Backyard Turkey Farming In India, Breeds, and Feed

Introduction to Backyard Turkey Farming in India: Turkey farming is defined as the process of raising Turkeys for meat or egg production. It is suitable for small and marginal farmers in India. Turkey birds can be easily raised in the free-range system or under a semi-intensive system with less investment. Turkey birds are reared for meat purposes as their growth rate is higher. In this article we also covered the topics about backyard Turkey farming;

How much space does a Turkey bird need
What is the best thing to feed Turkey birds
What are the advantages of Turkey’s production
Is raising Turkeys profitable
How can I make Turkey grow faster
How long do Turkey birds take to grow
How do you raise Turkeys in the backyard
Basics of Keeping Turkeys

A Step-by-Step Guide to Backyard Turkey Farming In India, Turkey Breeds, and Feeds

In India, Turkey farming can be the best alternative to the poultry farming business. Climate conditions in India suit well for Turkey business and with good management, a farmer can make a good profit. Though Turkeys lay eggs, they are more popular for their meat than for egg production. Their popularity for meat production is because Turkey grows fast and is ready for the market within a very short time. Turkey meat is one of the leanest of all poultry species and it is consumed in every country across the globe.

Raising Turkeys in the backyard is somewhat like raising chickens. It requires a brooder space when they are young. Turkeys require a high-protein Turkey starter food for the first 6 weeks and it is not acceptable to substitute chicken starter food. The nutrient needs of the two are quite different because controlling the protozoa that mainly cause coccidiosis is different in each bird. Purchase them from a certified breeder and those sold at feed stores may be from a certified nursery or maybe not. Make sure to ask so you’ll start with a healthy Turkey bird. If you’re growing the Turkey bird for a holiday feast, check the time needed for maturity. Most breeds need 14 to 22 weeks to grow into a mature and edible stage.

For raising Turkeys in the backyard you need to find the type of Turkey breed you want to raise, then you need to prepare enough roaming space, provide shelter, and optimize the environment for their needs by providing lamps, bedding, and feeders. However not all areas permit Turkeys to be kept, or there are restrictions in place. And, always check with your local authorities ahead of time.

Benefits of Starting Turkey Farming

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Benefits of Turkey Farming (pic credit: pixabay)

Turkey farming has the following benefits;

Turkey farming grows very fast
It can be reared in the free-range system in the backyards
It is suitable for the upliftment of small and marginal farmers.
Turkey egg weighs about 1.3 times more than the chicken egg.
Better forager than the chickens
It is relatively more resistant to diseases than chickens.
Turkeys are provided shelter that protects them from inclement weather conditions, predators, and disease.
Turkey farms mainly provide clean, fresh water at all times.
Turkey farmers are federally banned from using growth hormones to make faster production.
Turkey meat is the preferred meat, particularly during Easter and Christmas celebrations. Its meat is known for its low fat and low cholesterol contents and hence, it fetches higher prices at the market.
Turkey meat is considered white meat and is preferred for its leanness and delicacies or flavor.
Turkey’s farming is a very profitable business. No one wants to start a Turkey business that will not generate profits that’s why Turkey’s farming business is a go-to agribusiness for beginners. You can seize this opportunity to learn about this business and then make awesome profits.
Turkey farming is a profitable business, and within a short period, it can give you a high return on your investment.
When you compare it to other livestock animals, you will find that growing Turkey birds is easier.
Caring for Turkey birds is easy, so if you are a beginner you can raise them easily. The process is just the same as raising other poultry birds such as chickens, ducks, etc. Therefore, if you already know how to raise chickens, then you probably have an idea that will help you in rearing turkeys.
If the backyard is available for raising Turkeys, then you can start this backyard Turkey farming business easily using that space.
Turkeys are cleaner than other poultry species. Turkey birds are great natural predators of bugs, insects, and other smaller wildlife. Therefore, if you have ant infestations, or you just want to limit the number of bugs you have in the backyard, your Turkeys will gobble them up.
Turkeys can be raised for their meat. You can control how the birds live their lives, how much they roam, and what they are fed.
Turkey birds are a great opportunity to care for and take responsibility. The birds can provide their owners with a great sense of purpose.

Turkey Breeds Raised in Backyard

For raising Turkeys in the backyard, it is very important to choose a breed variety that meets your particular needs. There are some Turkey breeds, but some breeds are easy to raise. About 6 to 12 birds must be sufficient for families who want to start raising backyard Turkeys.

Identify the Turkey Breed to Raise

Identifying the correct breed will be important for a successful business. Each one is different, so it is very important to research the different types what they are like, and what that will mean for you as an owner. Also, you will want to see what is available from breeders in your local area.

The most common breeds of Turkey that are raised in backyards can be given below;

Bourbon Red Turkey

The Bourbon Red Turkey breed was originally bred in Bourbon County, Kentucky. The average adult male will reach about 15 kilograms (33 pounds) in weight whereas the average adult female (a hen) will reach 8.2 kilograms (18 pounds) in weight. Usually, the breed’s feathers are a dark brown color, with white found in the tail and across their bodies. Usually, the tail and wings have chestnut coverts.

Bourbon Red is a great backyard Turkey. It is a rich, chestnut-red Turkey that has pure white wingtips and tail feathers.

Bronze Turkey

The Bronze Turkey bird is the most common and standard breed. This refers to its plumage, which consists of a bronze-colored finish. Though, the average adult male will reach about 11 kilograms (25 pounds) in weight whereas the average adult female (a hen) will reach 7.2 kilograms (16 pounds) in weight.

Broad-Breasted Whites

Broad-breasted whites cannot breed without artificial insemination because of shorter breast bones and larger breasts. These Turkey birds will weigh on average about 16 to 18 kilograms (30-40 pounds). If you are looking to own this breed, consider that they will not be able to reproduce without assistance. This can be good or not for you, depending on if you want to control or keep the flock size down. This Broad-Breasted White breed is more susceptible to joint issues and disease; due to how they have been bred and the size that they have since reached (mostly for the meat industry). This breed is not considered the most ideal to raise, but they are found and usually cheaper than the other breeds.

Housing Requirement for Raising Turkey in the Backyard

For raising Turkey in the backyard, good housing is required for proper growth and management. Turkeys can be raised in free-range and intensive systems. The design and construction of Turkey housing can be the same as the poultry shed design for chickens. A deep litter system is preferred as Turkey birds are big-sized poultry birds. For 1 acre of fenced/yarded land, about 200 to 300 Turkeys can be accommodated. Turkey requires spaces of about 3 to 4 sqft per bird during night times. Make sure there is enough clean water, space, and ventilation inside the housing, and must be protected from all types of predators.

The necessary equipment for raising Turkeys includes brooders, feeders, and waterers. Breeder birds need additional items, such as laying nests and egg-handling equipment. However, feeding and watering equipment must be designed to adequately service the birds with a minimum of spillage or waste. The amount of equipment required varies with the age and size of the Turkey birds. Sufficient feeder and water space should be provided to allow each bird equal access.

Features of Good Turkey Housing

The housing should be able to protect the Turkeys from all types of predators and harmful animals.
You should ensure that there is sufficient space inside the house. The space requirement will vary as the Turkey birds grow older.
Supply enough wooden litter material in the housing for raising Turkey birds.
Ventilation is very important in Turkey farming. Therefore, ensure that the birds have enough fresh air and light inside the house.
A good ventilation system is important for an intensive Turkey farming business.
Turkey housing should be clean at all times to ensure biosecurity.
If you are going to use fencing materials, then it is high and strong enough to protect the birds.

Because of their size, Turkeys will need more space than other poultry counterparts. Coop space recommendations in Turkey mainly depend on age;

0-8 weeks: 2-2.5 square feet
8-16 weeks: 3-4 square feet
16-20 weeks: 5-8 square feet
20 weeks to market weight: 6 to 10 square feet

Also, for raising a free-range Turkey flock you will need a considerable amount of outdoor space. For every 12 adult Turkey birds, it is recommended to have one-half acre.

