Facebook. In contact with. Travels. Training. Internet professions. Self-development
Site search

The name of the bird is similar to that of a turkey. Breeds of turkeys: characteristics and distinctive features. Food made of wood

Tree chickens, gokko, or kraks, biologically well differ from other representatives of the order of chickens in that they arrange nests in trees. These are large birds: their body length from the end of the beak to the end of the tail ranges from 20 cm in the smallest species to 40 cm in the large ones. The constitution of the Crux is dense, the legs are strong, the tail is long, stepped. On the head, many species have a well-developed crest. On the sides of the head, and sometimes only around the eyes, there are bare areas of skin of different colors.


Craxes- forest birds. They build their artless nests almost exclusively on trees, less often on large bushes and lay only 2, some species of 3 eggs in them. The eggs are large, white in color, their shells are rough, porous, only in eggs the penelope is smooth and shiny. Mainly female incubates for 22-29 days. Chicks hatch covered with down, develop extremely quickly and soon flutter out of the nests, passing to a terrestrial way of life.


Tree chickens feed mainly on fruits that are collected on trees. The largest species - gokko - often feed on the ground on insects, worms, and consume plant food. In case of alarm, tree chickens fly up the trees, they also spend the night in the trees.


The family includes 38 species, united in 11 genera, distributed in tropical and subtropical parts of America from Texas in the north to Argentina in the south.


The largest member of the family - big gokko(Crax rubra). It is similar in size to a turkey, although it weighs a little less. The plumage of males is black, only the belly and undertail are white. The base of the beak is yellow, at the base of the beak there is a fleshy outgrowth of yellow color. On the head is a crest of a large number of feathers bent at the end. Around the eye, a patch of bare skin of a dark color. The females of the great gokko are somewhat smaller than the males. They are brownish brown with a striped tail. Their head and neck are streaked with brown, off-white streaks. The crest on the head is less developed.



The Greater Gokko is fairly common in the forests of southern Mexico and more southerly as far as Ecuador. He, like other gokko, has excellent-tasting meat, somewhat reminiscent of turkey meat, but more tender. Gokko is easily tamed and, living peacefully with other inhabitants of the poultry yard, does not cause much trouble to the owners.


Crested gokko(S. alector) is a large bird, almost the size of a turkey. Like other relatives, its legs are strong, of moderate height and with rather long toes, the wings are short, the tail is long, well developed and rounded. The beak is with wax, on the head there is a large crest of semi-upright twisted feathers.


The color of the plumage of the male is shiny bluish-black with a purple tint on the upper side, and only the belly and ends of the tail feathers are white. The legs are red. The female differs from the male in white streaks on the crest, rusty-red belly and wings with yellow wavy stripes.


By way of life, the crested gokko is a tree bird, most of whose life it passes among tall trees. He moves along the branches slowly, but rather confidently. Often he descends to the ground, where he runs very quickly. It usually flies low, in a horizontal direction and for a short time.


The crested gokko is widespread in South America, in the rainforests of the Amazon basin.


In January, males begin to court females, and the mating season stretches for quite a long time. In March, nests appear, which are arranged high in the trees in the form of a flat covering of branches. In clutch there are two white eggs, larger than chicken eggs. Incubation lasts about a month. Unlike other ground-nesting chickens, hatched chicks do not leave the nest. Their parents feed them on worms, insects and other invertebrates. Chicks leave the nest after they learn to fly. From this time on, the brood begins to wander in the near and distant environs of the nest in search of mature fruits, on which it mainly passes on to feed.


The food of the crested gokko is mixed. He eats both plant food - fruits and seeds, and animals - worms, insects and other small animals.


The crested gokko has tasty meat, and the locals hunt for it intensively.


Penelope(Penelopa purpurascens) is a large bird, but smaller and slender than the gokko. The plumage of Penelope is not pure black, but with a brownish-olive tint, the belly is the same color as the rest of the plumage. A wide white stripe runs across the wing. The crest is white, and the feathers of the crest are narrow, almost hair-like. The sides of the head and chin are devoid of feathers, naked, dirty bluish color. The base of the beak is the same color. The projection at the base of the beak is small.


The Penelopes inhabit the forests of America from Mexico to Argentina. They arrange nests always high from the ground, at about 10 years old, and keep mainly on the tops of trees. Outside the nesting period, they keep in flocks, sometimes very significant.


