hay and straw are good sources of fiber, and it is best to feed turkeys with grass in summer.

Meat and bone meal

Self-preparation of compound feed

Not all breeders, especially small farmers, have the opportunity to purchase compound feed suitable for breeding a meat breed of turkeys. This can be either a lack of funds for industrial feed, or a lack of suppliers in a particular locality. Then you should make the compound feed yourself.

What can be included in compound feed:

• crushed wheat grain - 1/3 of the total feed volume;
• soybeans and corn grains - 1/5 of the volume is allocated to each component;
• premix of vitamins and minerals - 0.15 of the volume of feed;
• ground egg shells or shell rock;
• fish meal - 1/10 of the feed volume.

Crushed grain - the basis of a balanced feed

It is better not to add chalk to mixed feed, because if the quantities are incorrectly set, it can form into a lump and damage the digestive system of the bird. It is not recommended to substitute barley for wheat. Despite the fact that the growth of the live weight of individuals will go faster, the Big-6 turkeys may become obese.

Feeding turkey poults, types of feed

Newborn chicks have unhardened beaks. They need fresh water and chopped boiled eggs with herbs, you can add cottage cheese, fish oil, fine-grained wheat bran to their food. Up to ten days of age, chicks are fed 8-10 times a day, then the interval between feedings and portions is gradually increased. So, monthly birds are fed 6 times a day, two-month old - 4.

Vitamin and mineral feed

Vitamins are essential for strengthening the immune system. With a deficiency of fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins, young poultry grows slowly. Their sources are yeast, fresh herbs.

Vitamin and mineral feed affects the following parameters:

• Strengthening the immune system;
• Provide the daily requirement for nutritional supplements;
• Promote harmonious plumage;
• Normalize growth and development.

For poults to gain weight, the following conditions are important:

• food should be balanced in energy and protein;
• soft bedding to prevent injury to the beaks;
• the presence of warm fresh water;
• the first meal no later than 12 hours after the appearance;
• frequency of feeding - every 3 hours;
• the mandatory addition of fresh chopped greens to the diet.

Mandatory addition to the diet of fresh chopped greens

Turkey poult weight by day table

* After 4.5 months, the weight of turkeys usually does not change.

Growing Big-6 turkey poults at home

Feeding rules

First, consider the rules for feeding turkey poults. As such, the process is not very difficult for the breeder. The first 3 days of a chick's life will need to be fed with boiled cereals from grain and boiled eggs. A constant supply of water and open access to it are mandatory. Chicks will need to be fed the freshest food at 3 hour intervals. You can add grated carrots, finely chopped greens there, but all food should be served in small portions so that the poults do not overeat. But you shouldn't leave them hungry either. After 3 days, their bodies will be able to perceive the mash made with milk. You can also add herb.

Feeding from the first days of life

The composition of the feed should be given special attention in the first 2 months of turkeys' life.In addition to the fact that the diet should be complete and include certain vitamins and minerals, babies will need to be fed with dairy products. For example, cottage cheese or yogurt.

Feeding turkeys

Greens are also an essential part of healthy baby food. You can add dandelion, clover, alfalfa, plantain, etc. to it. Green onions are a prophylactic agent for the good functioning of the digestive system. But do not give it too much, although Big 6 turkeys have a weakness for it.

Green onions are a preventive measure

The older the bird, the longer the feeding periods become. By 2 months, turkey poults can get by with 4 feedings. They can install special feeders, homemade or specialized. If the feeder is made independently, it cannot be made of metal, since the chick can damage its beak.

Homemade turkey feeder

At the end of the first week of life, poults are supplemented with vitamin D, which is then given again after 50 days. To carry out prevention against diseases, in the period from 6 to 11 days of life, it will be necessary to water the chicks with antibiotics.

Keeping turkey poults

The chicks should spend the first days of life in brooders, where the temperature is maintained at 30 degrees. Further, the plumage will gradually increase in turkeys, so the temperature can be gradually reduced.

This is due to the high metabolic rate in the rapidly growing turkey. As a result, his body generates a lot of heat, which cannot escape when the ambient temperature is high. In such cases, there is insufficient ventilation through the beak, and the bird cannot cool with sweat.