Requirements for Raising Turkeys

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Backyard Turkey Birds (pic source: pixabay)

Once Turkey birds are old enough to live outside, you will need to provide them with a roosting area with a roof, protection from predators, and access to fresh pasture or range. The requirements for raising Turkeys include;

Protection from predators
Places to dust-bathe
Access to a range of grass
Enough space – 75 feet by 75 feet for up to 12 Turkey birds

Above all recommendations for roosting structures work well that will be harvested Turkey birds for meat at around 28 weeks of age.

Management Practices in Turkey Farming

Incubation

A fertile Turkey egg has an incubation period of about 28 days. The eggs can be incubated in 2 different ways which are;

Natural Incubation
Artificial Incubation

Natural Incubation – Normally, Turkeys can brood on their eggs and they can hatch between 10-15 fertile eggs. To achieve a higher hatchability rate, only clean, well-formed eggs must be set for incubation.

Artificial Incubation – Under this process of incubation, an incubator is used to hatch the eggs. The temperature level and relative humidity in the setter and hatcher can be given below;

Setter – 99.5°F temperature and 63% humidity
Hatcher – 99.5°F and 85-90% humidity

The eggs must be turned hourly every day and their collection should be done frequently to avoid breakage and soiling and to improve hatchability.

Tips to Start Backyard Turkey Farming for Beginners

The process of starting your backyard Turkey farming is really simple. The step-by-step process of backyard Turkey farming can be given below;

Learn how to run a Turkey farm

By knowing exactly how to manage the Turkey birds you can start a Turkey farming business. You don’t go to the market and buy any quantity of Turkey for breeding. Therefore, to become successful, you must learn from an expert. You want to glean from their experience so that you will not make the mistakes they made. Growers can charge you for the training and you can apply to work on their Turkey farm as an intern. By doing this, you will have the requisite knowledge to build your own Turkey farm business.

Proper market research for Turkey’s demand

The next thing is to do a market survey to know where to raise your Turkey farm business. Market research is important because it will give you insight into whether there is demand for Turkey products in that area. Also, it will help you to ascertain the cost of delivery and how much you must price your Turkey products. You can sell either the eggs or raise Turkeys to maturity and then sell them as meat.

Buy some Turkey farming equipment

If you set up Turkey housing, it’s time to furnish it with all the necessary equipment for Turkey farming. Feeders, waterers, nests, and waste disposal systems are the equipment for the Turkey farming business. All this equipment is essential for the smooth running of your Turkey farming business.

Brooding equipment for raising backyard Turkeys

Brooding young Turkey poults is the enjoyable and important phase of raising Turkey birds. The young poults grow rapidly beneath a warm brooder in a confined area during this period. A brooder is a heating unit that provides the warmth necessary to help the birds maintain their body temperature until it is old enough. Brooders can be gas or electric.

Several types can be purchased from commercial companies, agriculture supply companies, or feed- or farm stores. One of the important factors in brooding is to start with good-quality poults. Turkey’s birds have been improved through careful breeding. If you start with good-quality poults and then provide adequate housing, feed, and water. Though, to be successful you should adopt a sound management philosophy that takes into account the necessity of providing necessary nutrition and using disease-control programs. Careful, vigilant management is key.

For raising backyard Turkeys, brooding equipment is much the same as that used for chickens. However, if you use any chicken equipment for your Turkeys, be sure to disinfect it by cleaning it thoroughly with hot, soapy water and a stiff brush. In such cases, brooding facilities in a battery must be provided for about 10 days. If no battery is available, a box about 20 inches by 24 inches by 15 inches high with a 100-watt light bulb inside will work.

It is important how to raise Turkey poults is teaching them to eat. One method to get the Turkey poults to eat is to sprinkle chick scratch on top of the ground turkey starter mash. When raising backyard Turkeys, the secret is to keep the Turkey birds in cages raised off the ground, on sunporches.

