Information About Turkey Farming & Business Guide


BY: Cajetan Chinaemerem

gbojom blog online
gbojom blog online





Commercial turkey farming

 is a profitable business idea. Similar to  Rabbit Farming
 Turkey grow faster like broiler chickens and become suitable for slaughter purpose within a very short time. Turkey farming for meat production is very popular than egg production from turkey. Although some people keep a or several tom (a mature male turkey) as a pet.

YOU MAY ALSO READ  how to Startup a successful Chicken Farming business 

There are several turkey breeds available around the globe. But all those breeds are not suitable enough for commercial meat production. You can raise only a few of those breeds in your farm for profitable meat production. For profitable meat production you have to use some modern turkey breeds that are raised for commercial production. This type of turkey breeds has a maximum feed to meat conversion rate. They consume less feed and convert this feed to meat within a very short time. Broad-breasted White is such a modern turkey breed for commercial production. The meat produced by raising this breed on pasture on a small farm, it will be more tasty and flavorful than the meat produced from commercial farm.


Items you will need

    Enclosed 10 x 10 area for each 10 poults

    Wood shavings, straw or hay

    Heat lamp if raising more than 10 poults

    Hanging feeder

    Chicken water fountain

    Poultry feed (rations) for each phase of growth

    Poul ts

    Poultry fencing

    Poultry fencing stakes

    Poultry cages

Warnings


    Turkeys are susceptible to blackhead disease, Airsacculitis and Coccidiosis. Most hatcheries can inoculate poults for these diseases prior to shipment or provide the inoculations separately.



Tips

    Allowing turkeys to graze in a pasture is optional. It requires farmers to put up poultry fencing in the area where the birds will graze. Birds should be brought back indoors at night if there are predators in the area.

    A shelter should be available in the pasture for inclement or hot weather. A waterer should also be available if there is no other water source.

    For larger turkey operations, debeaking the birds is desirable. This is done when they are a week or so of age. This prevents cannibalism, which is common in large flocks.

Starting a turkey farm can be a great money making opportunity for a farmer. However, raising turkeys isn't always easy. The saying is that a turkey will look for a reason to die, instead of looking for a reason to live. To be successful, it is important to start with healthy poults (young turkeys), the cleanest living arrangements and the very best feed. This will ensure that your turkeys are healthy and the operation profitable.

Employ a butcher for your poultry. Turkey farmers have to make arrangements with butchers ahead of raising the turkeys so they will have the resources available when it is time to dress them.

Prepare the area in which the poults will be housed. (1)It should be clean and draft free. (2)Each turkey will require at least one square foot of space. (3)Clean wood shavings, straw or hay should be placed on the floor. (4)A heat lamp should be hung two feet above the pen. (5) A water fountain and a feeder should be placed in the pen. (6)Starter ration should be on hand for the arrival of the poults.

Decide what type of turkeys are you going to raise and place an order from a reputable hatchery.
There are two choices: 
heritage or white-breasted turkeys. 
When heritage turkeys are dressed, there are black dots on the skin where the feathers were removed. White breasted turkeys are preferred because they will have all white skin. Poults will be delivered within two days of hatching.

.1.  When the poults arrive, place them in their new home quickly. The heat lamp should be on and there should be fresh water and feed available. The chicks need to have their beaks dipped in the water upon arrival to ensure they know where the water source is. After the first few hours they will then begin to drink water and eat by themselves.

.2.   Remove the heat lamp and switch to grower ration when the poults are approximately eight weeks of age. The birds may also be put in a pasture during the day in warmer climates.

.3.   Put the turkeys on a finishing ration at 14 weeks of age. The birds will be ready for dressing at 22 to 28 weeks of age, depending upon sex and breed. If the birds will be dressed at another location, poultry cages will be required for their transport.

 Feeding & Watering

Good and nutritious feed keeps the bird healthy and productive. So, it would be better to learn how to feed the turkey birds and this will help you to prevent problems in turkey farming and reducing feeding costs. Turkey needs more protein in their food for first few weeks than other domestic birds. 
The protein in poultry feed should be at least 28 percent. You can go with chick starter which contain about 28 percent of protein. Feed the turkey, chick starter for first six weeks and after that period you can feed them grower feed. Grower feed should contain 20 percent protein. The amount of protein in turkey feed is higher than chickens or other poultry birds feed. Along with providing nutritious food, always serve them sufficient amount of fresh and clean water. Generally, 2 gallons of fresh water is necessary for one dozen of turkeys.

Care & Management


Always try to keep your birds in healthy environment and learn more about turkey farming and how to prevent health problems. Never feed your birds contaminated or outdated food. Always provide them clean and fresh water. Keep sufficient space inside the house. And lastly, take good care of your birds.

Marketing

 Turkey farming business is really very lucrative and enjoyable. If you are thinking about setting up commercial turkey farming business, then try to learn more about them and visit many turkey farms.


You can as well Learn Rabbits Farming Business