A dry microclimate is important for raising healthy livestock

Optimum temperature values ​​for keeping turkeys

Grown chicks can be transferred to open-air cages and kept on a par with adults on the floor. In order for their skeletons to be strengthened and not damaged so much by the growth of body weight, they need enough space for walking. This is the only way to reduce the number of chicks that will be crippled by their own weight.

Walking is an important part of the health of Big 6 turkeys

The turkey house should be provided with straw bedding or a layer of sawdust. The bedding for birds is changed on average 2 times a week, but it should be thick enough so that the turkeys do not dig it to the floor, even if they start digging holes in it. And too thick litter increases the cost of keeping broiler turkeys. The required length of daylight hours, if there is such a need, is maintained using fluorescent lamps.

Feeders and drinkers - what features need to be considered

Turkey poults, like adults, always need water. It should be kept clean at all times. Therefore, changing the water in the drinker should be carried out twice a day, after feeding the turkeys, when they rinse their beaks in the water. Water spills should not be allowed, since the Big-6 breed needs a dry microclimate, dampness is contraindicated for them. And for a little turkey is destructive. A wet chick almost always gets sick and dies, or it stops growing and gaining weight normally.

Adult turkeys should have ample space next to the feeders

What tips can you use when choosing, creating and installing feeders:

• It is advisable to put several feeders and drinkers so that all birds have free access to them, so that accuracy is not provoked. Otherwise, the birds may be malnourished. As a result, poor growth and weight gain.
• Drinking bowls are recommended to choose wide and not too deep. They must be installed so that they do not overturn and the birds do not get wet.
• For young and only hatched chicks, it is necessary to feed on plywood, then accustom them to normal feeders.Or purchase feeders and drinkers of special designs for turkey poults.

Recall that the farmer will need to steadily monitor the condition of the feeders and drinkers. They must be constantly cleansed of previous meals, rinsed thoroughly with water.

What are the largest turkeys

It is believed that the largest turkey breeds are broad-breasted American turkeys - broad-breasted white and broad-breasted bronze breeds. Among the males, turkeys weighing more than seventeen kilograms are not uncommon! Females weigh much less - no more than twelve.

This is a tribute to American culture. This bird is native to the American continent, and it is of the greatest economic importance there. For most Americans, traditional Christmas, Thanksgiving, and many other holidays are impossible without a turkey on the table. And the larger the bird, the more solemn the holiday. That is why such large birds have been bred over the years of selection.

Tikhoretsk breed of turkeys

Breeds for northern conditions weigh a little less - Canadian broad-breasted, Caucasian bronze breed, Tikhoretskaya and Moscow breed. All these breeds tolerate the cold well, and the Canadian breed is suitable for breeding in Siberia and the Far East. The breeds are distinguished by their fighting nature, and they must be well looked after so that they do not injure each other and other animals.

The smallest turkey is of the Uzbek breed. Birds of local selection are miniature - males weigh only seven kilograms, and females - five. However, these birds are distinguished by good egg production, gain weight quickly enough and are rather unpretentious in food, but they are very thermophilic.

The record holders in terms of weight are crosses - crossed individuals from breeds of various origins. Crosses BYuT-8, Big-6 were introduced in England. There, these birds showed weight records - males weigh more than twenty kilograms!

For keeping in our conditions, these crosses are quite troublesome - they require numerous vaccinations, supplements with vitamins and antibiotics.

The conditions for keeping turkeys are quite similar to those for chickens. The same temperature regime, conditions for walking will suit them. However, it must be remembered that in a turkey house, one bird should have about one square meter of area, and at least two meters in height. In the open-air cage for walking, an area of ​​about three square meters should be provided for each bird.

Turkeys in the aviary

Males and females should be kept separately. The turkey is a rather pugnacious bird that can cripple not only its own kind, but also others - chickens, geese, cats and dogs. They have a long neck, a very powerful beak and a heavy head, and with one blow a male turkey can peck the head of another bird or animal.

Males in the constant presence of females will conflict. Since turkeys are kept mainly for meat, the fattening herd is formed from males, and the productive one - from females in the company of one strong male.

For the same purpose, they are kept separately from other birds - chickens, geese and ducks, in a separate enclosure.