Provide Shelter and Necessities

Turkeys are ideal targets for predatory animals like foxes, coyotes, and other large birds of prey. Also, the eggs in which they lay are targeted by other smaller predators including the likes of raccoons and sometimes snakes.

Ensuring that you have sufficient, guarded shelter is going to be important. It is important to consider the weather conditions for raising Turkeys. Providing shelter is very important for these reasons too. Turkey bird owners provide a sealed building that is with no open windows or areas of access. The floor is easily cleaned which makes clearing out muck much easier.

Providing a concealed shelter for Turkey birds will help you to manage the environment more effectively. Keeping Turkeys warm in the winter season and preventing heatstroke in the summer season.

Feeding Management of Backyard Turkey Farming

The methods of feeding for Turkey birds are mash feeding and pellet feeding.
Feed must be given in feeders and not on the ground. Whenever a change is made from one diet to another it must be carried out gradually.
Turkey birds require a clean water supply at all times.
Turkey birds provide more water during the summer season.
Feed Turkey birds during the cooler parts of the day during the summer season.
Turkey chicks are referred to as “Poults” and have to be given special care because they do not start eating as soon as they are left under the brooder.
To maximize proper growth, a nutritious and well-balanced feed is essential for Turkey birds. Usually, they need about 3 to 3.5 kg of feed to gain 1 kg of body weight. It is essential to add an extra amount of protein food along with the feed. Remember that changing the water frequently will ensure a healthy and less diseased environment.
For Turkey birds, feeding healthy and nutritious food ensures proper growth and maximizes production. So, it is important to feed Turkey well-balanced and nutritious food.
You can easily feed your Turkeys that are available on the market.

Feed and Water Tips for Raising Backyard Turkey

Make sure you know where to get feed and water for Turkey poults.
Also, the waters are not big enough to where the Turkeys could fall in because they then have a possibility of drowning or becoming too cold from being wet. Also, it helps keep the litter dry and thus, easier litter management.
Turkeys can be fed by using pelleted feeds or mash. They require more energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins than chickens. For best performance, male Turkeys are raised separately from the female.
Feed must be provided in feeding troughs and not on the bare floor. Don’t change your diet immediately but gradually and provide them with constant clean water always.
To avoid leg weakness, provide your Turkeys with shell grit of about 20-40 grams/day.
When the weather condition is hot, give them more water to drink.
Feed when the weather condition is cool and avoid feeding when the weather is hot.

Disease Care and Management in Backyard Turkey Farming

Proper care and disease control are required in the Turkey farming business for better growth and production. Turkey birds are like other domestic birds and can suffer from diseases sometimes. The most common parasites found in Turkey birds are fowl mites and roundworms. De-worming and dipping the birds must be carried out to keep them healthy. Turkey birds get affected by various types of bacterial, fungal, bacterial, or viral infections. Some of the main diseases in backyard Turkey farming are coccidiosis, blue comb disease, erysipelas, fowl cholera, erysipelas, new castle disease, chronic respiratory disease, Turkey coryza, paratyphoid, and Turkey venereal disease.

Turkey birds affected with Blackhead will be droopy and the droppings will be yellow. One of the important remedies used by commercial growers is phenothiazine. Make sure to follow some disease-preventing tips when you’re raising backyard Turkeys, such as having a raised sunporch, which is a more acceptable control measure for organic homesteaders.

Proper care can ensure better Turkey’s growth. Turkey birds are like other domestic birds. Also, they suffer from various types of diseases and parasites. The most common parasites of Turkey birds are roundworms and fowl mites. Turkey birds are affected by various types of fungal, bacterial, or viral diseases. For raising Turkey birds, fowl cholera, erysipelas, new castle disease, chronic respiratory disease, paratyphoid, Turkey coryza, and Turkey venereal disease, etc., are harmful diseases. Timely vaccination and proper care are important to keep the Turkey birds healthy and free from diseases.

Conclusion

If you live in India and plan to start Backyard Turkey farming, this article might be useful for setting up your Backyard Turkey farm