White wide-breasted turkeys: breed description, characteristics and breeding

The turkey is a breed of bird that is very profitable to keep on the farm. They are widespread all over the world, appreciated for their meat, which has valuable properties. The white broad-breasted turkey was born recently, and spread around the world very quickly. Turkeys appeared in the United States in the 60s. Breeders crossed a bronze broad-breasted turkey with a white Dutch turkey. Within a year, the new breed spread throughout Russia. Feeding and caring for these birds will be discussed in the article.

Egg production

Broad-chested turkeys begin to lay at 7-9 months of age. This period lasts about six months, the female can lay up to 120 eggs. An earlier time of laying eggs threatens to deviate in the future.

The breed is distinguished by high fertility, because during the period the varieties can give from 80 eggs weighing 80 g. In appearance, the eggs are beige with a brown speck. The shell is very dense and difficult to break or crush. According to statistics, 75% of the offspring are hatched, which indicates the viability of the chicks.

The cost of keeping poultry pays off as early as 20 weeks, when the individuals are just actively gaining weight. It is beneficial that one female is able to keep track of a huge number of babies - up to 80 pieces.

About distinctive features

External features can be judged by the name. Birds have a wide sternum and snow-white color.

Other characteristics include the following:

• the body is oval;
• the dorsal region is sloping;
• the head is small;
• limbs are distinguished by strength;
• the tail and wings are well developed;
• feathers are dense.

Thanks to the wide-breasted white, a number of new sneakers have appeared, among which one can name the Victoria, the big 6 station wagons.

From one turkey, you can get more than 80 eggs per reproduction cycle. The weight of one egg is 80 grams, shell with brown splashes.

Among the positive qualities, breeders note the early maturity of young animals, tender meat and high egg production rates. At the same time, white birds are very demanding on the temperatures in which they are kept. From day 120, turkeys cease to grow rapidly, it is this time that is considered the most profitable for slaughter.

White broad-breasted turkey

Description of the breed

The birds are distinguished by snow-white dense plumage with a glossy sheen. A characteristic feature is a black medallion-shaped patch on the chest.

Features:

• well-formed plumage in the tail area;
• muscular chest;
• oval body with vertical setting;
• fleshy growths on the neck and head;
• bare upper body.

The mature male looks much stronger and larger than the female. Turkeys are distinguished by a powerful chest. The tail feathers are much larger than those of a turkey. In the upper part of the beak there is a dark red appendage, which significantly increases in size during the arousal phase.

Female turkey

There are 3 subtypes within the breed.

Table 1. Subtypes of the breed.

Pros and cons

Wide-chested turkeys have gained their popularity due to many advantages over other breeds of their kind. The main advantages of these birds include:

• intensive growth and rapid rates of weight gain;
• high quality characteristics of products;
• sufficient egg production of turkeys;
• high fertility and survival of the offspring of broad-breasted individuals;
• the possibility of using the breed to obtain new hybrids.

Advice! The main disadvantage of breeding white birds is considered their exactingness to care, feeding and maintenance in general.

The productivity of the breed, as well as its biological requirements, influence the choice when starting breeding for domestic animals. Wide-chested turkeys have earned their popularity due to the many positive characteristics that are appreciated in the poultry industry.

Feeding turkeys

For Broad-breasted White turkey poults to gain weight well and be healthy, they need to be well fed. The basis of the diet is formed by compound feed, which can be bought or made at home. For the preparation of compound feeds, corn, wheat, sunflower meal and barley are used. These are the main components that should not be limited. To prevent the livestock from being susceptible to various diseases, it is necessary to add meat and bone and fish meal, crushed shell rock and chalk to the feed. When fattening broad-breasted white turkeys for meat, we add peas, alfalfa flour, dry reverse and hydrolytic yeast to the feed.

Compound feed is the basis of nutrition

All components required for compound feed are available for sale. But, if you calculate the cost of homemade food, then it is not much different from the factory one. Therefore, the question of whether it is worth interfering with the compound feed independently, everyone decides for himself. As for the opinion of experts, they recommend buying starter feeds intended for young animals in stores. Adult turkeys can also be fed with homemade mixtures. When buying compound feed, pay attention to its price and read customer reviews. Cheap compound feed cannot be good, so opt for products with a medium and high price policy.

In addition to compound feeds for the white broad-breasted breed of turkeys, grain (both dry and sprouted) should be given. When preparing wet mash, we monitor their consistency. The porridge should not stick together in a lump. Such a mishmash is difficult for a turkey to digest. Very often she clogs the goiter of birds, which leads to health problems.

Winter and summer diet

In the diet of birds, green food should be present. Therefore, in early spring, it is advisable to sow an open-air cage for walking turkeys with herbs useful for birds. In winter, however, there is a problem with green fodder. We make up for their deficiency with beets and carrots. Chop or grate vegetables before feeding. Also, the winter diet includes steamed herbs, which need to be prepared during the warm season.

Diet

Feeding of birds is carried out at the same time. In winter, it is enough to give food 3 times a day. In summer, when the birds begin to move much more, we feed them 4 times a day. And during the breeding season, it is advisable to feed the livestock 5 times a day.

In the first half of the day, it is advisable to give the birds wet mash. In the afternoon, give preference to dry food. Make sure all turkeys have enough food. Also make sure there are enough feeders in the house.

In addition to food, white broad-breasted turkeys need water. Drinkers should be full throughout the day. In addition to drinking bowls and feeders, we put containers with mineral additives (chalk, shell rock, fine gravel) in the poultry house.

The daily feed rate for turkeys is 250 g. This does not include green feed, which should average 350-400 g per adult.

Breeding white broad-breasted turkeys

White broad-breasted turkeys have established themselves as excellent hens. One female can sit on 20 eggs. She incubates chicken and duck eggs without a murmur. The offspring hatch after 27–32 days. The feathered mother takes care of the chicks until they become independent.

The disadvantage of brooders is that they are clumsy and can accidentally crush an egg or injure a cub. It is safer to hatch chicks in an incubator.

Incubation rules

The best eggs are selected for incubation without any flaws. Selection is carried out by examining the external and internal state (using an ovoscope) of the egg.

Eggs that do not meet the requirements are discarded.

Suitable specimens should have the following characteristics:

• the shell is smooth and even, without roughness, growths and cracks;
• the shape is correct, elongated;
• medium size;
• color beige or light brown with dark brown spots;
• one yolk, located in the center, slightly mobile when turning.

Egg storage rules before incubation:

• term - up to 10 days;
• temperature - 12 ° С;
• humidity - 80%;
• dry place;
• eggs are stored with the pointed end down and turned over after 4 days.

Incubation step by step:

1. The specimens selected and saved for the incubator should be heated to 20 ° C before laying. This prevents condensation on the shell, which can interfere with the normal development of embryos.
2. The incubator and heated eggs are disinfected by dipping them into a warm solution of potassium permanganate (up to 40 ° C).
3. The eggs are placed vertically in the cells of the automatic incubator. If there is no turning mechanism, then they are laid horizontally. For easy turning, the sides of the eggs can be marked with a marker.
4. During the first 14 days, the incubator maintains a temperature of 38 ° C and a humidity of 75%. Eggs should be turned 10-12 times a day. At the end of the first week, they need to be illuminated again with an ovoscope and empty and damaged specimens removed.
5. From 15 to 25 days, the temperature drops to 37.5 ° C, and the humidity drops to 50%. The number of overturns is 12.
6. Biting starts at about 25 or 26 days. The overturning stops, the temperature drops to 37 ° C, and the humidity drops to 70%.
7. Chicks hatch during the 27th and 28th days.

Features of maintenance and care

Newborn chicks are moved to a brooder for three weeks, a special house with heating, in which a temperature of 36 ° C and lighting should be maintained around the clock. Humidity should not be lower than 70%. After ten days, it can be lowered to 60%. The temperature and duration of illumination gradually decrease.

Three week old babies can be housed in cages in a warm barn. They are settled in 5 individuals per 1 sq. m. For 1.5-month-old turkey poults, the usual lighting regime is set. When they are up to 4 months old, they can be transferred to adult housing specially equipped for them.

Housing requirements

Large broad-breasted turkeys are very demanding on living conditions. In poor conditions, they will be very sick. It is important for the birds that the room is warm, dry and with enough space.

Requirements for a turkey house:

1. Sizes: one bird must have at least 1 sq. m of space so that it can move freely, and the floor must be raised 25 cm from the ground.
2. Temperature: in summer - not higher than +25 ° С, and in winter - not lower than +5 ° С.
3. Humidity: The room must be sufficiently dry and free of drafts. You can get rid of dampness with a hood or ventilation windows.
4. Lighting: natural through the windows. It is desirable that they face south or southwest. In winter, daylight hours are increased with the help of electric lamps up to 12-14 hours.

