Moscow bronze breed of turkeys: description, breeding and care

Among the breeds of turkeys adapted for cultivation in farms in the temperate zone, subspecies bred in Russian centers deserve attention. The Moscow bronze belongs to such a breed of turkeys, it is distinguished by its unpretentiousness and rapid adaptation to the conditions of detention. Birds are usually raised for meat, but egg production rates allow for 80 to 100 eggs per season.

Description of the breed and characteristics

The turkey has a developed, dense oval-shaped body with a massive protruding chest. The neck is elongated, the head is large with a pronouncedly curved light pink beak. Legs are strong, developed.

Belonging to the bronze breed gives out a motley black plumage with a characteristic shade of bronze. Stripes of brown feathers with black and white edging are visible on the tail and wings. The weight of a one-year-old turkey is, on average, 12 kilograms, turkeys - 7 kilograms. Upon reaching full maturity, body weight increases by another 3 kilograms.

Females start laying eggs at 8 months. 90% of the eggs are fertilized, and the survival rate of the offspring is, on average, 80%. At the age of 5 months, turkey poults weigh from 4 to 6 kilograms.

Pros and cons of Moscow bronze turkeys

The Moscow bronze turkey has a number of advantages due to which the subspecies is of interest to farmers and breeders, and disadvantages that limit mass breeding.

Pros and consunpretentiousness in nutrition and maintenance;endurance, adaptability to adverse climatic conditions;fast growth;high quality meat;fertility;good survival of young animals;the possibility of closed and grazing content.unattractive presentation of meat (bronze turkeys have dark skin, and dark stumps remain after plucking feathers);sensitivity of chicks to high humidity and low temperatures.

The dark shade of the carcass has imposed a restriction on the breeding of poultry on an industrial scale.

Conditions, feeding and care

The house for bronze turkeys should be warm and dry. The building can be stone or frame, in the latter case, additional heating will be required. Straw bedding is placed on a concrete or wooden floor base, perches are built at the rate of 40 centimeters per 1 head, nests are located in places that the birds themselves choose.

The basis of the diet is:

grass;
grain;
vegetables.

Birds prepare mash, offer brooms of grass or nettles. Females during the laying of eggs are additionally given cottage cheese. Adult turkeys are hardy, unlike young ones, which are sensitive to cold and dampness. In the first days of life, turkeys learn to peck. Chicks are given a crushed boiled egg, grains, grass, vegetables are gradually introduced.

The optimal solution for feeding a bronze turkey will be ready-made feed mixtures enriched with nutrients and vitamins. Birds should have constant access to fresh water.

Breeding

Turkeys of the Moscow Bronze breed willingly incubate offspring, including eggs of other breeds, and take care of the brood. A mother hen can be a female aged 1 to 4 years. 15-18 eggs are laid under one hen, from which 75-80% of turkeys are usually hatched.

You can increase the rate by using an incubator with pre-calibration of fresh material for bookmarking. It is desirable that the heating element in the device is located at the top.

Diseases and prevention

Inadequate care can cause infectious and viral diseases. Prevention measures include:

control over the conditions of keeping turkeys (maintaining temperature and humidity, timely cleaning of the house, processing feeders and drinkers);
balanced diet;
Stay on schedule for vaccinations and veterinary checkups.

With improper care, turkeys are prone to fungal and parasitic diseases. Improper feeding can cause digestive disorders.