The heavyweight Big 6 turkey is a relatively new breed, developed in 2008 through selective crossbreeding in the UK. Russian farmers have taken a liking to the bird; its high meat yield and low maintenance costs make raising it at home economically viable.
External description of a turkey
These large, heavy birds with tiny heads have luxurious, fluffy plumage, which is as valuable as their meat. When a turkey is angry, its down stands on end, resembling a white ball. The bird has sinewy, strong legs and sturdy wings, so clipping them is recommended. A distinctive feature of these birds is their neck, covered with red folds called corals. A leathery pouch hangs from the top of the bill; when excited, it can expand to 15 cm.
The bird has a rather aggressive nature and will not allow itself to be harmed, but it is better to keep it separately from chickens or ducks to avoid fights and injuries.
Characteristics of the Big 6 cross
A mature turkey hen weighs 25 kg, while females are much lighter, reaching 11 kg. Their meat yield is 80% of their body weight, which is why their breeding is so carefully considered. Turkey hens begin laying eggs at seven months, and over the course of a year they produce up to 100 eggs, each weighing approximately 80 g. The incubation period for the chicks is 26-28 days.
Besides:
- egg hatchability – 85%;
- slaughter yield – 70-75%;
- muscle mass – 80%.
To produce 1 kg of live meat, 2 kg of feed are required, and a turkey requires 250-350 g per day. The bird is slaughtered at 3-4 months, as it is not practical to keep it any longer, as growth stops.
Breeding Big 6 turkeys
ForbreedingTurkeys should be housed in a permanent, enclosed coop, with the temperature in winter maintained at 18-20 degrees Celsius. Young turkeys require a warmer environment. Turkeys do not tolerate temperature fluctuations well, so it's important to maintain a consistent climate throughout the year. Here are some tips to help you raise healthy turkeys at home:
- The presence of lamps and artificial lighting in the poultry house is essential; the longer the daylight hours, the better the hens' egg production. Installing an automated system will significantly simplify the poultry care process.
- The room must have sufficient feeders and waterers; otherwise, some birds will starve, which will negatively impact weight gain. This deficiency can also lead to fights among the birds, which will negatively impact their health.
- Turkeys need to have their feathers cleaned periodically to prevent parasites. This process is done using sand and ash, so the poultry house must have baths with these materials.
- It is necessary to maintain hygiene in the cages; for this purpose, the bedding made of sawdust or straw should be changed at least once every 3-4 days.
- To avoid dampness, we ventilate the barn even in winter.
- When calculating the dimensions of the room, you should proceed from the fact that 1 square meter of space is required for 2 individuals.
- The presence of thick, wooden perches is essential.
During warm weather, the birds are kept outdoors, and at night they are driven into the hen house.
Feeding and maintenance
Turkeys should be fed three times a day; overfeeding is dangerous, as they are genetically prone to obesity. Their diet should be balanced, including:
- At the initial stage, starter feeds are used, which allow for the production of healthy, young offspring.
- Then, gradually introduce grains, and in winter, add chopped vegetables. Fish oil and rowan berries are used as vitamins. Dry food can be topped with milk or kefir. Finely chopped onions can be added to stimulate appetite.
- Wheat and oat flour, as well as ground pine needles, will help you gain weight faster.
- Meat and bone meal is used to strengthen bones.
Keeping turkeys is quite expensive; in addition to feed, you'll also have to spend money on medication if the bird gets sick, but after selling the meat, all expenses will be recouped.
The manger should be spacious enough to allow the turkey to eat all her food at once. It should be washed before each meal to prevent infection.
How to prepare compound feed yourself
Buying a factory-produced product is unprofitable for a small farmer, so it's better to make it yourself. It should contain the following ingredients:
- Proteins help bird increase weight and height, a large amount of them is contained in cereals, beans, and legumes.
- Fat helps maintain the right body temperature.
- Carbohydrates are found in green grass and starch.
- Fiber is essential; its percentage should be 7-8% of the total mass of the feed.
- Minerals help tissue development and are found in meat and bone meal.
However, for proper preparation, it's essential to maintain the correct proportions of all ingredients, otherwise the results will be counterproductive. Here are several methods for preparing the food, with the proportions indicated per serving per day:
- grain – 250 g;
- wheat bran – 60 g;
- corn, millet – 80 g;
- carrots, pumpkin, beets – 80 g;
- boiled potatoes – 100 g;
- meat and fish scraps – 150 g;
- meat and bone meal – 10 g;
- salt – 2 g;
- shell – 10 g.
Other composition:
- millet – 70.5%;
- sunflower meal – 20.3%;
- crushed dry grass – 6%;
- feed yeast – 5%;
- fish meal – 4%;
- limestone – 4%;
- chalk – 3%;
- table salt – 0.5%.
Add chalk carefully; if you add the wrong amount, it will clump together and damage the bird's stomach. Replacing wheat with barley increases the risk of obesity.