Features of Big-6 meat turkeys

Since we have already talked about the main indicators of the productivity of this cross, we will pay attention to the advantages and disadvantages of this breed.

You can get a lot of meat from a Big 6 turkey

Pros of the meat breed of turkeys:

What are the disadvantages of breeding the farmer will have to put up with:

How much does an adult turkey weigh

Birds belonging to different breeds have significant differences in weight. The breeds are conventionally divided into 3 groups: large, medium and small. Males of the smallest breeds reach a mass of 6.5–7 cm, females - 4 kg. These include, for example, Verginskaya, Black Tikhoretskaya.

Experienced poultry farmers advise starting a business with breeding medium breeds with an average weight of 8-17 kg for males, 5-6.5 kg for turkeys. Examples of medium breeds are Moscow White, Bronze, North Caucasian White, North Caucasian Silver.

It takes experience to raise large birds; they need good conditions, a certain feeding regime and diet. Moreover, they are more expensive. Below is an overview of the most popular breeds that are easy for a beginner to raise in a household.

White broad-breasted

The broad-breasted white breed is bred in the USA. Depending on body weight, it is divided into 3 types: heavy, medium and light. Turkeys belonging to the heavy group reach a weight of 26 kg, turkeys - 10 kg. For males from the middle group, weights of 17 kg are characteristic, for females - 7 kg. Light males weigh 9 kg, females 7 kg.

White Moscow

These turkeys are a product of Russian breeders. They are distinguished by the early onset of slaughter age, good acclimatization, and high productivity. The average weight of white Moscow males is 13 kg, females are 7 kg.

Bronze standard

Another breed of American selection. It is characterized by its large size, good adaptability to various living conditions, high productivity and good health. Females of the Bronze Standard breed reach a mass of 6 kg, turkeys - 16 kg.

Uzbek fawn

As the name implies, the breed was bred in Uzbekistan. Local breed lines were selected for selection, so the turkeys are adapted to living conditions in Central Asia. These birds grow slowly. The weight of turkeys usually does not exceed 12 kg, turkeys - 7 kg.

Black Tikhoretskaya

The breed was selected in Russia. It involved local turkeys and representatives of the bronze and broad-breasted breeds. For black Tikhoretsk turkeys, an average body weight of 6 kg is characteristic, for turkeys - 12 kg.

What diseases accompany the Big-6 cross

Newcastle disease, characteristic mainly of young chicks. It is lethal for them, therefore, to prevent a large fall of chicks, preliminary vaccination will be required. The main signs: the appearance of mucus in the goiter, the limbs are paralyzed, the stool is liquid, gray-green-yellow in color. The disease is incurable.

Newcastle disease is fatal

Aspergillotoxicosis. Appears with improper nutrition, or poor quality litter becomes a source. Among the main symptoms are weakness, diarrhea, rapid breathing, lack of mobility, loss of appetite, stunting. Death occurs suddenly, usually accompanied by seizures. After the first signs of the disease, the litter and food must be changed. As much dairy products as possible are added to the diet.

At the first symptoms of the disease, you should contact your veterinarian.

Respiratory mycoplasmosis. Differs in minimal mortality, it is treated with the help of special means that can be obtained from veterinarians. The disease is accompanied by coughing, wheezing, puffy eyes in birds. The growth of the individual also slows down.

Mycoplasmosis is accompanied by puffy eyes in birds

Histomoniasis, expressed by liver damage and diseases of the cecum in the chick.This is usually due to poor disinfection of the house interior. The disease is accompanied by frothy diarrhea with yellow-green discharge. In this case, deworming of birds and treatment with special preparations prescribed by a veterinarian are required.

Diseases

This breed of turkey is susceptible to the same diseases as other poultry.