The smallest tree chickens belong to the genus chachalak(Ortalis). They are quite slender, graceful birds with a long tail. There is no crest on the head. Their plumage is generally brownish-green, the throat is unfeathered, in many species the tail is red.


Chacha varnishes are less forest birds than their other relatives. They adhere to small forests, mainly their edges, and are often found in clearings. Nests are arranged low above the ground, sometimes almost close to it.

Animal life: in 6 volumes. - M .: Education. Edited by professors N.A. Gladkov, A.V. Mikheev. 1970 .

As the people say, "it is easier to prevent a disease than to cure it later." The same goes for our theme. At times, proper care, as well as the small costs required for disease prevention, can save the farmer from the subsequent high costs of treating the birds. It is worth noting that turkeys are quite susceptible to viruses and infections, especially if sanitary and hygienic standards are violated. That is why the main rule in the prevention of bird disease is to carry out sanitary measures.

Preventive measures:

  • High-quality fresh food - do not allow mold grains, acidic foods to enter the bird's diet.
  • The necessary treatment of the poultry house - special preparations against viruses or hydrated lime.
  • Good living conditions - clean bedding, no drafts, dryness of the room.
  • Cleanliness of drinking bowls and feeders.
  • Regular vaccinations and bird inspections.

Just the timely detection of diseases or the first symptoms of deteriorating health of birds helps in many cases to avoid their death and infection of other individuals.

Contagious diseases

These are all that can be transmitted from individual to individual or from other domestic birds. Most often they are called certain types infections or viruses.

Respiratory mycoplasmosis

In the cold season, under conditions of high humidity in the room, due to hypothermia or inadequate nutrition, turkeys may experience one of the forms of infectious rhinitis - respiratory mycoplasmosis. This disease is associated with a decrease in the immunity of birds, as well as a lack of vitamins A and B. The causative agent of the disease is mycoplasma, which belongs to an intermediate class between bacteria and viruses.

Symptoms

In sick birds, the mucous membrane of the eyes becomes inflamed, vision is impaired, and respiratory symptoms appear in the form of discharge from the nose and eyes. Sick individuals quickly lose weight, productivity decreases, and in some advanced cases they die. In young animals, the bacterium also infects the thoracic air sacs, which is manifested by impaired breathing and shortness of breath.

Treatment

Sick turkey poults are most often discarded to prevent the development of the disease in a severe chronic form. Adults are treated by introducing chlortetracycline or oxytetracycline into the diet at the rate of 400 grams per 1 ton of feed. Give 7-8 days. You can also use antibiotics such as chloramphenicol, erythromycin and streptomycin. Chicks are most often watered with Tilan water at the rate of 0.5 grams per 1 liter of water. As a preventive measure, keep the house clean, monitor proper nutrition birds, and regularly ventilate the room.

Tuberculosis

One of the most dangerous diseases of turkeys, as it affects not only the upper respiratory tract and lungs, but also others internal organs... The causative agent of the disease is the tubercle bacillus, which is one of the most dangerous viruses. Spreads through dirty water, dirty contaminated equipment, bedding and eggs.

Symptoms

One of the very first signs of the disease is a sharp deterioration in the health of the bird, appetite disappears, the turkey is apathetic, practically does not move. Diarrhea is observed, as well as nodular formations on the skin.

Treatment

As a rule, due to the rapid infection of internal organs, treatment of birds is impossible. In order to avoid further spread of the virus in the poultry house, the sick bird is destroyed, and the room itself is carefully treated. Although it is worth noting that the tubercle bacillus is practically not afraid of disinfectants. The best preventive measure is sunlight and fresh air. The room where the sick bird was kept should be left wide open for several months. Only diffused sunlight can destroy the tubercle bacillus.

Histomoniasis

This disease most often occurs in young or adult turkeys, which are placed in poorly treated and disinfected premises after keeping chickens or geese. The disease affects the internal organs of the digestive system, especially the liver. Inflammation of the cecum occurs.

Symptoms

The main manifestation of histomonosis is greenish frothy diarrhea. Also, sick birds become lethargic, feathers ruffle, the back is dirty, turkey poults lose weight and eat poorly.

