subject: Valuable Tips on How to Successfully Breed Turkey [print this page] Author: Andrew Grey Author: Andrew Grey
There are two ways on how to breed turkey. One: you let nature takes its course. Two: you give nature a hand, by introducing a few things to the birds. Naturally enough, these fowls already know how to breed turkey on their own since the birds have evolved into their present form. But if you are raising these birds as pets or for profit, then you might want to give the animals a bit of a helping hand. Here are a few things you ought to know if you are interested in ways on how to breed turkey. 1. Turkeys are flock creatures. These birds find comfort in staying close to other turkeys or birds that they think are in their flock. When nesting, the animals prefer community nests which increase their chances of laying more fertilized eggs. However, too many eggs in one location often result in egg breakage, and infestations of parasites and worms -- not to mention hens squabbling over nesting space. You might want to create one nest per 5 birds to keep both the laying hens and the eggs healthy. 2. Nests should be heated and made from organic material such as straw and rice hull. Lining it with sand often helps ward of parasites and worms. It is also important to remember that turkeys feel more secure under a thin veil of darkness. Therefore, providing the birds a low hanging ceiling and a semi-enclosed space encourages them to lay more eggs. 3. Turkeys reach sexual maturity once the hit their seventh month. Experts are recommending that the toms and hens should be mated immediately so that the first batch of eggs will all be fertilized. 4. To ensure that one hen reaches maximum egg-laying potential, the turkey must be molted soon after laying her first batch of eggs; in this regard, molting means giving the hen 90 days of rest from her egg brooding period. Afterwards, the turkey can be mated again to lay a second batch of fertilized eggs. Other hens would eventually take over her egg brooding duties in the community nests.About the Author:
