Turkey production is a profitable agribusiness that is now attracting the interest of farmers, agropreneurs and investors due to success stories of some turkey raisers. Government effort at curtailing or stopping importation of frozen foods has further boosted local production in Nigeria. Turkey is a fast growing bird like broiler chicken hence they are often raised for meat rather than egg production. The demand for turkey meat is not only in December but all year round due to its meat quality, quantity and flavourful taste. Turkey farming is rated number one (1) agribusiness opportunities for livestock sector. The turkey meat is a premium meat being sought after in hotels, big events/occasions, restaurants/eateries and big cities. The risk involved in turkey farming is less compared to broiler farming. Turkey management is not totally different from other poultry birds’ management. A matured local turkey can be sold for at least To start with, it is important to determine the target market (potential customers) for your turkey products (Poults, Live Turkey, Processed Turkey or Grilled Turkey) which is part of good business planning. Note that production is not the first thing in agribusiness but a viable business plan which can then translate into viable agribusiness. Turkey needs good housing with proper ventilation like chicken birds. Deep litter system is mostly used to raise commercial turkey; semi-intensive system which allows grazing is also good for turkey production but should be in a fenced environment. It has been shown that turkey that is allowed to graze or fed with pasture supplement produce more tasty meat. It is important to note that turkey require more protein feed than any other poultry birds in early weeks (from 1-6 weeks). Turkey vaccination programme should be followed accordingly, note that Fowl pox vaccine is very important for turkey.
Basically, there are three major breeds of turkey and they are; Local Turkey, Foreign Turkey and Hybrid Turkey (Crossbreed). They are all good for commercial production however; the foreign turkey has the greatest ability to convert less feed to more meat in short time (short maturity period) that does not mean they don’t consume much feed in fact they are very voracious. Local turkeys are more hardy than foreign turkeys and even good grazer, in fact they like water leaf and pawpaw. Despite the fact that turkey share same management characteristics with chicken, they require proper care especially during brooding because of their fragility and early days sight problem. Male turkey is called Tom, female turkey is Hen while day old turkey is called Poult. Breed selection, source, vaccination and good feeding are critical to turkey business success.
If you want to get less mortality in turkey brooding, serve them milk the first day, this has not gone through empirical study but it works for me. Add some chicks that will allow them eat fast” – Ameachi John, a poultry farmer in Port-harcourt.
Another poultry farmer by name Emelone confirmed that chick addition helps poult eat faster.
Femi said.
I serve them Glucose D by mixing it with 3 litres of water and provides a very strong lightening. I also mix them with chicks
According to Mrs. Oni Helen, CEO, Blessed Farms,
I always raise turkey with cockerel because they are very smart, they will be the one to guide the cockerel. If you are raising local turkey, five (5) hens with one (1) tom is a complete family for multiplication.Never have two (2) tom with hen, it’s going to be a serious fight between the toms. If well handled, at maturity within one year the five (5) hens can become 100 or more. One hen can lay up to 15 eggs and hatch it. Collect the poults and raise them, then isolate the mother and feed her very well, after four (4) weeks introduce her to male again and she starts off again.
If you are thinking of setting up turkey farm, the right time is now and do explore more.
Leave your comment or inquiry below!!!!
Very interesting business
Raising turkey is highly motivational.
They make brooding more interesting and encouraging profitably. Mixing turkey with chicks is a best practice.
Bro….this is an excellent write up. I really find it educating. Thanks
You are welcome
Good evening sir,, I appreciate ur write-up, its quite educating,, but I have already started this turkey farming but due to some factors I want to sell them but couldn’t find buyers for them.
I don’t know if you can be of help in the aspect of buyers
Thanks for the compliment. Kindly contact NAF Admin to join Nigeria Agropreneurs Forum (NAF) on whatsapp +2347066515451
I don’t know why my turkey is not eating very well
This is an excellent write up…..keep it up bro. The sky is your beginning. I’ll contact you for more knowledge on this topic. Thanks
No problem sir..
Thank you very much for this beautiful piece.I discovered that Turkeys like perching on something especially when it is time to roost.How can one help them as regards that in their confined environment? Thanks for your quick response.
Please I need your contact.
Check contact button
I stay in Ibadan I’m already rearing a tom n a hen which is presenty laying eggs but can link me with a market in Ibadan?
Thanks sir for the lecture please sir can a local hen be cross with foreign tom
This is impressive. Welldone
Thanks
Please keep me posted
Please my hen stopped lay how long will it take it to start again
Appreciate to you for that information
My Turkey lays over 30 eggs after mating and still not brooding. What is wrong and what can be done to make her sit on them
Thank you very much sir, I really appreciate.
Welcome