Treatment

Birds should be treated immediately after the first signs are detected. The disease spreads quickly, so sick individuals should be deposited and the house should be well disinfected. For therapy, feed is used furazolidone or osarsol, which are added to the feed. Additionally, you should also deworm the turkeys using piperazine sulfate or phenothiazine. Prevention is about keeping the house clean and hygienic.

Worms

This is perhaps the most common infectious disease of all poultry. Turkeys are no exception. Most often, a bird becomes infected with worms through the soil, from other birds and animals, through food and water, through inventory. Worms are dangerous in that they quickly affect not only the digestive system, but also, for example, the respiratory system.

Symptoms

At the initial stage, the disease is almost asymptomatic. Then the birds lose weight, immunity decreases, and other viral diseases may arise on this basis.

Treatment

Since at the initial stage, the presence of worms in the body is practically not displayed in any way, therefore it is quite difficult to treat the disease. It is better to regularly carry out preventive maintenance in the form of sanitization of the poultry house. The detected disease can be treated with piperazine sulfate or phenothiazine.

Smallpox

Another fairly common disease of turkeys, which is transmitted from chickens through water or feeders, through direct contact with carriers of the virus. It can also be transmitted by flies, mosquitoes and mosquitoes, which are carriers of the infection.

Symptoms

A sick bird becomes lethargic, apathetic, stops eating and drinking, huddles in a secluded dark place, its wings are lowered, feathers are disheveled. Such signs appear in the early stages of the disease. Then spots appear on all parts of the body that are not covered with feathers (on the legs, head, corals), as well as on the mucous membrane.

Treatment

Smallpox is not treatable, the carcasses of the dead, as well as sick birds are destroyed and burned. The rest of the turkeys in the flock are vaccinated with special preparations - embryo vaccine. As a prophylaxis, timely vaccination is also used - no later than 6 weeks of age.

Non-communicable diseases

Non-communicable diseases are most often the result of improper care or nutrition of birds and, as a rule, affect individual individuals.

Hard goiter

Such an ailment occurs due to the overflow of the poultry goiter with various solid feeds, for example, grain. Often, hardened goiter can be the reason for the wrong diet, as well as the lack of shells, chalk and small gravel on the menu.

Symptoms

The bird sits in one place, does not eat, becomes lethargic and fluffy, when the goiter is felt, its hardening and inflammation can be traced. Also, the bird may have an inflammatory discharge from the goiter.

Treatment

No matter how strange it sounds, turkeys have a special goiter structure, when it hardens it is almost impossible to help the bird. Even long-term therapy does not bring results, since the bird most often dies from severe exhaustion. With inflammation and hardening of this part of the digestive system, they are slaughtered for meat.

Only such a type of ailment as a sagging goiter lends itself to treatment. This disease is the result of consuming too much a large number water, for example, in hot weather, or also due to improper nutrition. Typically, diet and rest will restore healthy birds.

Hypovitaminosis

Dirty water, improper living conditions, poor food can lead to the occurrence of an ailment such as hypovitaminosis. From the name it is clear that in the body of the bird there is a strong shortage of the whole complex or individual vitamins. It is especially common in chicks.

Symptoms

With hypovitaminosis in birds, inflammation of the eyes, nasal discharge, lacrimation, rickets are observed.

Treatment

Only timely prevention in the form of good nutrition, additional sources of vitamins, fortified supplements. If an illness occurs, the bird can be saved by injecting the necessary vitamins into it.

Pica

This ailment is also associated with incorrect and strange behavior, when the bird begins to literally eat everything it sees. She can eat litter, feathers, wood chips, peel off the bark of trees, and more. Of course, this leads to various digestive problems.

Symptoms

At the initial stage alone - the bird is hungry all the time and is in search of edible and inedible. In the later stages, hardening of the goiter, a violation of the intestinal microflora, diarrhea and other problems may develop.

Treatment

Prevention of a disease such as a perverse appetite consists in proper, good and balanced nutrition.

Video "Part of the seminar: Diagnosis of infectious diseases of turkeys"

The plot tells in great detail what ailments can occur in turkeys, which can be observed when the carcasses of sick individuals are opened. In addition, you will learn how to prevent the development of these ailments.

Turkey meat is tender, juicy, tasty. This is an extremely healthy dietary meat. Turkey meat is available fresh and frozen. Adults can weigh up to 35 kilograms, but they eat meat of young turkeys up to 16 weeks old, while the carcass weight reaches 10 kilograms.

