How to Raise Turkey Poults? Breeding Techniques and Management Tips
Turkeys grow fast, have good meat quality, and low cholesterol, making them highly favored by people in Western countries and an essential food for Thanksgiving. At present, many farmers have started raising turkeys, so how do you raise turkey poults?
1. Brooding Period
The brooding period refers to turkeys from 0-8 weeks of age. The temperature and humidity in the brooder house are relatively high. If a large amount of feed is given at one time, the uneaten feed will mold and become musty. When feeding turkey poults, follow the principles of “feed small amounts and replenish often” and “keep feed fresh,” feeding appropriate amounts of feed multiple times a day. The drinking water for turkey poults must be clean and hygienic at 20°C, and the water should be replaced every 4-6 hours to ensure the drinking water quality for the poults.
2. Growing Period
The growing period refers to turkeys from 9-28 weeks of age. After the brooding period, the turkeys' physique and disease resistance are already relatively strong, general temperature differences pose little threat, and they are easy to manage during breeding. Breeding methods can take the form of confinement, free-range, or a combination of both. Ordinary farmers can adopt the free-range method. For turkeys raised in confinement, attention should also be paid to cleaning the water troughs; after cleaning, they can be disinfected with potassium permanganate solution. During grazing, turkeys can freely feed on green grass and insects to increase activity and save feed. Drive the turkeys into the free-range area at 7:00 and drive them back at 16:00; over time, the turkeys will form the habit themselves. Free-range turkeys are fed pelleted feed once a day, and sufficient drinking water should be maintained. In winter, turkeys are not suitable for free-range raising; the coop should be sealed with plastic sheeting and confinement raising should begin. The feed ratio for confinement feeding is basically the same as that for breeding turkeys.
3. Daily Management
The main daily management work for turkeys includes disinfection and epidemic prevention. Do a good job of environmental hygiene, promptly remove various pollutants from the site, disinfect regularly, and choose disinfectants that are safe for humans and poultry, non-corrosive to equipment, and leave no toxic residue. Outsiders must undergo strict disinfection, especially the soles of their shoes. Cleaning and disinfection work at the farm is done 2 times: the 1st time at 7:00, the 2nd time at 16:00. For disinfection, use a 1:300 aqueous solution of Chuandao Classic Povidone-Iodine and a 1:300 aqueous solution of didecyldimethylammonium bromide alternately to avoid developing drug resistance. Disinfect once, then clean, then disinfect once more.
Prevent feed from molding. Because there is more rain and high humidity in summer, concentrated feed is very prone to molding, which can lead to turkey mold poisoning. Dry the feed and prohibit the use of moldy feed to prevent poisoning incidents. When using feed, feed at fixed times and in fixed amounts, giving small amounts and replenishing frequently. Usually pay attention to managing by groups, provide appropriate exercise, keep things quiet, and maintain hygiene.
At present, relatively few people in China raise turkeys, and not many people in China eat turkey either. If growers have sales channels, they can try raising turkeys.