Royal Palm turkey farming is very popular, because it is a very common and popular breed of domestic turkey. It is one of the few turkey breeds which is not primarily raised for meat production purpose. Rather, it is raised mainly for exhibition or ornamental purposes.
The Royal Palm turkey breed was originated from United Kingdom. And it is well known as an ornamental breed with an unique appearance. Actually, Royal Palm turkey farming is very popular among the hobby farmers, or the breed is raised in small farms.
The Royal Palm turkey breed has been in the United States since the 1920s in Florida. Probably these birds were bred from European turkey breeds (because of the similar characteristics among the Crollwitzer, English Pied and Ronquieres).
The palm color pattern is available in all these 3 breeds. And the Royal Palm’s color was not standardized till the 1920s. It was recognized by the American Poultry Association in the year of 1971.
Today, the Royal Palm turkey breed is listed as ‘Threatened’ in the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List. And it is considered as endangered globally. Although, total numbers of the Royal Palm turkey breed are increasing gradually.
However, Royal Palm turkey farming is very easy. And you can make good profit from commercial Royal Palm turkey farming business if you can easily market exhibition or ornamental turkey birds in your area.
How to Start Royal Palm Turkey Farming
Starting commercial Royal Palm turkey farming business is very easy and simple. They are relatively strong and hardy birds like many other domestic turkey breeds.
Here we are trying to describe more information about starting and operating a successful Royal Palm turkey farming business from purchasing birds to caring and marketing.
Purchase Birds
First of all, you have to purchase very good quality, healthy and disease free birds for starting your Royal Palm turkey farming business. Purchasing very good quality and healthy birds is very important. Because good quality birds ensure good production and maximum profits.
You can purchase either day old poults or mature birds depending on the price and availability in your area. The day old poults are generally much cheaper, while the mature birds are costly. So we recommend starting with day old poults.
You can purchase the poults from any of your nearest poultry breeding centers, turkey poults suppliers or any existing Royal Palm turkey farms. Just ensure that the chicks/poults are strong, active and hardy enough. You can also consider searching your local online classified websites.
Housing
Arranging a good, comfortable and secure housing system for your birds is important. Because good housing system not only helps the birds to stay healthy, but also helps them to stay free from wild predators and adverse weather conditions.
Like many other domestic turkey breeds, the Royal Palm turkey also require a comfortable and clean housing environment. So, you have to ensure all required facilities inside the house for your birds.
You will need to provide the birds with a good roosting area with a roof. And the roosting area must have to have good protection against predators.
Allowing your birds to access fresh pasture will be good. Because the Royal Palm turkeys generally do very well in free range system. They also require a place to dust bathe and a roosting place for flying up into at night.
Generally, a mature Royal Palm turkey bird will require around or up to 10-15 square feet of housing space.
Feeding
Feeding the birds with very good quality and nutritious food is the most important part of Royal Palm turkey farming business. Because good foods not only help the birds to stay healthy, but also help them to grow better and produce more.
You can freed your birds either with commercial poultry feeds, or you can choose the commercial turkey feeds, depending on the availability in your area. Turkey birds generally require more protein enriched food than the chickens. So ensure adequate amount of protein in their diet.
Generally, the starter feeds of the poults should contain at least 28% protein, and the adult bird’s food should contain at least 20% protein. You can use gamebird starter or chick starter for feeding your poults for the first 6 weeks. And then switch to a grower after 6 weeks.
Never feed your birds with contaminated feeds. And always try to provide them with enough clean and fresh drinking water as per their demand.
The Royal Palm turkeys are good for raising in both confinement and free range system. But they generally do very well in free range system. And Royal Palm turkey farming in free range system will help you to reduce feeding costs, and at the same time it will help to produce better quality products and also to keep your birds healthy.
Breeding
Like many other domestic turkey breeds, the Royal Palm turkeys are also naturally very good breeders. They will breed easily and produce enough fertile eggs for hatching if you keep good ratio of hens and toms in your flock.
Generally one mature and healthy tom will be enough for breeding around or up to 8-10 hens.
Caring
The Royal Palm turkeys are relatively strong and hardy birds. So they generally require less caring and other management. But taking additional caring will help the birds to grow better and produce more.
Monitor your bird’s health on a regular basis for any signs of diseases or illness. And take necessary steps as soon as possible if you notice anything uncommon. Vaccinate your birds timely and always try to keep good contact with a vet in your area.
Marketing
Marketing turkey products is not a problem, because both meat and eggs of turkey have very good demand and value in the market. But marketing ornamental or exhibition turkey can be different. So determine the demand and value of ornamental or exhibition turkey in your area before starting this business.
These are the ways and steps for starting and operating a successful Royal Palm turkey farming business. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck & may God bless you!
