Broad Breasted White turkey farming is very popular, because it is the most common breed of domestic turkey which is most widely used for meat production. It is actually a commercial breed which is raised throughout the world for meat production purpose.
The Broad Breasted White turkey breed was developed from United States by crossing the White Holland and Broad Breasted Bronze turkey. The breed has become the dominant turkey breed on the market. And it is the breed that most Americans are familiar with.
The Broad Breasted Bronze turkey breed held the dominant position on the turkey market, before development of this breed. But people began to prefer the Broad Breasted White turkey during the beginning of the 1960s.
Most of the breeders began to prefer the Broad Breasted White turkey breed, because they produced a cleaner looking carcass. The breed was admitted into the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection in the year of 1874.
Today the Broad Breasted White turkey is very popular not only in the United States but also in some other countries around the world. So starting commercial Broad Breasted White turkey farming can be a good business.
Here we are trying to describe more information about starting and operating a successful Broad Breasted White turkey farming business.
How to Start Broad Breasted White Turkey Farming
Starting Broad Breasted White turkey farming business is very easy and simple. These birds are just like many other domestic turkey breeds. They are very strong and hardy birds.
So starting commercial Broad Breasted White turkey farming business will be easy. Read more information about starting Broad Breasted White turkey farming business from purchasing birds to caring and marketing.
Purchase Birds
First of all, you have to purchase very good quality, healthy and active birds for starting your Broad Breasted White turkey farming business. Purchasing very good quality birds is very important. Because good quality birds always ensure good production and maximum profits.
Depending on the availability in your area, you can purchase either mature birds or day old poults. The day old poults are much cheaper, while the mature birds are generally sold at very high prices in the market. So, we recommend starting with day old poults.
You can purchase the poults from any of your nearest turkey breeding centers, turkey poult suppliers or from any existing Broad Breasted White turkey farms (if there is any in your area). You can also consider searching your local online classified websites. Just ensure that the poults are very strong, hardy, active and disease free.
Housing
Making a good housing system for your birds is very important for commercial Broad Breasted White turkey farming business. Because a good house not only help the birds to stay healthy, but also helps them to stay free from all types of predators and adverse weather conditions.
The type of the house can be any depending on your budget, and also on the availability of materials. The house can be of full concrete setup, or you can build the house with low cost and easily available materials (such as bamboo or wood). Just ensure that the house is secure and comfortable for your birds.
The Broad Breasted White turkeys also require a clean environment and comfortable housing system, just like many other domestic turkey breeds. So, ensure all the required facilities are available inside the house. You will need to provide the birds with a good roosting area with a roof. And the roosting area of the birds must have to have good protection against predators.
Allowing the birds to access fresh pasture will be good. The birds also require a good place to dust bathe and a roosting place for flying up into at night. The Broad Breasted White turkeys are classed as a large sized breed. So on average, a mature bird will require around or up to 15 square feet of housing space.
Feeding
Feeding the Broad Breasted White turkey birds with very good quality, healthy and nutritious food is the most important part of commercial business. Because good quality food not only helps the birds to grow better, but also helps them to stay healthy and produce more.
You can feed your turkey either with commercial poultry feeds or turkey feeds depending on the availability in your area. The turkey birds generally require more protein in their diet than chickens. So, ensure availability of adequate amount of protein in their diet.
The starter feed of the poults should contain at least 28% protein. And the mature bird’s food should contain at least 20% protein. You can also feed your birds with gamebird starter or chick starter for the first 6 weeks. And then gradually move to a grower feeds.
The Broad Breasted White turkeys also reach marketing size within their 6 months of age, just like many other turkey breeds. And on an average, a tom will require around 100 lbs of feed, and a hen will require approximately 60 lbs of feed for reaching marketing size within 6 months.
The Broad Breasted White turkeys are good for raising in both confinement and free range system. But they generally do very well in free range system. And allowing your birds to roam freely in the pasture will help you to reduce feeding costs. And at the same time, the free range birds will produce better quality products.
Always try to provide your birds with enough clean and fresh water as per their demand. And never feed your birds with contaminated feeds.
Breeding
Like many other domestic turkey breeds, the Broad Breasted White turkeys are also naturally very good breeders. They will breed easily and produce fertile eggs for hatching if you keep good ratio of hens and toms in your flock. Generally one mature and healthy tom is enough for breeding around or up to 8-10 hens.
Caring
The Broad Breasted White turkeys are very strong and hardy birds, just like many other domestic turkeys. So, they generally require less caring and other management. Although taking additional caring will help the birds to grow better and produce more. So, always try to take good care of your birds.
Monitor your bird’s health on a regular basis for any signs of diseases or illness. And take necessary steps if you notice anything uncommon. Vaccinate them timely and always try to keep good contact with a vet in your area.
Marketing
Marketing turkey products is not a problem. Turkey meat has very good demand and value in the market. The Broad Breasted White turkeys are raised for meat.
So you don’t have to worry much about marketing your product in the market. You will probably be able to easily sell your products in the local market. Although you should set your marketing strategies before starting this business.
These are the common steps and ways for starting and operating a successful Broad Breasted White turkey farming business. Broad Breasted White turkey farming is really very easy and simple, even the beginners can also raise them. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck & may God bless you!
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