Poultry house arrangement

For the comfortable keeping of turkeys, the poultry house must be equipped with everything necessary:

1. The perches are built from strong beams that can withstand heavy birds. They are fixed at a height of 80 cm from the floor and 60 cm from each other. The place on the uneven bars is calculated as follows: 40 cm for each individual.
2. Feeders and drinkers can be any containers and devices that are placed on the floor, on stands or suspended.

   

   It is important that the sides of the dishes are not lower than the chest level of the turkeys, so that garbage, droppings and water do not get into it. When feeding and drinking, each head should have 20 cm of the size of the feeder, and drinkers - 4 cm.

3. Nests: boxes (60x60 cm), covered with straw and with an opening on the side for entry, are placed in a poorly lit corner of the house.
4. Litter on the floor made of a thick layer of hay, straw or sawdust.

Organization of walking

Daily walking in the pasture is a prerequisite for keeping White wide-breasted turkeys. The lack of such an opportunity will lead to obesity, which will adversely affect the health of birds and the taste of their meat.

The place for walking should be:

• very spacious so that there is enough room for walking for everyone;
• sown with delicious grass - clover or alfalfa;
• equipped with drinking bowls;
• fenced off with a high fence, which will not let the feathery heavyweights fly away and protect them from the wind.

Feeding

Feeding of these birds is of particular importance for normal development, rapid weight gain and good health. It is not only what products can be given to them and which not, but also the diet and methods of preparing the feed play a role. It is necessary to feed adult birds and babies separately and from different dishes. Their diet is also different.

Adults

Read more

Feeding turkeys at home Adult white turkeys should be fed 3 times a day, and during the mating season, when energy is actively spent, 5 times.

Their menu changes depending on the time of day and year:

• Wet cereal mixes are served for breakfast and lunch;
• dry cereals and sprouted grains are served for dinner;
• in summer, fresh grass is added to wet dishes;
• in winter, add vegetables (carrots, beets and cabbage) and steamed dried grass.

Products that are included in the turkey diet:

• compound feed;
• cereals - corn, barley and wheat;
• juicy food - fresh herbs, grated vegetables (fresh and boiled);
• peas;
• wheat bran;
• sunflower meal;
• mineral additives - yeast, meat and bone meal, fish meal, chalk, shells, salt;
• special vitamin supplements.

Feed the birds in moderation and make sure that they do not overeat, which is fraught with obesity.
Important! The more succulent feed a turkey consumes, the juicier and more tender its meat will be.

Features of maintenance and care

Due to its unpretentiousness and the possibility of breeding in harsh climatic conditions, this variety is popular among poultry breeders.

The optimal maintenance period is 100 days. This gap is considered the most cost-effective and most effective in terms of care and feeding.

Basic rules of content:

1. When completing a herd of 5 turkeys, there should be no more than 40 turkeys.
2. The house temperature should be kept at a minimum of + 17 ° C. Temperature drops are not desirable. For growing shoots, this indicator is increased to + 30 ° C.
3. In winter, you need to install controlled ventilation and artificial lighting in the room.
4. To ensure hygroscopicity, straw, hay or sawdust is preferred for bedding. It is important to change it regularly and keep it clean.
5. White broad-breasted, unlike heavy crosses, need grazing at the rate of 1 m² for one individual. If birds are deprived of the ability to move, they get fat.

Since representatives of this breed fly well, the walking area must be protected with a high fence.

Poultry house arrangement

In accordance with the needs, the turkey house is equipped with the following equipment:

1. Perches. Placed at a height of 80 cm from the floor surface. The optimal width for one individual is 40 cm. Multi-tiered structures are fixed at a distance of 60 cm vertically, attaching to the ladder. Considering that birds weigh a lot, the material must be durable.
2. Nests. Since this is a meat and egg variety, you need to provide nests for layers.This can be done a few weeks before puberty for the young. There is no need to teach them from an early age. 1 nest is enough for 5 birds. The minimum size is 60 * 60 cm, the maximum height of the arrangement is 25 cm, the optimal shape is an open structure with sides at the entrance.
3. Drinking bowls and feeders. Food utensils are placed along the line of the turkey's back. This significantly reduces splashing water and feed wastage. The area of ​​the feeders is 20 cm, the drinkers are 4 cm. Otherwise, the birds will push.

The area of ​​the feeders is 20 cm, the drinkers are 4 cm.Otherwise, the birds will push

What you need to know about leaving

A special place in the breeding of poultry is occupied by the care of birds, feeding and resettlement of the livestock. In a clean, dry room, with a properly balanced diet, as well as the availability of walking space, turkeys will grow well.

