Grade maker turkeys: breed description and characteristics, breeding

Grade maker turkeys are a meat cross that combines the best characteristics of poultry. This breed is considered one of the most popular - it is often grown in small farms. To get high performance parameters, it is important to follow basic bird care recommendations. Equally important is a balanced diet and the prevention of pathologies.

Appearance and characteristics of turkeys grade maker

Great marker turkey is a hybrid cross that belongs to medium-heavy varieties.It is characterized by a massive body, which is covered with fluffy white feathers. Birds have a flat and wide chest. They are characterized by a long curved beak of a yellowish tint. In males, it is decorated with red stripes.

The head is small. It has a pink or reddish tint. The earrings are long and red. In some individuals, the face near the eyes has a blue color. Birds are characterized by rapid growth rates. By 4 months, males reach 19-20 kilograms, and turkeys - 9-11.

During the reproductive period, females lay 80-100 eggs. On average, they produce 12 eggs per month. Their weight is 85 grams. The output parameters are at the level of 87%.

Good and bad sides

Pros and consgood development and rapid weight gain - while intensive growing technologies are not required;excellent taste and useful qualities of meat;good appearance of carcasses;strong immunity and excellent resistance to pathologies;unpretentiousness in nutrition;high resistance to stress factors;fast payback.

The main disadvantage is the high sensitivity of the cross to temperature fluctuations. Turkeys fully develop only in warmth.

Subtleties of maintenance and care

Since the birds of this breed are considered to be very thermophilic, they need to provide a dry and warm room. It is important to ensure adequate lighting levels. However, there should be no windows in the house. The organization of the place for cleaning is also important.

To prevent the turkeys from encountering parasites, it is recommended to install a box filled with sand and ash in the house.

Turkeys prefer to sleep on perches. They are distinguished by a high body weight, so the timber should be quite thick. Each bird should have at least 40 centimeters of space. The height of the perch must reach 80 centimeters, and the width between places must be at least 60.

To avoid becoming overweight, birds need long walks. Their duration should be at least 1 hour. Therefore, birds should equip a site for walking. It is certainly recommended to protect it with a fence, as representatives of the breed are able to fly high. It is also permissible to trim the wings of young birds.

Turkeys of this breed are characterized by a very quarrelsome character. During fights, they are able to severely cripple each other. Therefore, in one place it is permissible to keep a maximum of 5 turkeys and 40 turkeys. For high egg production, it is required to equip the birds with a place.The height of the nest should reach 15 centimeters, in width - 60. These sizes are suitable for 4-6 turkeys. Mother hens are very caring. They are able to take care of many chicks.

Meeting plan

Feed turkeys of this breed should be quite plentiful. At the same time, they need to be fed 3 times a day. During the period of mating games, the frequency of feeding is increased up to 5 times a day. Sometimes ready-made types of food or homemade mixtures are used for this. They should be chosen taking into account the age category and time of year. Equally important is the availability of constant access to clean water. In winter and summer, vitamins should be added to food. To do this, use fresh herbs or hay. Chicks require a more complex diet. During the first month, they should be fed up to 8 times a day. At the same time, age affects the diet:

1. From day 1 to day 6, turkeys are given crushed boiled eggs. They should be used in combination with wheat groats.
2. On the 7th-21st day it is permissible to start giving cottage cheese, fish, cake.
3. From day 20, you can add other cereals - millet and corn.
4. At the 5th week of life, you can give the birds fresh grass. Cabbage, clover, alfalfa are suitable for this.

Adult turkeys need grain. It can be dry and sprouted. So that the birds do not experience a deficiency of vitamins and minerals, a combination of different types of cereals is required. In summer, fresh herbs are introduced into food. Food should be constantly changed to avoid stagnation of old food in the feeders.

The variety of food is selected according to the time of day. In the morning and afternoon, turkeys should be given wet mash. In the evening it is better to use dry food.

Breeding

Turkeys lay their first eggs at 9 months. During the reproductive period, they produce 100 eggs. Females bring large eggs weighing 80-85 grams. The hatchability parameters are considered quite high and amount to 87%. Eggs are mainly used for breeding. They can be left for incubation of females. However, it is better to immediately put in the incubator. All the necessary conditions for breeding chicks have been created there.

Frequent bird diseases

For birds of this breed is characterized by good immunity. However, birds do not tolerate exposure to drafts. Turkeys are resistant to most infections. At the same time, it is important to be vaccinated against such pathologies:

• chicken coccidiosis;
• rhinotracheitis;
• atypical distemper.

Vaccination should be carried out exclusively by a veterinarian, and only he althy birds are recommended to be vaccinated. If there are symptoms of pathologies, it is better to refuse the procedure.After vaccination, birds need to be isolated for a while. Grade maker turkeys are considered popular birds that are highly productive. In order for birds to grow and develop quickly, they need comprehensive care.

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