A Comprehensive Analysis of the Eight Major Advantages of Turkey Farming

  The turkey, scientifically known as Meleagris gallopavo and also called the seven-faced bird, originated in the Americas and is a high-grade, wild-flavor meat poultry species that is herbivorous and grain-saving. It is large in size, fast-growing, high in meat yield, strong in reproductive capacity and easy to manage. Turkey farming requires little investment, produces much output and yields high returns, which can increase farmers' farming income and, at the same time, sounds the call for adjusting the local agricultural and livestock industry structure. In addition, the turkey has very high edible value and medicinal value, with broad market prospects. Engaging in turkey farming offers very considerable prospects.

　　1. Turkeys are large in size and grow fast

Under normal conditions, at 140 days heavy-type turkey toms can reach 16-20 kg and hens can reach 9-15 kg; medium-type turkey toms can reach 13-15 kg and hens can reach 8-10 kg; light-type turkey toms can reach 10-12 kg and hens can reach 5-8 kg.

　　2. Turkeys have a high meat yield

The turkey has long enjoyed the reputation of being a “meat-making machine”. It has well-developed breast meat and leg meat, accounting for more than 40% of live weight, with a live slaughter rate of 64% and a carcass slaughter rate of more than 85%. It is currently the poultry species with the highest meat yield among all poultry, with the weight of breast meat and leg meat alone accounting for more than 40% of live weight, something many poultry species cannot compare with.

　　3. Turkeys have strong reproductive capacity

With artificial incubation, each turkey can lay 180 eggs per year; with natural incubation, it can lay 80-100 eggs per year, and both the fertilization rate and the hatching rate are above 90%. Turkeys generally begin laying eggs at 6-7 months of age. After laying 15-25 eggs, they begin to brood, with an incubation period of 26-28 days.

　　4. Turkey poults have a high birth weight and a high survival rate ⟧11⟧ Generally, a newly hatched turkey can weigh 110-130 grams, with a survival rate above 95%.

Generally, newly hatched turkeys can weigh 110-130 grams, with a survival rate above 95%.