It is worth knowing: an excessive number of turkeys in one room, even if all other conditions of care are met, negatively affects the health of the individuals. Birds grow worse, often get sick and look depressed.

If we talk about the average planting density per 1 square meter, then it is as follows:

• young animals up to 5 days of life - 15 individuals;

• turkeys at the age of 30-60 days - 10 individuals;

• turkeys up to 120 days old - 5 individuals;

• adult livestock - 1-2 (it all depends on breed characteristics and weight).

It is also worth considering the humidity indicator, temperature regime and the presence of a ventilation system:

• humidity indicator should be 65-70%;

• in summer, the temperature regime in the poultry house should not be more than + 18-20 ° С;

• in winter, the room should not freeze through, and the thermometer should drop below -5 ° С.

Failure to comply with the temperature indicator, the presence of drafts leads to the fact that the turkeys begin to get sick, their productivity decreases, and the young bird stops gaining weight.

An obligatory step in keeping a bird is cleaning and cleaning the bedding in the room where the birds are kept. Litter materials must be dry. If the turkeys are kept without a walk, then a deep litter is used, which is changed twice a year - in spring and autumn. At the same time, the entire house is completely cleaned and disinfected.

Providing proper care leads to the fact that turkeys grow well and gain weight, in many ways ahead of geese, ducks and chickens, and therefore they can be elevated to the rank of leaders among the varieties of poultry.

Stavropol bird

Stavropol breeders have kept the traditions of the American breed. Local white cross turkeys were used to breed domestic turkeys. The main attention was paid to the immunity and unpretentiousness of the bird. Individuals slightly increased weight in each group and increased egg production:

• light line; male weight up to 13 kg;
• middle line; body weight 17-20 kg;
• individuals of a heavy breed weigh from 21-30 kg;
• egg production in laying hens - 100 pcs. in year.

The bird tolerates hot summers well. For mass breeding in factories, individuals of average weight are used more often. Convenience lies in the fact that young animals can be grown both in cages and on litter. Turkey poults grow well with pasture fattening.

Individuals reach their maximum weight as early as 18 months. Then they gain weight slowly. Males reach productivity at 21 weeks. By this time, a carcass weighing up to 14 kg can be obtained from a poultry of an average weight category. At the same time, there is a high meat yield, more than 50%.

More on the topic:

Why aren't the turkeys rushing?

White wide-breasted turkeys of the Stavropol line are kept in an open-air cage under a canopy. The paddock is equipped with blank walls on the windy side. The canopy protects the bird from rainfall. Feeders and drinkers are installed in the aviary, a deep bed of hay is arranged, and perches are not made.

The Stavropol region has mild and short winters. The average temperature is -4 C. Individuals tolerate it normally.It is colder in mountainous areas such as Kislovodsk. Farmers set up insulated hangars for turkeys.

Quantitative data

At the age of thirteen weeks, the weight of the heavy type bird is 5.2 kilograms, the medium type is 4.1 kilograms, and the light type is 3.8 kilograms. With proper care, you can get an adult heavy type turkey weighing 25 kilograms. At the same age, the turkey will weigh ten kilograms. The average type has mass indicators - fifteen and seven kilograms, and the light type has nine and five and a half kilograms.

In the ninth month of life, the turkey begins the laying period, which usually lasts for six months. During this time, a farmer can get from one bird to one hundred and twenty eggs, the average weight of each is eighty grams. Eggshell color is brownish with small specks. They are great for incubation hatching or incubation. Fertility of eggs reaches ninety percent, but the hatching of young animals is possible by seventy-five percent. This means that only a quarter of the eggs laid will not be able to produce a turkey.

The slaughter condition of a heavy line turkey is achieved at the twentieth week. This means that at this point, the cost of keeping the poultry is fully paid off. Further cultivation requires more feed, respectively, the financial side of the issue will increase. It is necessary to think over this moment during the herd breeding.

Breeding features

What you need to know:

1. Females begin laying at 9 months. This process takes at least 24, sometimes up to 32 weeks.
2. Turkeys of the medium and light subtype show the best fertilization rates - from 80 to 90%. The hatching of chicks is about 75%.
3. It is desirable to artificially inseminate the heavy subtype. Over-sized males find this role difficult. Considering that turkeys are 2 times smaller than turkeys, it is not easy for them either. To prevent injury, a veterinarian must be present during this process.
4. Females are good brood hens. The chicks raised by the mother, in comparison with the artificially bred ones, grow healthier and stronger. But hatching in an incubator has high survival rates.
5. With a well-designed diet, the safety of young animals is 100%.

