The most common breeds of turkeys

Immediately make a reservation that turkey meat breeds are more popular, therefore, breeds with we will not consider juice meat productivity.

Grade Maker

Breeders worked on the breeding of the Grade Maker breed. They were faced with the task of obtaining a turkey with high meat productivity, and to improve the palatability of meat . Breeding took a lot of time, but the experts coped with the task. This breed is very popular in Europe. In Russia, it is still not very common. The meat productivity of males is, on average, 19 kg. Females gain 10 kg less. The meat has a delicate taste and it is dietary, since the fat content in it is minimal. the breed is precocious. It is worth noting that the turkeys of the Great Maker breed are resistant to various diseases and adapt well to any conditions. Therefore, in Russia and Belarus, where the climatic conditions are quite severe, it is profitable to breed this breed of turkey. Egg productivity is, on average, 95 eggs. Egg weight varies from 80 to 85 g.

Conditions of detention

When keeping turkeys of this breed, it is necessary to ensure a temperature of 18-220C in the house. Also make sure that the house is dry. Dampness is the main enemy of all breeds of turkeys. Grade Maker turkeys are aggressive. So that there are no fights in the house, males should be 7-8 times less than females. Consider the considerable weight of adults when equipping the house. Perches and nests are made of solid wood. We install perches at a distance of 50 cm from the floor.To prevent birds from being crowded, at least 60 cm of perch are allowed for one turkey. There should be a lot of sunlight in the house. Therefore, take care of the presence of windows. In the absence of sunlight, birds slowly gain weight. Also, the lack of sunlight negatively affects the formation of immunity. An artificial light source cannot replace the sun's rays. Feathers need to systematically clean their plumage. for this they use sand and ash. Therefore, in a house or aviary we put a container with ash and sand. In the absence of feather cleaning, there is a high probability that parasites will start in the plumage. And turkey feathers on the market are appreciated for their lightness and softness.

North Caucasian bronze turkey

The North Caucasian bronze turkey was bred for a long time by breeders of the Stavropol Territory. The progenitors of North Caucasian turkeys are bronze broad-chested. Due to this broiler breed, improved indices of local birds, with which it was crossed. The Caucasian turkey got its name due to the fact that it is most common in the Caucasus. At one time, this breed of turkeys was brought to Bulgaria and Germany, where it is in demand today. North Caucasian bronze turkeys have an unusual color. The primary color of the pen is black. A bronze hue appears in the sun. Also in sunlight, feathers play with green and golden colors.On the back there is a wide strip of bronze hue, which is an ornament of birds. The same strip is on the large and magnificent tail. The chest is decorated with a thin rim of white color.

Meat and egg productivity

Among all the meat breeds of turkeys, the North Caucasian is not the largest. The weight of an adult male is, on average, 13 kg. The female weighs, as a rule, no more than 7 kg. But turkey poults gain weight very quickly. With proper nutrition, already at the age of 4 weeks, their weight is 4 kg. Egg productivity is 80 eggs. It is worth noting that almost all eggs are fertilized and can be used to hatch chicks. According to studies, hatchability of eggs is at least 80%. In this case, a very viable young growth is born. No more than 10% of chicks die.

Containment conditions

the conditions for keeping of all turkey breeds are approximately the same. Since we have examined them in sufficient detail above, we dwell only on specific features concerning the North Caucasian breed of turkeys. These birds are motile. Therefore, they need a large aviary. The North Caucasian breed of turkeys does not tolerate cold. But adapts to the hot climate quickly enough.Therefore, this breed is not suitable for keeping in those regions where summer begins late and autumn early.

A feature of the North Caucasian turkey breed is that it can be used to improve any local breed.

White broad-breasted turkeys

When considering breeds of turkeys for breeding at home, one cannot but mention white broad-breasted turkeys. They come from the USA, but have taken root well in our country. During breeding, a bronze broad-breasted turkey was used. But the turkey inherited the plumage color from the white Dutch, which was also used to breed. groups.

• The first group includes individuals whose weight is 9 and 6 kg for males and females, respectively. This is the so-called light cross. Despite the low indicator of meat productivity, light crosses have their advantages, the main of which is the simplicity of maintenance. During feeding, these turkeys will not have to pour large portions.
• Males of medium cross-country gain 16 kg, Females - 7 kg.
• Heavy cross is in special demand among people involved in breeding Turkeys as a business . The weight of males sometimes reaches 26 kg. Females gain 9-10 kg each.

Females of white broad-breasted turkey are valued for meat productivity.For a year they carry from 120 to 150 eggs. Egg weight is, on average, 85 g. At least 85% are fertilized. And hatchability is 77.5%. And this is a high percentage.

Content Features

If we consider different breeds of turkeys, we can say that white broad-chested is one of the most susceptible to climatic conditions, which complicates it content. In the poultry house , it is constantly necessary to maintain a certain temperature regime, monitor the humidity and duration of daylight hours, and ensure that there are no drafts. But, all investments will pay off in 5-6 months. By this age, white turkeys gain maximum weight. But in order to get the desired gains, you need to provide good nutrition. This turkey breed is fed with good quality feed at least twice a day. In addition to animal feed, white turkeys need a lot of green food. Therefore, they will have to be released into the pasture.

Bronze broad-breasted turkeys

Sometimes this breed of turkeys is called French. This name was given to the bird due to the fact that it is most popular in France. But her homeland is the United States. A bronze broad-breasted turkey was obtained by crossing the English breed with the American one. A feature of the bronze broad-breasted turkey is an unusually beautiful color of plumage.It contains shades of brown and green, white, black, bronze, silver and ashy color. You can see in the video that at some angle the white color, which is located in stripes on the tail, looks like silver.