1. Mycoplasmosis. The pathogen is a bacterium that causes swollen eyes, a hoarse cough, and slows growth. They are treated with antibacterial drugs.
2. Histomoniasis. It mainly affects young animals - there is a process of atrophy of the liver and cecum. The main reason is poor disinfection of the turkey poultry. The first signs are frothy greenish-yellow diarrhea in chicks. Anthelmintic drugs are used in the treatment.
3. Tuberculosis. It affects the respiratory tract and is extremely life-threatening for birds. In sick individuals, immunity decreases sharply, growth stops, rapid weight loss and frequent diarrhea are noted. Livestock is infected through dirty equipment, eggs, bedding, water. It is not subject to treatment - all infected turkeys are allowed to slaughter and disposed of.
4. Aspergillotoxicosis. The bird becomes inactive, appetite disappears, diarrhea appears. This disease develops when kept in a dirty poultry house and in violation of the diet. To get rid of it, dairy products are added to the feed, and the old bedding is also replaced with a new one.
5. Newcastle disease. The viral disease often affects young animals. Provokes paralysis, accompanied by profuse goiter and diarrhea. Preventive vaccination at an early age is required. If it is not done in a timely manner, the disease cannot be cured.
6. Sometimes baldness is noted, which can be caused by a deficiency of vitamin B3, poor disinfection of the premises and the presence of parasites - lice, chewing lice. To prevent this, a vitamin complex is introduced into the diet in the form of a premix. The contaminated bedding is removed in time and a basin with ash or sand is installed for bathing.

Prophylaxis

• To maintain bird health and achieve high productivity, you should follow these simple tips from experienced owners:
• use starter feed at the beginning of feeding the chicks, which will provide them with good immunity;
• in order to avoid stagnant water, and as a result, infection with infections, it is better to use nipple drinkers;
• change the litter in the poultry house every two weeks for young animals, for adults - once every 6 months;
• vaccinate chicks on time;
• avoid obesity of birds at an early age, give lean feed for fattening, which will also help to avoid many diseases.

Features of the acquisition of thoroughbred turkeys

Buying any thoroughbred bird comes with a risk. Especially if the farmer is trying to buy livestock from a reseller. The main thing here is to try to contact a trusted supplier. But we will try to point out a few features by which you can increase the likelihood of a successful purchase.

When choosing turkey poults, you need to be especially careful, because they practically do not differ from any other breed with white plumage. When dealing with a reseller, it is better not to ask the question directly that this particular breed is needed.

A distinctive feature of a turkey is an outgrowth on the beak

In small turkey poults, the only distinguishing feature compared to chicks is the small growth located on the beak. In chickens, the beak is completely smooth.

Should you buy hatching eggs?

This question is asked by many novice farmers who do not know which will be a more profitable purchase - eggs for an incubator or chickens. Despite the fact that the number of pros and cons in both cases is approximately the same, it would be better to focus on eggs. It is much more difficult to get chickens, and there is a possibility of acquiring a pig in a poke. It is also more convenient, since eggs of Big-6 turkeys have high hatchability.Therefore, the investment will pay off well.

Hatching eggs of the cross Big-6

Someone prefers to first raise a bird, and then wait for an egg from it, but it may not always be fertilized in such cases. In this, turkeys are comparable to chickens.

If eggs were purchased for growing in an incubator, the time they are placed in the apparatus depends on the purpose for which they were purchased. It takes about 150 days for an individual to gain the required weight.

Daily turkey poults

Most often, eggs are purchased so that the turkeys grow up for the New Year holidays or another time. Here, the age at which it is planned to slaughter the bird is calculated, and from this it is already to determine the time of laying the hatching egg in the incubator. With the help of an ovoscope, the number of empty eggs that are removed is determined. In the incubator, eggs should spend 26-28 days.

Representatives

The main feature of turkeys is the rapid growth of muscle mass. The exact weight of an adult depends on the sex, breed and conditions of the bird. The most cost-effective are broiler turkeys. Heavy breeds are the most popular (wide-breasted broiler).

Canadian broiler wide-breasted breed

Canadian broiler wide-breasted breed

Representatives are gaining weight quickly. At one and a half months, the chicks weigh 5 kg, at three months they are ready for slaughter. From 9 months females lay eggs. Egg production per year - up to 200 pieces.

White broad-breasted

The weight of an adult turkey (male) reaches 25 kg, of a female - 11 kg. Have an average growth rate. Picky about food. Egg production - 100 eggs per year.

Big 6

This is an English breed, bred in 2007. The maximum weight is 30 kg. At 3 months, it reaches slaughter age.