The period of puberty and physical maturation occurs at the age of 9 months

Up to 3 weeks, babies are kept in a brooder, maintaining round-the-clock lighting and a temperature of + 33 ° C. The temperature regime is gradually reduced, and the illumination is brought to natural. Upon reaching 35 days, the chicks are kept at +17.

Despite the weakness, chicks are quite independent from the first days of life.

Step-by-step instructions for artificial incubation

Before starting this important event, you need to disinfect the incubator. A weak solution of potassium permanganate warmed up to + 39 ° C is suitable.

Step 1. Inspecting the eggs

Careful sorting is carried out before laying. Only the best are selected. Specimens with roughness, outgrowths and other defects on the shell are subject to rejection. They should be of medium size and regular shape.

Egg inspection

Before incubation, they should be stored for no more than 10 days at an air humidity of 80% and a temperature of + 12 ° C in a dry place.

Step 2. Transillumination with an ovoscope

An important step is to inspect the contents with an ovoscope. During the procedure, the state of the yolk is determined. The optimal position is central. When changing the position of the egg, it should not move too much to the side.

Selection with the help of an ovoscope

Prices for an ovoscope for the diagnosis of eggs

Ovoscope

Products with 2 yolks are subject to rejection.

Step 3. Laying eggs

If the incubator is equipped with an automatic overturning mode, the bookmark is made vertically. Otherwise, the eggs are placed upside down with a blunt end and turned every day up to 12 times.

Before incubation, they are heated to + 20 ° C.Heating helps to prevent uneven growth of embryos due to the formation of condensation on the walls of the shell.

Setting eggs in the incubator

Step 4. Care during warming up

During the first 2 weeks, the optimum humidity is 75%, and the temperature is + 38 ° C. After 7 days of incubation, re-check with an ovoscope. When unfertilized specimens or dead embryos are found, the eggs are discarded. The temperature regime on the 3rd week is + 37.5 ° C, humidity - 50%. After 25 days in the incubator, the temperature is reduced by 0.5 ° C, and the air humidity is increased by 20%. Eggs no longer disturb. Chicks hatch for about 27 days.

It is important to maintain the correct temperature in the incubator

Incubators do an excellent job of laying hens, increasing productivity and reducing your labor costs several times. One of these helpers for farmers is the Blitz Norma incubator.

Egg incubators prices

Egg incubators

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.

How to choose good individuals

In order for the purchase of turkey poults to be successful and without unpleasant surprises, there are several important points to consider. Firstly, it is advisable to buy chicks on a poultry farm - this way you can be completely sure of their thoroughbredness. Secondly, you need to choose healthy turkeys - this can be judged by their appearance and behavior.

Chicks are healthy if they have:

• the fluff is clean;
• under the tail is dry, clean, without dried secretions;
• the umbilical cord does not hang;
• the tummy is not swollen;
• the wings are tightly pressed against the body;
• reflexes are well developed - if you knock on the wall of the box, healthy chicks will come running to knock.

History of creation

In the middle of the last century, American breeders started breeding this breed. For 10 years, painstaking work was carried out to create productive individuals with tasty meat. Bronze broad-breasted and White Dutch were taken as the basis. The resulting livestock, in addition to excellent productivity, showed the effect of heterosis.

Heterosis is a biological phenomenon. Its essence is to enhance fertility, increase the size and improve the vitality of the first generation in comparison with the parent material.

White broad-breasted ones are actively involved in the development of new varieties.They took part in the birth of such famous early maturing broilers as Grade Maker, BIG 6, Universal and Victoria.

Scientists still have not figured out why turkeys need massive skin lesions on the neck.

Diseases of turkey poults and treatment at home

Adult turkeys rarely get sick, but young animals suffer from a runny nose and various infectious diseases. Left untreated, the disease leads to serious consequences and even the death of the livestockTherefore, widespread vaccination of turkeys of this breed is recommended.

Birds are considered thermophilic, the air temperature in the room should not drop below 15 degrees. In addition, infectious diseases such as:

How to properly keep young offspring

After purchasing the chicks, you need to provide them with proper care. Until the age of 9 weeks, birds need to be kept in special conditions. Only high-quality proven feed should be poured into the trough. Maintain a comfortable air temperature in the barn. You will have to teach the chicks to eat on their own. How to develop the pecking instinct? Cottage cheese is poured onto a plate or eggs are crumbled. Then you need to knock. This is how pecking skills will develop. To teach them how to drink, you need to very carefully lower the beak into the water.