Meat and egg productivity

bronze broad-breasted turkey gaining up to 18 kg weight. Adult Females Weigh about 10 kg. But the breed is valued not so much for a quantitative indicator as for a qualitative one. The meat has excellent taste. It is like a game. The meat yield after slaughter is up to 80%, which is not typical for many breeds. Egg productivity is, on average, 100 eggs per year. But some individuals carry up to 155 eggs a year. And they begin to lay turkey eggs at the 9th month of life.

Content Features

This breed of turkeys for breeding is good because it is unpretentious in leaving. Turkey poultry of this breed are resistant to many diseases. But there is a drawback in bronze broad-chested Turkeys. Two males get along practically together. Therefore, it is better to keep turkey families separately. And the family consists of a turkey and 2 turkeys. If it is not possible to arrange separate enclosures for each family, then it is better to look at a different breed of turkeys. It is worth noting that bronze broad-breasted turkeys are excellent brood hens. And this is not typical for most breeds. It is usually quite difficult to plant turkey on eggs.It is advisable to plant a turkey at the age of 2 years on eggs. As practice has shown, such turkeys often incubate viable and healthy offspring. It is also worth noting that no matter which breed is bred, bronze turkeys are often used during crossing.

Black Tikhoretsky breed

Turkeys of the black Tikhoretsky breed have many advantages, which makes them popular among livestock specialists. Tikhoretskaya turkey is the result of the work of scientists of the Krasnodar Territory. Today they are popular in all CIS countries. The plumage is painted black, but thanks to the noble dark green tint, the Tikhorets black turkeys look very good in the photo.

Meat productivity and egg production

This is not the largest breed among turkeys. Males gain about 10 kg. The weight of the female is 4 kg less. The output after slaughter is 60%. The peculiarity of black Tikhorets turkeys is that they are already at the age of 17 weeks Weigh 4 kg. At this age, turkey poultry has very tender meat. Therefore, some farmers slaughter the bird without waiting for it to reach its maximum weight. Egg production is 80 eggs per year. Of these, 80% are fertilized.

Content Features

Black Tikhorets turkeys are unpretentious in content. Females are good mother hens and mothers. In a well-sealed poultry house, turkeys winter well even in the coldest regions of the country.In severe frosts, the house should be heated. turkeys are unpretentious in nutrition and in good health.

Canadian turkeys

Canadian breed turkeys, which are also called broiler broad-breasted, - these are weight-gaining champions. The color is usually black with white stripes in the tail area. There are white representatives. But the white Canadian turkey in the photo is more common than in real life.

Meat productivity and egg production

Canadian turkeys are giants. Males gain up to 30 kg of weight. The mass of an adult turkey is 16-17 kg. Only turkey breed can boast of such characteristics. But Canadian turkeys, unlike a highbridge convector, stop weight gain at the age of 3 months. Today, a precocious breed does not exist. The meat is appreciated for its excellent palatability. At 9 months, the females begin to rush. The egg production period is 5-6 months. During this period, Females give 70-90 eggs, almost all of which are fertilized.

Content Features

Because turkeys gain weight very quickly, they need to provide good nutrition. It is also worth noting that Canadian turkeys are unstable to various diseases.Therefore, you need to hang up a table of preventive measures, and clearly follow it. We give preparations to chicks from the first days of life. In particular, we start with vitamin C. Canadian turkeys are thermophilic. Therefore, they are not suitable for breeding in regions with a short summer. Another feature is that there is a big difference between the Weight of males and females. This complicates the breeding process, since mating is not always successful. Specialists recommend artificial insemination.

Moscow bronze turkeys

Moscow bronze turkeys are the result of the work of domestic breeders. They are common in Russia and Ukraine.

Meat productivity and egg production

Moscow breed turkeys gain 12 kg of weight. The average weight of turkeys is 6.5 kg. Four-month-old turkeys weigh 4 kg. The Uzbek pale yellow breed, which is easy to maintain, has the same indicators. A feature of the breed is the early maturation of females. They begin to rush at the age of 7 months. Egg production is 90 eggs per year. Over 90% of the eggs are fertilized, but hatchability is 65%. Viable offspring are born. No more than 10% of the chicks die during rearing.

Content Features

These turkeys are unpretentious in content. They do not need huge areas for walking. You will not find Moscow bronze on turkey farms, in view of the average indicators of meat and egg productivity.But they are of interest to breeders who use them to breed new crosses. at home, you can also use the Moscow turkey to improve other breeds.

Features of the choice

Before you go to buy eggs or chicks, we study the breeds of turkeys with a description and attached photo. When looking at photos of breeds of turkeys, pay attention to the size of the chest. The larger it is, the greater will be the yield of meat after slaughter. When cutting carcasses, the sternum does not contain waste. Therefore, among all the new breeds of turkeys, the lion's share is broad-breasted birds.

You should not buy chicks on the market. If there is a turkey farm nearby, then go there to buy. There you can not only see the catalog of turkey breeds with a description and photo, but also consult a specialist. He will tell you how to choose a breed of turkeys depending on the climatic characteristics of a particular region, your capabilities and needs.

Do not try to get the best varieties. Many of them require vast territories for grazing. Limit yourself to those breeds that do not need a large area for walking, and which are not demanding in care.After all, sometimes it’s more advisable not to buy hammers, but ordinary mopeds, which, for example, are better for the village. Also with turkeys. the content of giant breeds is justified when it comes to breeding birds on an industrial scale .

Conclusion

We examined those breeds of turkeys that are most popularity. But do not forget that breeders are constantly working on breeding new breeds. And, if you decide to start breeding Turkeys at home, then in addition to the most popular options, consider the new items that appear on the market every year. As for the advisability of raising turkeys, keeping them at home is a little more complicated and expensive than keeping chickens, and the characteristics of large birds are much better.