Poultry Advisory Services (PAS) Advisory Services

Turkey Farming

There are different breeds of Turkey, but Bronze turkey farming is common and popular throughout the world. It is a meat turkey breed and raised mainly for meat production purpose. Name of the breed refers to it’s plumage, which bears a shimmering bronze-like sheen. As these birds are good for meat production, so starting commercial Bronze turkey farming will be a profitable business if you can manage everything perfectly.

HOW TO START BRONZE TURKEY FARMING

1. PURCHASE OF BIRDS

Purchase very good quality, healthy and active birds for starting your Bronze turkey farming business. Purchasing good quality birds is very important, because good quality birds always ensure good production and maximum profits.

You can purchase either day old poults (preferably at lower rates) or mature birds depending on the price and availability in your area.

3. FEEDING (PROVISION AND CARE)

Feeding the birds with very good quality, healthy and nutritious food is the most important part of Bronze turkey farming business.

  1. The turkey birds generally require more protein in their diet than chickens. So, you have to ensure availability of adequate amount of protein in their diet.
  2. Adult bird’s food should contain at least 20 percent protein, and the starter feeds should contain at least 28 percent protein.
  3. Never feed your turkeys with contaminated feeds. And always try to provide them with enough clean and fresh drinking water as per their demand. Providing clean and fresh drinking water is very important.

2. TURKEY HOUSING

  1. Arranging a good housing facility for your birds is important for commercial Bronze turkey farming business. Because a good house not only helps the birds to stay healthy, but also helps them to stay safe from adverse weather conditions and wild predators.
  2. The Bronze turkey birds require a secure, comfortable and clean housing environment. So, you have to ensure all required facilities for your birds inside the house.
  3. You have to provide them with a good roosting area with a roof. And their roosting area must have to have good protection against predators.
  4. The Bronze turkey birds also require a place to dust bathe and a roosting place for flying up into at night. These birds are classed as a medium to large sized birds. So, each mature bird will require around or up to 10-12 square feet of housing space.

BRONZE TURKEY FREE RANGE FARMING

The Bronze turkeys are good for raising in both free range and confinement system. But raising them in free range system will be good. Because it will help you to reduce feeding costs, and at the same time the free range birds will produce much better quality products.

TURKEY BREEDING

Like many other domestic turkey breeds, the Bronze turkeys are also naturally very good breeders. They will breed easily and produce fertile eggs for hatching if you keep good ratio of hens and toms in your flock.
Generally one mature and healthy tom is enough for breeding around or up to 8-10 hens.

CARING TURKEYS FOR HEALTH

The Bronze turkeys are very strong, hardy and active birds. So they generally require less caring and other management. Although taking additional care will help the birds to grow better and produce more. Monitor your bird’s health on a regular basis for any signs of diseases or illness. And take necessary steps as soon as possible if you notice anything uncommon. Vaccinate them timely and always try to keep good contact with a vet in your area.

TURKEY MARKETING

Marketing turkey products is not a problem. Because turkey meat has very good demand and value in the market. So, you will probably be able to easily sell your products in the local market.