Sour milk and green grass are also needed by turkeys in the first days of life. And the grain is an integral part of feeding. It is recommended to water chicks with warm water, usually it is heated up to 24 degrees. Unwashed grain is given to turkeys from 7 weeks of age. Feed mixture begins to give from 9 weeks. At the same age, turkey poults are taught to walk.

After the chicks have grown and matured, you can give dry grain and moistened mash. Usually millet is given in the evening and morning. During the day, they make a mash of grass and bran, which is left in the feeders.

It is very important for adult birds to carry out the feather trimming procedure. Usually the trimming is carried out on one side of the flight wings. If you have no experience in this matter, then for the first time it is better to invite a specialist. It is difficult to trim the feathers of an adult turkey.

It is very important to prevent rodents from entering the barn. These animals carry various kinds of infections and viruses. Therefore, it is necessary to frequently disinfect the room. Chlorophos solution is perfect for this purpose. All kinds of crevices and corners must be carefully processed. This is where the virus can multiply. A day later, all the dishes are poured over with hot water. Then the disinfection is repeated.

Uzbek fawn

This is a medium tee of turkeys: the body is small, like the head, the neck is rather long. The color of the plumage is fawn, which also follows from the name.

The weight is also not too different from the average: 6 for a turkey, 10 for a turkey. Not very many eggs are produced either. But they fly well. In addition, they are not picky about living conditions.

General characteristics

Individuals of the white broad-chested American breed were distinguished by their volume, massive and wide chest. The bird's body is muscular, but the muscles are difficult to discern. They are hidden by lush white plumage. Individuals are distinguished by the correct posture, the stand is closer to the vertical. Breeders took samples in 3 groups, in which the turkeys differ in weight. Representatives of each group have their own advantages and disadvantages:

• light category. It includes a bird of light weight: females 5 kg, males 9 kg. They are suitable for keeping in cages. Young growth grows rapidly in confined conditions. The productive weight of turkeys reaches 6 months;
• middle category. The group consists of birds of transitional weight: males 14-17 kg, females 9 kg. The bird is bred both in cages and on bedding. In large poultry farms, they prefer to breed individuals of the middle category. Turkey poults are already being slaughtered at 25 weeks. By this time, the young have reached the mass of an adult bird. In the future, the growth of turkey poults stops. Feeding will not be effective;
• individuals of heavy weight. They are characterized by accelerated growth. They reach productive weight by 21 weeks. The weight of an adult male is more than 25 kg, the weight of a female is more than 14 kg. The bird can only be kept on bedding. In the summer, a pasture is organized for the herd. Wide-breasted white turkeys require a lot of space, but feeding and caring for them is simplified. Chicks appear in the spring. At 3 weeks, the young are taken out to the pasture. At the end of the summer period, the turkeys are slaughtered. By 6 months, you can get a carcass of 20 kg from a bird. With further fattening, the weight of a male turkey can reach 45 kg.

Read also: Chickens of the Brama breed: description, breeding, feeding, photos and videos

Egg production in individuals of the white broad-breasted breed is not more than 70 pcs. The weight of eggs in females of light and medium category is 75-80 g. Layers of heavy weight produce eggs weighing 90 g. The females reach sexual maturity at 8 months. Males mature at 10 months.

The first clutch of turkeys is made at 10 months of age. Duration of egg production is 21 days. During this time, the female lays up to 17 eggs. When the hen's wear begins to decrease, it is used to obtain meat.

Individuals of heavy weight have a high body mass. This complicates the natural insemination process of females. To obtain fertilized eggs, artificial insemination is used. Otherwise, when mating, the males inflict severe injuries on the turkeys. They have fractures of the wings, chest and lower extremities. With artificial insemination, semen is obtained from the male producer. 1 dose is used to fertilize 25 females.

White broad-chested individuals have gained great popularity not only in North America and Europe, but also in Asian countries. Russian breeders took individuals as a basis and created such domestic breeds as Moscow and Stavropol.

has created its own line of white broad-breasted turkeys, which not only differ in meat productivity, but also have decorative qualities. What are the characteristics of these breeds of turkeys?

Meat

The Aztecs noticed the meaty characteristics of wild birds. A male two to three years old reached a weight of up to forty kilograms. Thanks to the intervention of scientists, individuals of modern species have noticeably accelerated growth. They gain seventy percent of the mass by four months.

Turkey meat breeds include common and productive species such as:

• Moscow bronze;
• white broad-breasted;
• Hybrid Converter;
• BYuT-8;
• BIG-6.