The turkey thigh and drumstick are carried in red meat. Protein myoglobin, which contains oxygen in muscle tissues, is responsible for the color of the meat. The more myoglobin, the darker the meat. The amount of this protein depends on the load on the muscles, which is why the meat of the thigh and lower leg is red, since the load on the muscles is greater. Turkey breast and wings are white meat.

Turkey meat contains very little fat, in addition, it is low in cholesterol, only 74 milligrams per 100 grams of meat. Turkey meat contains amino acids necessary for our body, providing the body with energy. Phosphorus, which comes from turkey meat, is essential for the normal development of bones and teeth.

In modern poultry farming, turkey meat production ranks second after broiler chickens. The USA is the leader in turkey meat production. On average, every resident of the United States consumes 7 kilograms of turkey meat a year.

Turkey flavor

White turkey meat (breast, wings) has a delicate, slightly sweet taste, but slightly dry, since it contains almost no fat. Red meat (thigh, drumstick) is also tender in taste, but less dry.

Combining turkey with other foods

Turkey meat goes well with vegetables, cereals, pasta. Turkey meat goes well with mushrooms and liver.

The use of turkey in cooking

Sausages, sausages, dumplings are made from turkey meat. Turkey meat is used to make cutlets and pie fillings. In the UK, turkey is stuffed with chestnuts, mushrooms, and redcurrant and gooseberry jelly. In Italy, turkey is stuffed with oranges.

Features of cooking turkey

Turkey meat can be fried, stewed, boiled, baked, steamed.

Storing turkey

Fresh turkey should be refrigerated (not frozen) and cooked within 2 days. If the turkey has not been used for cooking for two days, then it must be frozen. Keep in mind that a home-frozen turkey can go bad faster than one frozen by a turkey meat manufacturer.

The shelf life of turkey frozen by the manufacturer is 1 year, subject to storage conditions. Defrosting and re-freezing are not allowed.

Traditional role in dishes

Turkey main course, broth base

Valid replacements

Turkey meat can be replaced with meat from other poultry: chicken, goose, duck, pheasant, even ostrich. Note that ostrich meat is also low in cholesterol.

History of the origin of turkey

The turkey came to us from North America. At the beginning of the first millennium AD, the Indians began to domesticate these large birds with beautiful iridescent plumage. These birds began to play an important role in the daily life and economy of the Indian tribes; the tender meat of these birds was their favorite dish. Newcomers from Europe christened these birds turkeys. Turkey meat has also become a favorite dish of settlers and a traditional Thanksgiving dish.

Several of these birds were brought to Europe, and by the beginning of the 16th century, turkeys were already grown in France, Italy, and England.

Influence on the human body, useful substances

Turkey meat is very low in cholesterol, only 74 mg per 100 grams. Due to the low content of insoluble fats, turkey meat is easily absorbed by the body, and the proteins of turkey meat are absorbed by 95%. Therefore, turkey meat gives a quick feeling of fullness.

Turkey meat, although low in calories, is very nutritious. Turkey meat is the record holder for iron content: 2.24 grams per 100 grams of meat, and the iron from turkey meat is very easily absorbed. In addition, this meat contains selenium, magnesium, potassium, vitamins: PP, B6, B12, B2. B, and phosphorus is the same as in fish.

Interesting facts about turkey

The record weight of a roasted turkey is 39.09 kilograms. This dish was prepared on December 12, 1989.

How many turkeys are eaten on Thanksgiving?

Nearly one turkey for every US resident is grown annually for Thanksgiving.

Wood chickens or craxes did not get their name by accident, the fact is that these birds, unlike other chickens, nest only on trees.

The sizes of birds range from 20 to 40 centimeters. The body is dense, the legs are strong, the head is decorated with a tuft of feathers.

The colored skin on the sides of the head and around the eyes is devoid of feathers. Birds live only in tropical forests. The Cracidae family consists of 11 genera, which include 38 species. They inhabit an area from Texas to Argentina. Birds hide in the dense crowns of trees, they deftly run along the branches, occasionally fly over. From the top of the trees, the birds glide with short, rounded wings spread and land on the lower branches. Such a top-down flight does not require much effort for the gokko. But in order to fly up, a tree hen has to make a lot of effort, it is easier to run up the branches and get to the top of the tree.

