Turkeys of the steppe breed: description and characteristics, diet and breeding

Few people know about steppe turkeys - such birds are considered a rather rare species, and only recently began to be bred on an industrial scale on large farms. Turkeys of the steppe breed are distinguished by passivity, unpretentiousness, resistance to external and internal stimuli, as well as relatively low productivity. Turkeys have a bright appearance - snow-white feathers and bright red beards, therefore they are often grown for decorative purposes.

Description and characteristics of the steppe rock

The steppe breed of turkeys used to be common in the south. The body is strong, muscular, set horizontally. The plumage is white, small blotches of other shades are allowed. Turkeys are not too tall, with strong, but sometimes crooked legs.

Due to natural selection during the breeding process, the breeds have an increased resistance to typical diseases of turkeys. They easily adapt to any conditions of detention, are not demanding on the quality of food and water. The growths on the head are a rich red color. Steppe turkeys are not considered a separate registered breed, so their appearance may vary depending on the farm and the preferences of the owner.

Pros and cons

Farmers in the southern regions of the country love the breed for its unpretentiousness in food and maintenance, sufficient endurance and the almost complete absence of congenital genetic pathologies, due to which chicks have to be culled. However, due to closely related crossing and the almost complete absence of a single breeding plan, representatives of the steppe turkeys are very different from each other.

This is a local breed in which improvement is carried out exclusively by the farmers themselves, without a clear breeding plan, so individuals vary greatly from each other, both in appearance and in productivity.

Subtleties of maintenance and care

Birds should be kept in a dry and clean house. The litter should be covered with a sufficient layer, otherwise corns form on the legs of the birds, which gradually crack, infection can enter through the wounds. Cleaning of the premises is carried out at least once a day, and ideally - 2 times. The optimum temperature for keeping adult birds is 13-15 degrees in winter. The breed tolerates cold well, but young animals may not withstand too intense frosts.

In the poultry house, carefully caulk the walls and check the room for drafts that lead to the death of young animals. Adult turkeys can be fed 2 or 3 times a day, but water should always be freely available.

Birds are not allowed to crowd in a limited area - turkeys start to fight and can cause serious damage to each other. The optimal number of heads per 10 sq. meters - 3-4.

Diet

Turkey chicks can eat solid food from the first days of life and need regular feeding. Ideally, newborn chicks should have free access to food. You can not feed the young animals food of animal origin, waste from the table. For top dressing, special feed is sold for turkey chicks, and its amount is calculated depending on the planned weight gain.

Breeding

Breeding the steppe breed of turkeys is not particularly difficult. The duration of daylight hours positively affects the egg production of laying hens - at least 15 hours a day. Chicks up to one month are kept in a room with a temperature of at least 32 degrees Celsius.Two-month-old young animals are allowed to be kept in rooms with 20 degrees, and gradually lower the temperature. Dampness, draft and cold have a detrimental effect on the chicks, so the house is carefully examined before settling.

Bloods must not be mixed with the general herd. Chicks do not need too much space - 1 sq. m per head for walks up to 2 months - ample space.

The ideal first food for young animals is hard-boiled eggs. From the first days, millet and chopped corn can also be added to the diet. After a week of age, green onions, dandelions, clover are added.

Diseases

Usually it is possible to avoid typical diseases of young and adult birds due to the innate strong immunity and endurance of the steppe breed. However, it is recommended to drink vitamin complexes to young animals and carry out preventive vaccinations on time. Due to violations of the conditions of detention, pathologies in the development of young animals may appear, most often rickets.It is necessary to provide young chicks with enough green food and walking.