Advantages and disadvantages of the breed

When breeding white broad-breasted turkeys, there are much more advantages than disadvantages. So, for six months of intensive feeding, it is possible to get an almost adult bird ready for slaughter, weighing up to 11 kilograms. No other bird weighs that much by this age. Turkeys are unpretentious in keeping, like other birds, they need a lot of fresh air, a lighted room and access to walking. Delicate and healthy poultry meat is very popular with customers.

The only drawback of turkeys is that they consume a large amount of feed.

conclusions

1. The white broad-breasted turkey is a breed, not a hybrid, and therefore can be bred in a private courtyard.
2. The bird, depending on the weight, has three categories.
3. Meat turkeys, but at the same time they carry a lot of high-quality eggs.
4. Adults practically do not get sick.
5. It is advisable to vaccinate turkey poults to prevent the onset of disease.
6. A bird of this breed needs a spacious house.
7. Turkeys can become very aggressive during the mating season.

Common diseases

Caring for young animals and adults is sometimes complicated by the appearance of signs of the disease, which can spread to all livestock. Most of the rest are susceptible to various ailments of turkey poults aged from one to three months.For this reason, young animals are vaccinated during rearing and receive broad spectrum antibiotics. Reviews of white broad-breasted turkeys among farmers show that the most common diseases of these birds are the following:

• histomonosis;
• pullorosis;
• erysipelas;
• brucellosis;
• sinusitis;
• typhoid (paratyphoid);
• tuberculosis;
• Newcastle disease;
• psittacosis.

Appearance

White broad-chested turkeys have a presentable and luxurious appearance that is easily recognizable even in a herd of other poultry. The plumage is white, but in front, on the chest, there is a small area of ​​feathers of a dark color, up to black. Poultry farmers call this elegant piece of medallion, which is clearly visible in the photo. Please note that this breed has an oval body, vertically elongated. Legs are deep pink in color, set wide apart and powerful. The chest is massive, sloping and broad.

Testimonials

Tatyana Ivanovna: The breed is wonderful, it pleases that there is a choice between light and heavy turkeys. I personally raise turkeys weighing up to 14 kilograms, but I am familiar with farmers who feed birds weighing up to 30 kilograms. Zinaida Leonidovna: Nice birds, I will definitely buy myself a couple. I only heard that they need to be artificially inseminated. I don't know if it's true or not, but I'll buy the birds anyway. I really liked their meat. A friend ordered such a turkey for my birthday, there was just a lot of meat, I want to grow one for myself. Gennady Nikolaevich: I have been raising turkeys for a long time and I am constantly amazed at the complaints of poultry farmers about the difficulties with raising young stock of a white broad-breasted breed. I personally did not have any problems with this, most of the eggs were not only fertilized, but also with healthy tenacious turkeys inside. I recommend this breed to both beginner and experienced farmers. Bird lovers website.

As you can see, raising white broad-breasted turkey poults at home is extremely profitable from an economic point of view. Birds get sick a little, adapt well, differ in good egg production and have no tendency to obesity. White females are good brood hens and males rarely show signs of aggression.

Arrangement of nests

In order for egg production to remain at a level and turkeys can hatch offspring, birds will need special nests, which are installed in calm places. Turkeys are given a certain amount of time to get used to the houses, such actions are recommended to be carried out 2-3 weeks before the reproductive period begins.

Turkeys will lay and hatch eggs only when they feel completely safe.

A place that is quiet and located as far from the front doors as possible is best. In the space where nesting houses are installed, the lighting is dimmed, and a warm, dry bedding is poured. Do not forget to leave a free passage to the nests for cleaning and disinfection work.

Egg products should not lie on hard, cold surfaces. For this, the nests are covered with hay, straw or sawdust. The dimensions of the house are made 60x60 cm or more. There are up to 5 birds per nest, which are all inside together. Some of the females may choose a roof for incubation, for such cases it is recommended to make them beveled. The nests are placed more than 25 cm above the floor.

When choosing nests, pay attention to the presence of high sides so that the eggs do not roll out and do not beat. It is necessary to have a sill, which will help the litter not to get enough sleep.

The nesting house should be free of foreign objects that could harm both females and eggs. If there are nails sticking out, then they must be hammered in.

In the event that egg products are used as food for humans, nests with egg collectors need to be installed.

Cell content of young animals

How to care for an adult bird

Turkeys can be attacked by parasitic insects, which cause discomfort to the bird. Infection from sick individuals occurs very quickly. Feeling itching, the bird begins to scratch and clean feathers. At the same time, productive qualities decrease, but appetite increases.

