Breeding poultry is a profitable business, especially if the breed of birds is chosen correctly. Moscow white turkeys bring good income, as they are unpretentious in care, quickly increase body weight, and are adapted to harsh climatic conditions. Russian breeders developed this breed using Canadian turkeys and bronze specimens. Why has this type of turkey become so popular in Russia? Let's learn the nuances of keeping and breeding.
Description and performance characteristics
Moscow white turkeys have become a real achievement of domestic scientists.In terms of productivity, the bird is similar to the bronze breed. But white turkeys have higher egg production rates and increase body weight faster.
The average weight of males in adulthood reaches 12-13 kilograms, females - 6.5-7 kilograms. By the age of 5.5-6 months, the young already weigh about 6 kilograms. The farmer sends the bird to slaughter on the 40th day. Further, keeping the bird becomes unprofitable, since the growth rate noticeably decreases.
Females bring up to 110-120 eggs per year. In comparison with a wild individual, which produces 20 eggs annually, this figure is quite high. Turkeys lay their first clutch at 9 months. The products are then used for sale or incubation. One egg weighs up to 85 grams.
Pros and cons of the Moscow Broad-chested
According to reviews from farmers, keeping white Moscow turkeys is very profitable and has a number of positive aspects:
- high meat indicators, availability of cultivation in industrial volumes;
- excellent egg production rates;
- active growth and gain of muscle mass;
- healthy and tasty meat;
- possibility of bird selection;
- healthy and hardy offspring;
- high maternal instincts of laying hens;
- not demanding in care and maintenance;
- resistant to frost.
Disadvantages include:
- high cost of individuals for breeding;
- a large amount of feed is required;
- need for daily grazing;
- a large barn is required due to the size of the birds;
- keeping separately from other bird species;
- If there is a disease in one bird, the infection quickly spreads within the flock.
Farmers also note the peculiarities of poultry care related to the organization of a spacious room and maintaining cleanliness inside. If the minimum requirements for keeping turkeys are met, active growth and development of birds is observed, with payback in a short time.
Conditions of detention and care
For white broad-breasted birds, drafts and dampness are detrimental, so the house should be warm and dry. It is prohibited to keep more than 40 females and 5 males at the same time in one pen. If this rule is not observed, conflicts arise between birds, which result in severe injuries and mutilations.
Indoors, the bottom is covered with fresh straw or hay. The nests are equipped with a wooden side so that the eggs do not fall on the floor. The inside bottom is also covered with hay bedding. The height of the perch is made at least 25 centimeters. There should be no protruding nails or other objects inside the shed where birds could get injured.
Turkey poults are placed in a poultry house pre-treated with disinfectants. Place 4-5 individuals per square meter. When the little chicks are six months old, the size of the barn is doubled.
Moscow white turkeys need good lighting. The room temperature should not fall below +15 degrees. Daylight hours for this breed last 8 hours. In winter, additional artificial lighting is provided.
What to feed turkeys?
Feeders and drinkers are located at the height of the bird's back, this will allow you to significantly save on food. Chicks and adults are provided with food containers at different heights. There should also be a separate feeder for each type of food.
The massive bird consumes a lot of water, so the drinking bowls are always filled with fresh water in sufficient quantities.
The chicks are fed boiled eggs and ground cereal. Greens are given in crushed form. Adult turkeys are given alfalfa, nettle, and cabbage.In the morning and during the daytime, birds are fed wet mash. It is preferable to give dry food in the evening. The diet must include: greens, vegetables, sprouted grains. In winter, vitamin supplements are added to the diet. Adults are fed 3 times a day, during the reproductive period - 5 times, young animals are fed up to 8 times a day.
Breeding
Females lay eggs fruitfully if the nest is properly organized. Individuals need to feel safe, so they install the nest in a separate place, away from noisy places. When breeding poultry at home, observe the following rules:
- hens are provided with high-quality nutrition 10 days before roosting;
- while the eggs are incubating, the farmer should not disturb the female;
- When using the incubator, strictly follow the instructions for the device;
- hatched chicks are placed in a brooder;
- Chicks are vaccinated according to age.
The bird is kept in a dry, draft-free room, and the bedding is changed periodically. At 2 months, the chicks are allowed to graze in the fresh air.
Frequent illnesses
The main guarantee of bird health is proper nutrition and maintenance. To protect the livestock from parasites such as ticks, bedbugs, and fleas, the turkey house is periodically inspected. Insects get inside through cracks and holes, so they are carefully sealed.
In the absence of walking, turkeys are prone to obesity. The disease manifests itself mainly in adults. The disease negatively affects the quality of meat. To prevent problems from occurring, birds are given daily walks in a fenced area.
Young animals are more often susceptible to infectious diseases. Such diseases quickly spread among the livestock and can cause irreparable damage to the farm.To eliminate negative consequences, birds should be vaccinated on time.
With proper diet and timely care, Moscow white turkeys have no drawbacks. Most breeders are satisfied with the effectiveness of the activity associated with raising this breed of birds.
