Turkey farming is a viable alternative to chicken farming in India. Moreover commercial turkey farming is becoming increasingly popular in the country. Turkeys can be used for commercial egg and meat production as well as can be kept as pets at home.
Turkeys produce a lot of meat, which is good for business. Like broiler chickens and pigs, they develop quicker and are ready for slaughter sooner. The weather and other conditions in India are ideal for turkey cultivation. You may increase production and profit from commercial turkey farming in India by providing correct care and management.
How to Begin Turkey Farming?
We'll walk you through the process of starting a turkey farming business in India.
- Breed Selection
Turkeys can be used to produce commercial meat. In India, the best breeds for farming include Beltsville, Bronze, Bourbon Red, Black and Slate, Narragansett, Small White and White Holland.
Board breasted white turkey breeds are among the above-mentioned breeds that are well-suited to India and other hot Asian nations.
- Housing Requirement
Good housing is essential for optimum turkey growth and management. Turkeys can be raised in both intensive and free range systems. Because turkeys are large poultry birds, cage rearing is not an option for them. The vast majority of farmers raise them in a deep litter system.
You can keep roughly 250 to 300 turkeys in one acre of fenced ground in a free range turkey farming method. In this system, you must provide 3-4 square feet of room per bird for nighttime shelter. You can raise turkeys in the same manner you raise chickens in a deep litter turkey farming method.
- Feeding the Birds
Proper growth and production are ensured by feeding healthy and nutritious food. As a result, it is critical to provide the turkey with a well-balanced and healthy diet. To gain one kilogram of body weight, turkeys require approximately 3.25 kilograms of feed. You can easily feed your turkeys poultry/chicken feeds found on the market.
However, you must supplement the poultry feed with additional protein. Along with offering a well-balanced and nutritious diet, make every effort to provide enough fresh and clean water to meet their needs.
- Care and Management
Better productivity may be ensured with proper care and administration. Domestic turkeys are similar to other domestic birds. They are also afflicted with a variety of illnesses and parasites.
Round worms and fowl mite are the most frequent parasites seen in turkeys. After a period of time, dip and deworm the birds to keep them healthy and help them grow.
Turkeys are also susceptible to a variety of fungal, bacterial, and viral illnesses. Fowl cholera, erysipelas, blue comb disease, coccidiosis, new castle disease, arizonosis, chronic respiratory disease, paratyphoid, turkey coryza, turkey venereal disease, and other diseases are harmful to turkeys. Birds can be kept healthy and disease-free with timely immunization and good care.
- Vaccination:
Vaccination starts with New Castle Disease- B1 Strain. Next to that on the 4th and 5th week, Fowl Pox vaccination is provided. On the 6th week, New Castle Disease- (R2B) vaccine is given and lastly on the 8th to 10th week, Cholera vaccine is provided.
- Bird Marketing:
In India, turkey farming and meat consumption are on the rise. Within 24 weeks of age, a male turkey becomes eligible for slaughtering with correct care and supervision.
They weigh roughly 10 to 15 kg at this age. Female turkeys take slightly longer and weigh slightly less than male turkeys. Your things can be sold practically everywhere. You have the option of selling at your local market or at one of the country's larger supermarkets.
- Bottom Line:
For both established and new farmers in India, commercial turkey farming may be a lucrative business. Before you begin, try to go to a farm (if one is available) and learn more about turkeys and how they are raised.