Preventive measures include periodic inspection of the entire herd, nest houses, perches, bedding materials, crevices and surfaces. To prevent the appearance of parasites, containers are installed with a mixture of ash and sand, which is poured in as costs.

Universal

It is difficult to say what breeds of turkeys are the best, someone prefers more meat, someone eggs, there is another option - universal breeds.

Scientists are constantly working on the creation of new varieties of turkeys. The demand for poultry with egg and meat production is very high. Therefore, breeders work diligently to create the required individual. At this time, there are already samples of created birds with universal qualities.

For keeping birds for double productivity, the best breeds will be:

• North Caucasian bronze;
• Uzbek fawn and white species.

Before you start turkeys, you need to decide for what purpose they will be intended. Based on this, already choose the breed.

You can clearly see the external distinctive features of birds on a photo of turkey breeds in any sources.

Preventive measures and sanitation

Without taking preventive measures and timely implementation of measures that prevent the development of diseases in birds, it is impossible to breed any number of individuals normally. Experienced farmers advise treating all premises with antiseptic agents at least once every few years. Pest control in the poultry house is a prerequisite, provided that the basic rules for the care, breeding and maintenance of turkeys are observed. At home, the owner needs to pay special attention to the level of humidity in the premises, since high rates can seriously harm the health of the birds.

In order to prevent the occurrence of germs and infections in turkeys, the room should be regularly ventilated even in winter. The materials of the poultry houses must be safe. For example, poorly sanded planks can damage turkeys' legs, ultimately affecting the rate at which they gain weight. Among other conditions for maintaining sanitation, it should be noted the need to change the bedding weekly, but this procedure is allowed to be performed more often. Feeders and drinkers should be kept clean at all times, and wet mash containers should be washed after each feed.

Productivity

The productivity of turkeys is high. It refers primarily to meat, but the egg rate is also satisfactory for poultry with a significant mass. This article will tell you about the largest breed of turkeys.

Meat yield

The amount of meat obtained from poultry depends on its category. So, a turkey, which belongs to the heavy variety, at the age of 6 months already gains up to 16 kg and has a marketable carcass. It is suitable for slaughter, and further maintenance due to a decrease in the growth rate is no longer considered profitable. Turkeys of the Hybrid Converter breed have large muscle mass.

Egg production

Females begin to rush from 9 to 10 months. Then they reach maturity and can be selected as efficiently as possible for the breeding herd. The duration of the laying period, depending on the individual characteristics of the bird, is from 6 to 8 months. During the season, the turkey produces up to 100 eggs, weighing about 85 g.

Individual female record holders can lay more than 100 eggs per season.

Maternal instinct

Turkeys have a well-developed maternal instinct, and they easily sit on eggs. BIG-6 turkeys are also good hens.They are used for breeding not only turkey poults, but also for chicks of other types of poultry. You can put a large amount of incubation material under the female, which is beneficial for the owner. Even large goose eggs are laid under the turkey, which, besides the geese themselves, cannot be hatched by other poultry.

A valuable feature is the fact that the bird not only sits on the nest until the chicks hatch, but also further takes care of them, leading and protecting them. Chicks of other types of turkey will also drive, but due to the fact that they still need slightly different conditions for life than turkey poults, it is advisable to take them.

You can leave the turkey for growing, in addition to its own chicks, turkey poults of other breeds and guinea fowls.

The absence of maternal instinct is very rare in birds. In some cases, females that are too young or very old may refuse to sit on the nest due to the fact that their body is either not yet ready for incubation, or can no longer bear such a load. In these situations, it is useless to try to forcefully put the bird on the nest.

Care of matured young growth

For strengthened chicks at the age of 1 month, they begin to add wet mash to the diet. Knead them in water. Over time, you can add curdled milk. In the mash, you should put the leaves of young nettle and cabbage, chopped alfalfa. Also, we will not be superfluous to add fish oil and cottage cheese. With proper care, turkey poults will gain weight by 1.5 years. But the main increase occurs in the first 6 months. This period is the most important and responsible.

When growing turkey poults, one should not forget about disease prevention. Vitamin C is added to food already in the first days of life. At the end of the 2nd week, the livestock is vaccinated against incurable Newcastle disease. A week later, do a second vaccination. Also, at certain times, the livestock should be fed with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, multivitamin complexes and broad-spectrum antibiotics should be given. The veterinarian will tell you how to properly organize preventive measures, and what drugs are best to use.