How to start turkey keeping
introduction
Turkey farming is one of the most profitable ventures if handled and maintained well. In Uganda, turkeys are in demand, especially during the festival seasons like Christmas, Easter, and more.
Are you a farmer, and do you want to try rearing other domestic birds like turkeys, but you don't know how to start? Here is a step-by-step guide on how to start turkey farming.
1. Understand the basics of turkey farming.
Unlike chickens, turkeys require more space because of their size and are more sensitive to stress. Make a study on their feeding habits, growth period, breeds, and health needs before starting turkey farming.
2. Choose the right breed.
It's best to choose the right breed for meat or eggs according to your goal. Below are some common breeds you can start with.
broad-breasted white
This is the first meat-type breed you can farm.
For farmers practicing free-range farming, Bronze is a hardy breed suitable for your free range.
local breeds
These are indigenous breeds commonly reared in Uganda, though they are slow in growing compared to other breeds.
3. Construct suitable housing.
Set up a well-ventilated shelter for the turkeys; ensure it has enough space, at least a minimum of 3 to 4 square feet per bird. The shelter must be properly roofed and safe to protect turkeys from rain, harsh weather conditions, and predators.
The shelter must be easy to clean and disinfect.
4. Buy healthy poults (young turkeys).
It's recommended to start with young turkeys aged 1 to 2 weeks, and don't just buy poults from any source. Buy from a trusted hatchery or a farmer, and ensure they are vaccinated and active before taking them on the farm.
5. Feeding turkeys
At the age of 1 to 8 weeks, young turkeys feed on starter mash food, which has smaller particles and is rich in proteins. From 8 to 16 weeks, feed them food lower in proteins, like grower, to help boost their growth.
6. Health and vaccinations
Common diseases in turkeys are fowl pox, worms, coccidiosis, and Newcastle disease. You can prevent these diseases. Regularly vaccinate the infected flock, isolate sick birds from others, ensure that the shelter is clean, and use poultry drugs recommended by a vet.
7.breeding and hatching
After turkeys have laid eggs at around 7 to 8 months, hatch the eggs using the artificial incubator or give the eggs to the hen to hatch them. Have at least 2 male turkeys with 10 females, or a ratio of 1 to 5, for good output.
8. marketing and selling
There are many ways of selling and marketing turkeys. You can sell them live in the market, butcheries for meat, and restaurants. And in some places, like Kampala, Uganda, turkeys are also sold by hawkers, creating more demand for turkeys and their eggs on the market.
conclusion
You can start small with at least one or two turkeys; as long as you monitor them well, with proper care, security, and feeding, you can uplift your turkey farm to another level and make it your number one source of income.