Craxes also nest on trees, in a clutch of 2-3 white eggs, covered with a porous coarse shell. Penelope's egg shells are smooth and shiny. Incubation lasts 22-30 days. Chicks are covered with dense down and are able to follow their parents by 3-4 days. They wander behind them, briskly moving from branch to branch. Adult birds feed chicks for several days and then lose interest in their offspring. At first, the entire brood keeps together, then together with other birds it unites in a flock of up to 20 individuals. During the breeding season, pairs are formed, after the appearance of the gokko chicks, they lead a schooling life.

Listen to the voice of gokko

Wood chickens feed on plant food, fruits, fruits, seeds. But the chicks are fed with worms, insects, larvae, which is probably why they grow quickly. Food is found in pova, raking the forest floor with strong feet. In case of danger, they hide in the dense crown of trees. Lodging places are also arranged on the branches. The most imposing of the tree chickens is the great gocco (Craх rubra). Its size corresponds to the name, this bird is the largest among tree chickens. He looks a bit like a turkey, although in the weight category he is inferior poultry.


The males are covered with black feathers, the undertail and belly are white. At the base of the yellow beak, there is a fleshy outgrowth also of a yellowish tint. The head is decorated with a tuft of curled feathers. The eyes are surrounded by dark, bare skin. Females are inferior to males in size. The color of the plumage is more modest, in brown - brown tones, the neck is covered with feathers with dirty white streaks.


A large gokko inhabits the tropical forests of southern Mexico, the border of the range extends to southern Ecuador. Gokko has tasty and tender meat, so the locals organize bird hunting. Tree chickens tolerate captivity well, get along with domestic animals. Their domestication does not pose much of a problem. Another species of the Krax family is interesting - the crested gokko (Craх elector). The bird is inferior in size to the large gokko. The dense body rests on strong legs and long toes. The wings are short and rounded. The tail is a great decoration, it is long and formed by beautifully curved feathers. On the head is a large twisted tuft formed by semi-erect feathers. The beak is waxy.


The male gokko is a real handsome man, the bluish-black feather cover casts a purple color, only the ends of the wings and the abdomen set off the white feathers. The legs are defiant red. The female is covered with rusty-red feathers, has white streaks on the crest, and the wings are trimmed with yellow wavy stripes. Like all kraks, the crested gokko lives in trees, moving along the branches. When he descends to the ground, he runs on it quite quickly. It flies low, usually in a horizontal direction, the flight is short.


The habitat is associated with rainforest the Amazon Basin. The mating season begins in January and lasts for a long time. The nest in the form of a flat structure of branches appears in March. The female lays 2 white eggs and incubates for a month. Chicks leave their home only when they learn to fly. Adult birds feed their offspring with insects, their larvae, and worms.

Matured chicks roam the trees with their parents. Gokko are not only herbivorous birds, they also eat small animals. Like all tree chickens, gokko are of interest as an object of hunting, which negatively affects the number of these birds.

Penelope is smaller than gokko, but has a slender body. Black plumage has an olive-brownish tint, wings with a wide white stripe. An interesting crest adorns the bird's head, the feathers in it look more like fluffy threads. The sides of the head, the base of the beak and the chin are dirty blue in color. The area of ​​distribution of the species stretches from Mexico to Argentina.

The smallest among the tree chickens are the chachalaks. The physique of birds is slender and graceful. The plumage is greenish-brown in color, the long tail is formed by red feathers. The crest is absent. Chachalaks live on the outskirts of forests, choosing small forest edges and glades for feeding. The nests are located at a low height from the ground. The number of some species of tree chickens is endangered. Eight types of gokko are listed in the International Red Book.


The red-billed crax is especially worrisome; according to unverified data, only about 200 individuals remain in nature. The population of these birds exists only in Brazil in the state of Espirito Santo. Blue-billed Crax - even more rare bird, its presence is noted in Colombia along the course of the Magdelena River. The population of the helmeted gokko also raises concerns of bird watchers. There is still a lot of unclear in the biology of these birds.

It is known that these birds are covered with black and white plumage and have a blue helmet-like outgrowth above the red beak. For a long time, the sharp-billed crax mitu was considered extinct. But in 1951, a small flock of 20 chickens was discovered in Brazil in the state of Alagoas. But reliable information about her does not exist at the present time. This species lives only in the zoo.

If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl + Enter.