Reviews of farmers about Big-6 turkeys

As mentioned above, most breeders face the challenge of finding the right feed for their broiler beef turkeys. And this is due to the lack of information about the correct content of the breed. As a result, many breeders fed broiler turkeys on the same diet as, for example, chickens. This negatively affected the health of the livestock.

Some owners of this breed have noticed that the male Big-6 turkeys cannot fertilize the female on their own. Therefore, this has to be done manually.

Much attention should be paid to stable long walks, which will help strengthen the bird's skeleton.

As for the keeping of birds, many respond quite positively. They say the most important thing is to keep the house clean. Some people use infrared heated floors to keep the mat from getting wet.

Big 6 turkeys will be a good choice for a neat farmer

If you decide to raise turkeys of such a unique breed as the Big 6, then in most cases breeding them will not cause a lot of trouble. Especially if you follow the basic simple requirements, which include ensuring comfortable conditions in the poultry house, the availability of fresh herbs and dairy products. No less attention should be paid to stable long walks, which will help strengthen the bird's skeleton. Observing all these rules, you can achieve good growth and weight gain in individuals, which will bring a good income to the farmer in the future when selling fresh meat from young turkeys.

General indicators of growth by months

It is important for the poultry farmer to know how the weight gain normally occurs as the birds mature. It should be noted that birds do not collect it evenly throughout their lives. The greatest peaks of growth occur in the first 3-4 months of life, in the 5th month a gradual slowdown begins. By 7-8 months, weight gain practically stops.

Information on the monthly growth of males and females of medium breeds can be obtained from the table:

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Indicators for broiler breeds will be slightly different:

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Each breed has its own growth rates, and when growing turkey poults, you should check them monthly. Thus, it is possible to correct the diet in a timely manner and improve the conditions of detention in order to achieve the figures declared by the breeder.

Did you know? Such a characteristic sound made by turkeys, like kuldykan, is inherent only in males. With its help, they declare claims to their territory and attract the attention of females. But females do not know how to kuldykat.

Why turkeys don't gain weight

The main reasons for underweight can be:

To find out if the bird is healthy, you need to contact the appropriate specialist. Often birds refuse to eat, feeling unwell.

VIDEO: TIPS FOR FEEDING TURKEYS Birds can develop poorly due to inappropriate conditions:

• too cramped dark poultry house;
• humidity, cold, the presence of drafts;
• lack of walking;
• lack of fresh water;
• dirt in the place of residence.

As for nutrition, chicks should never be given the following foods:

• fiber;
• poor quality animal feed;
• stale food (the mash is prepared 15 minutes before meals);
• whole grain.

Why the turkey isn't gaining weight

Turkey poults grow poorly what to do? Compared to adult birds, turkeys are sensitive to environmental conditions. The cleanliness of the room should be monitored, and sources of drafts should be eliminated.

Diarrhea is a particularly dangerous symptom for chicks. It can provoke developmental abnormalities and even death. Chicks should not be accustomed to adult food, this can cause digestive upset. The feed must be fresh, clean and free of mold. Prepare moist mash just before feeding, as sour food can cause diarrhea.

Also, the reasons why turkey poults grow poorly can be diseases: mycoplasmosis, coccidosis, conjunctevitis, sinusitis, goiter inflammation, etc.

Important! For the prevention of diseases, you need to regularly change the litter, use disinfectant solutions (creolin, potassium permanganate solution, formalin), disinfect equipment and care products.

How to feed daily turkey poults

On the first day after birth, there must be warm filtered water in the cage. The first 10 days turkey poults are fed 8-9 times a day. Then they switch to six meals a day. Chicks have poor eyesight, so good lighting is important. Newborn chicks have soft beaks, it is better to put the food on a rag or cardboard.

After hatching, the chicks are fed the following foods:

1. Hard boiled and chopped egg. In the early days, you can add a little cereal (oatmeal or millet);
2. Fresh cottage cheese;
3. Carrot;
4. Fresh curdled milk;
5. From day 4, chalk or bone meal must be added to the feed.
6. Starting from 2 days, fresh herbs (dandelion, plantain, onion, etc.) can be added to the mash.
7. From 10 days, sunflower meal and a little salt are added to the diet.