A dozen mature Turkeys will produce over 250 pounds of turkey meat which is considerably more than the average family can consume during the year. It must also be remembered that a Turkey will eat at least 100 pounds of feed during his six months’ residence on a farm.
In Uganda Turkey are estimated to be 350,000.
Breeds of Turkey in Uganda
- There are different breeds of Turkey and each of them has their own particular condition. There are some Turkeys that are more heat tolerant than other whereas there are Turkeys that produce more eggs, are more fertile and hatch easier than other Turkeys.
Factors to Consider For Turkey rearing
- Examine the location of a free-range Turkey farm.
- Temperature should be right for the breed of Turkey.
- Area should be large enough.
- Should have a source of potable water nearby
- Area should have sufficient plant material or plant more.
- Area should be free from previous Turkeys or Animal epidemics.
- An acre of fenced land is sufficient for around 200 to 250 adult free-range Turkeys.
- Should also be a building for Turkey Egg storage or for artificial insemination and hatching.
- Turkey farm should analyse a market and transportation to the market.
Caring for Turkeys
- Turkeys only need a lot of care when still young.
- Young Turkeys can be hard to look after as they have been known to eat their litter and a farmer has to gradually raise the height of the feeder and water can as the young Turkeys get bigger.
- Mature Turkeys are usually feed two or three times a day then released in the evening to go out to forage.
- Turkeys require about six square feet of space each however some farmers recommend keeping the Turkey indoors while others prefer to let the birds roam in the yard once they are old enough, but this can be risky because of Predators.
- Turkeys should never be left to wonder around on their own as they can easily get lost for those who choose to keep their Turkeys indoors should avoid lining the floor with saw dust because Turkeys are bound to gobble it up and when they do, it fills up their crop and they are unable to eat, so they starve to death.
- Turkeys are curious birds hard to tell what they can get into, a farmer should strive to keep the area where Turkeys live free of hazardous elements.
Benefits of turkey
- Turkeys is a source of Income.
- A well fed mature Turkey will give over 90 eggs per a year.
- Turkeys are known for the protein content that is good for the body and a good source of amino acids. Just one serving of Turkey provides 65% of your recommended daily intake of protein.
- Turkeys are known to contain traces of minerals, thought to aid in cancer prevention. It contains selenium, which is essential for the healthy function of the thyroid and immune system. Selenium is an antioxidant and protects against cancer.
- Turkey is considered a good source of vitamins. A serving of Turkey meat has 36% of the daily allowance of B3 and 27% of your recommended intake of B6.Saturated fat is necessary for biological functions, hormone production, padding for organs and energy.
- Saturated fat is necessary for a healthy body, most moderately-active people need to avoid to much of it in their diet. Turkey has fewer than 12% of the recommended daily allowance of saturated fat per 4oz.
- Grass fed turkey raised under organic conditions conveys the most health benefits. Grass-fed turkeys offer higher nutrition and are superior to birds given antibiotics or raised without access to natural pasture.
Areas in Uganda that rear turkeys
- Mbale District
- Paliisa District