They began to grow turkeys at home many years ago in the USA and Canada, and today this bird can be found in farms on different continents of the planet. Such popularity is due to the fact that turkeys are hardy, adapt well to local conditions, are unpretentious in food, grow rapidly and by the time of slaughter one can get up to 9-12 kg of high-quality meat from females and 20-25 kg from males. In some breeds, this figure reaches 30 kg.

There are many breeds of turkeys, and representatives of each variety have more than just external differences. The difference lies in the following criteria:

  • the weight of the individual and the amount of meat products obtained during slaughter;
  • egg production rate;
  • the intensity of growth and the set of the required mass.

In order to choose the right birds for breeding, it is necessary to study in detail the breeds of turkeys, photos and descriptions of individuals.

Bronze turkeys


Bronze turkeys are the most common.

These birds are named after the color of their plumage. ... The color of the males is brighter, there are black feathers on the neck of the individual, and burgundy stripes on the wings. Females do not look so colorful, their plumage is less diverse, and there is a white edging on the wings, chest and back.

The characteristic features of the breed are the following:

  • endurance and speed dial weight;
  • high egg production (up to 100 pieces per year);
  • male body weight - up to 18 kg;
  • female weight - up to 10 kg.

Bronze turkeys became the ancestors of a number of varieties bred by crossing with other breeds.

Bronze broad-breasted turkeys


Bronze broad-breasted turkeys are very active and noisy.

This breed is a descendant of bronze turkeys, as evidenced by the outward resemblance of birds. However, the size of the body in representatives of the broad-chested species is much larger than its predecessors.

In addition, the differences are in the following indicators:

  • the weight of the male is from 16 kg, and of the female - 9 kg (there is a case when the male of this breed weighed more than 30 kg);
  • low egg production (from 50 to 60 pieces per year);
  • poor adaptation to pasture grazing.

In view of these features, broad-breasted bronze turkeys are not bred in private farms, but are kept in industrial poultry houses.

North Caucasian bronze turkeys


North Caucasian bronze turkeys are unpretentious and gain weight well.

This bird species was bred in the USSR in the first half of the 20th century. Today, North Caucasian turkeys can be found in many farms in the territory of the former Soviet Union. When breeding this variety, broad-breasted bronze turkeys were used for crossing with local, smaller birds.

Distinctive features of the North Caucasian bronze breed are:

  • large body and bronze plumage;
  • low level of egg production (up to 70 pieces per year);
  • puberty age - from 8 to 9 months;
  • the weight of an adult of the light variety in males is 11 kg, in females - 6 kg;
  • a heavy variety of birds differs in body weight in males up to 18 kg, in females - 8 kg.

Birds of the North Caucasian breed are highly resistant to diseases and can exist in temperate and continental climates.

Moscow bronze turkeys


Moscow bronze turkeys have a wide chest and a massive head.

Another descendant of the bronze breed is the Moscow turkey. The color of individuals is not much different from the plumage of predecessors, and the characteristic features are:

  • large head and broad back;
  • well-developed, strong limbs;
  • pronounced curvature of the beak;
  • good egg production (up to 90 pieces per year);
  • the weight of the male reaches 19 kg, of the female -10 kg.

This breed of birds perfectly adapts even to the harsh climate conditions. They are unpretentious in food, it is better if the individuals are kept on a farm with pasture.

White broad-breasted turkeys


White broad-breasted turkeys grow rapidly and gain a lot of body weight.

This type of turkey was developed in the United States in the 20th century. Characteristic features breeds are the following features:

  • white plumage and scarlet growth on the beak;
  • large body size and wide convex chest;
  • slaughter weight up to 20 kg;
  • fast weight gain;
  • the possibility of keeping in cages.

It is noteworthy that with the same feed consumption per individual, when kept in cages, they gain body weight faster and this indicator is higher than in conditions of pasture walking.

North Caucasian white turkeys


Unpretentious and very large, North Caucasian turkeys grow on conventional feed.

This type of bird was bred by crossing bronze turkeys and white broad-chested individuals. The features of North Caucasian white broiler turkeys are:

  • large size and the ability to quickly gain weight (up to 20 kg);
  • increased egg production (up to 180 pieces per year);
  • adaptability to maintenance in pasture conditions.

The bird is perfect for growing at home and is able to develop normally and grow quickly, receiving the simplest feed.

Description of turkeys BIG-6


To grow turkeys BIG-6 you need a large pasture.

