The main features of growing at home turkey poults BIG 6
Turkey meat is a healthy product rich in protein, magnesium, phosphorus and other elements important for the human body. It is highly valued on the market, however, compared to other varieties, it is much less common on the market, therefore, it is increasingly popular today to grow BIG 6 turkeys at home.
This breed appeared in Russia several years ago and immediately became in demand. BIG 6 turkeys grow large, allowing you to get a lot of meat. In addition, they are a source of eggs, down and feathers. The birds are unpretentious in care and feeding, which makes the work of farmers easier. Thanks to all this, raising broiler turkeys at home is extremely beneficial.
BIG 6 is the heaviest breed of turkeys. It is highly regarded as birds gain weight quickly. Growing BIG 6 turkeys allows private farms to achieve high profitability by selling eggs and meat.
Breed characteristics
- bulging chest;
- thick legs;
- large wings;
- red earrings and a beard;
- ornaments on the neck and on the head of males.
Their feather is valued no less than meat, since it is very light and soft. Broiler turkeys at home grow up in several months, after which they are sent to the slaughter.
The weight of the male reaches 25 kg, and the female - 11 kg.
About a third of the entire carcass falls on the sternum, and in general, the body weight yield is 80%. Over the entire period, females bring more than 100 eggs, which are known for their excellent taste. Due to the high percentage of chicks emerging from them, it is possible to independently breed and sell broiler turkeys at home. However, you should know some of the features of caring for them in order to get a healthy and large bird. You also need to be prepared for the fact that turkeys require a lot of attention. Therefore, caring for them takes a lot of time and requires certain financial costs.
How to raise healthy turkey poults at home?
Despite the fact that turkeys of this breed are quite unpretentious, they need constant care. The first step is to prepare the house. Before placing turkeys in it, the room must be ventilated. The temperature in it during the cold season should not drop below 20 degrees. Growing BIG 6 turkey poults at home requires maintaining it at 30 degrees. As they grow, the temperature should be lowered, but this should be done gradually. Turkeys react poorly to its sharp fluctuations.
You can increase egg production by installing fluorescent lamps in the house.
The number of feeders and drinkers should be sufficient to prevent birds from crowding and interfering with each other. In addition, for raising BIG 6 turkeys at home in the poultry house, it is necessary to put several containers filled with ash and sand, in which the turkeys can clean their plumage.
Straw bedding is placed on the floor of the house. It needs to be replaced twice a week.
The house should be regularly ventilated, as dampness and humidity can cause turkeys to get sick.
The bird dwelling should also be equipped with thick beams so that they can freely sit on them. Growing BIG 6 turkeys at home, in the warm season they are released for walking, which requires a large space. If this is not possible, a solarium with a cement floor is built for the birds.
Feeding BIG 6 turkeys at home
Food Is one of the important aspects of care. Normal development and growth of turkeys is impossible without a balanced diet. Therefore, you should provide them with the necessary amount of food on time. At first, a special starter feed will be enough, but gradually the diet should be supplemented with:
- corn;
- wheat;
- barley;
- grated beets, carrots;
- rowan;
- fish oil;
- cottage cheese;
- greens and hay.
In order to prevent various diseases, young animals should be drunk with antibiotics. Trying to understand how to raise healthy turkey poults at home, many do not pay enough attention to the quality of the feed. Only fresh and high-quality products are suitable for poultry food. To increase their appetite and accelerate weight gain, sprinkle the food with finely chopped onions. For small turkeys, it can be moistened with liquid dairy products. They manage to stimulate digestion with the help of wheat and chopped boiled eggs.
Do not use fatty feed for turkeys, as this provokes obesity.
Feeding BIG 6 turkeys at home in winter is carried out 3 times, in the warm season - at least 5 times a day. With the right diet, young animals quickly gain weight and develop well. If growth retardation is noticeable, chicks should be removed from adults, cleaned with drinking bowls and feeders, and ensured that quality feed is used. If all the basic recommendations are followed, after a few months the young should turn into large birds, ready for slaughter.