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Growing Big 6 turkeys
Breeding this breed of turkey is easy if you follow the prescribed rules. Most often, this is done from eggs, as chicks are virtually impossible to buy. However, their hatchability is very high, reaching 85%, so the investment is worth it. Many farmers try hatching chicks from their own hens' eggs, but the resulting eggs may not be fertile.
There's no definitive answer to the question of when is the best time to place eggs in the incubator. It all depends on when the meat is needed. It's important to remember that birds reach their peak weight at 3-4 months.
Fertilization is checked with an ovoscope, the incubation process is the same as in chickensCaring for turkey poults at home, however, requires more patience. Chickens don't tolerate temperature fluctuations well until they're a week old; 32-35 degrees Celsius (90-95 degrees Fahrenheit) is ideal. It's best to have heat coming from below. During the second week, the temperature can be reduced to 27-29 degrees Celsius (80-82 degrees Fahrenheit).
High temperatures can cause heatstroke or growth retardation in chicks. The most difficult period is up to two months, after which you can put all fears aside; from now on, the chicks will only gain weight.
A turkey's greatest fear is humidity, so avoid insulating the floor with fabric, as it quickly absorbs moisture. Hay or dry grass is best, but it's best to avoid sawdust, as it gets very dirty. Furthermore, the chicks may peck at it, potentially introducing an infection into their stomach.
What you need to remember when choosing feeders and drinkers for chicks:
- They should be washed before each serving.
- It is necessary to install as many mangers as possible so that the turkeys do not crowd around them, otherwise some will become underfed and as a result will begin to lose weight.
- Choose wide waterers and secure them securely to prevent the chicks from splashing water on themselves. A wet chick can catch a cold and die, and even if saved, it will still grow poorly.
- It is strictly forbidden to use metal feeders, as the turkey chick may damage its beak.
They are gradually and systematically accustomed to such containers.
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Feeding rules
If you're using mash for feeding, make sure it's not too wet. To do this, squeeze it in your fist and release it. If a lump remains in your palm, there's too much water; if it disintegrates, the proportions are correct. Chicks will eat wet mash without effort, but wet porridge can clog their crops, potentially worsening their condition.
At the very beginning, turkey poults are given starter feed, and at 15-20 days, boiled eggs, greens, and fermented baked milk are added. The mash includes the following ingredients:
- corn;
- wheat grains;
- barley;
- meat and bone meal;
- green onions;
- nettle;
- garlic leaves;
- dandelion.
This composition ensures the good health of chicks, but disease prevention is still necessary.
From the first to the third day, add vitamin C to the chicks' diet by adding 2 g per 10 liters of water. From the sixth to the eleventh day, a course of antibiotics should be given, such as Tilan, mixed with 5 g of the medication per 10 liters of water. Repeat this procedure after a month. At one week of age, vitamin D3 should be added to the chicks' diet.
To boost the bird's immunity after taking antibiotics, we give the amino acid complex Chiktonik for 7 days at a dose of 1 ml per 2 liters of water, morning and evening.
Such procedures will allow you to raise strong and healthy birds.
Features of Big 6 meat turkeys
Breeders have been experimenting with creating a new breed that would surpass the Big 6, but so far, this hasn't been successful. Let's look at the advantages of this breed:
- Large mass, adult males reach 25 kg.
- With low costs for fattening, rapid weight gain.
- There are few bones, the meat yield from the whole carcass is 80%, of which 30% is the breast.
- Luxurious plumage, in demand in production.
- Over the entire period, the female lays about 100 eggs, which is not observed in other breeds.
- Meat is dietary and is easily digested by the human body.
Naturally, there are some drawbacks, but according to farmers who have been raising turkeys for a long time, the profit from selling the meat more than makes up for them:
- Birds love heat, so additional heating of the poultry house is necessary in winter.
- To keep it clean you will need a lot of sawdust and straw.
- Heavy males cannot fertilize a female, so this process must be carried out artificially.
- The pugnacious nature of birds forces them to be kept in families in individual cages.
Some people think raising turkeys is a laborious task, but it's essentially no different from raising chickens or ducks, and the meat yield is much greater. Details on the care and maintenance of these birds can be seen in the video.
Main diseases
The most dangerous and fatal disease, especially for young turkeys, is Newcastle disease. It is identified by the appearance of mucus in the crop and loose, gray-green stools. It is incurable and can only be prevented. To prevent this, turkey poults are vaccinated at 14 and 28 days of age.
Aspergillotoxicosis can occur due to poor nutrition or dirty and rotten bedding. Birds become lethargic, lose their appetite, and begin breathing rapidly. Death most often occurs suddenly and is accompanied by convulsions. At the first signs, replace the bedding and feed, and add dairy products to the diet.
Respiratory mycoplasmosis is rarely fatal, but it is best treated by a veterinarian. The main symptoms include coughing, wheezing, swollen eyes, and stunted growth.
Histomoniasis affects the liver and cecum of chicks and is accompanied by yellow-green diarrhea. The disease is caused by poor sanitation in the cage. Treatment is carried out by a veterinarian.