Bred by breeders in Britain and Canada and is distinguished by high productivity. These turkeys are actively grown in industrial scale Worldwide.

The external distinctive features of the bird are white plumage with a small black area in the chest area, a long neck and legs that are yellow.

Indicators of productivity in individuals are as follows:

  • the rate of weight gain surpassing many species of these birds (individuals reach a weight of 12 kg by the age of five months);
  • body weight at the time of slaughter - from 25 to 30 kg;
  • high quality meat.

In addition, hybrids are voracious and consume more feed than their counterparts.

Breed "Grade Maker"


The Grade Maker turkey breed is sensitive to temperature changes.

This variety was bred in order to increase the indicators of meat productivity of birds. Its distinctive qualities include:

  • rapid weight gain and readiness for slaughter at the age of 2-3 months;
  • high resistance to diseases common among other breeds;
  • unpretentiousness in food and conditions of detention;
  • the weight of an adult is more than 20 kg; birds reach this indicator already at the age of 5 months.

Thus, the breeding of this breed is considered profitable business with a quick return on investment.

It is important to know that for a comfortable existence, birds need a temperature in the keeping room from 22 to 24 degrees.

Turkeys cross "Universal"


Turkeys cross "Universal" are very voracious and grow rapidly.

This breed was bred by Russian breeders and is present in State Register. Distinctive features of the Universal turkeys are the following indicators:

  • white plumage and broad chest;
  • small feed costs per individual;
  • high survival rate of young animals (up to 98%);
  • average egg production (60–70 eggs per year);
  • male weight from 16 to 18 kg, female - from 9 to 10 kg.

This breed is unpretentious, does not require special care, and for this reason it is very popular with private poultry farmers and small farms.

Black Tikhoretskaya breed


Black Tikhoretskaya breed is distinguished by high egg production.

To obtain this variety, the breeders of the Krasnodar Territory had to do a long, painstaking work. When breeding new breed individuals of black suit were selected with high level productivity.

As a result of crossing, a black Tikhoretsk breed appeared, whose representatives have the following distinctive features:

  • mobility and quick adaptation of individuals to any living conditions;
  • the ability to keep birds both in cages and on pastures;
  • small percentage of mortality of young animals;
  • good egg production rates (up to 100 pieces per year);
  • the weight of an adult reaches 20 kg.

Today the bird of this breed can be found in the farms of the Transcaucasus and other regions of Russia.

Converter turkeys


The Converter breed is gaining popularity among amateurs.

This breed was developed in Canada from the white Dutch and bronze broad-chested turkeys. The purpose of creating a new variety was to increase the meat productivity of individuals. Today it is one of the most demanded breeds of turkeys.

The main feature of these birds is their unprecedented rapid growth and development. By the age of 5 months, males gain weight from 20 kg, and females about 11 kg.

Other benefits of the breed include:

  • high adaptability;
  • the rate of meat yield during slaughter - up to 85%;
  • high egg production from the age of 9 months.

It is noteworthy that birds of this breed are able to move very quickly and reach speeds of more than 40 km / h. For this they received the nickname "Indostrauses" among the people.

Every year they are becoming more and more popular among Russian farmers due to their unpretentiousness and rapid growth.

Turkey turkey breed


Turkeys of the Victoria breed reach impressive sizes by six months.

This variety of turkeys was also bred in Russia. Poultry have earned their popularity among farmers due to the following characteristics:

  • rapid development in the first months of life (by the age of four months, males weigh from 7 to 10 kg, and females - up to 6 kg);
  • high rates of live weight in males;
  • fertility and early maturity in females;
  • the body weight of an adult is from 20 to 25 kg in males and from 9 to 11 kg in females.

In addition to the listed advantages, individuals have the ability to adapt equally well both to growing in cages and to grazing conditions.

How to choose a breed of turkeys for breeding


Outbred turkeys are unpretentious, but gain weight worse.

It is sometimes difficult for a novice farmer who has decided to make a choice in favor of a particular type of bird. First of all, it is necessary to determine the purpose of breeding and choose breeds with appropriate indicators of meat productivity and egg production.

In addition, you need to adequately assess your own capabilities, namely the ability to create comfortable conditions for keeping young and adults. And it is also important to find a breed that will have good performance and do not require special care. Then the business will bring a good annual profit.

The video tells a story about broiler turkeys: