xt7qz60bxc7t https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7qz60bxc7t/data/mets.xml   Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station. 1937 journals kaes_circulars_275 English Lexington : The Service, 1913-1958. Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station Circular (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n. 275 text Circular (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n. 275 1937 2014 true xt7qz60bxc7t section xt7qz60bxc7t COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
  Extension Division
O THOMAS P. COOPER, Dean and Director
  CIRCULAR N O. 275
1B'
  (Revised)
  __
  Profitable Turkey Management
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  "Bred in Old Kentucky"
g Lexington, Ky.
il? March, 1937
  ____
  Published in connection with the Agricultural Extension Work carried on by coopera-
§  tion of the College of Agriculture, University of Kentucky, with the U. S. Department of
  Agiggulture and distributed in furtherance of the work provided for in the Act of Congress
  0 ey 8, 1914.
 
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CHICKENS AND TURKEYS "DON’T MIX" `
neéimy chicken __l
\ · ~ CECAL WORMS  
N { (Heterakls
` § ` ‘ l /
l .i~`*°§\°`5 \"/
gf af CECAL WORM EGGS 1
4* 1. _ié Z`:·; Blackbeard- —    with a floor.
I . I I
This floor should be thoroly cleaned at least once a week and the
litter and droppings removed Ollt of reach of the poults.
GROWTH AND FEED CONSUMPTION
.~\ turkey consumes approximately —l· pounds of feed per pound
of body weight. during the first six months of its life. The follow·
ing table should be of assistance in calculating the feed require-
ments of a hrood ol` turkeys.
Feed Consumption Per Turkey
Age Grain and Mash ·
Average iww T0 Date i
· 1 to 4 wks. 2 lbs. 2 lbs.
9 to 12 " 7 " 14 "
13 t0 16 " 11 " 25 "
. 17 to 20 " 16 " 41 "
i 21 to 24 " 19 " 60 "

  
4 Kentucky Extension Circular No. 275  
In order to determine if the young stock is growing normally it fan?
is wise to weigh a few average size birds every few weeks and com-   mul
pare them with normal weight for their age. The normal rate of Z Of U
growth for Bronze turkeys is indicated in the following table. mfly
with
NORMAL GROWTH RATE OF BRONZE TURKEYS are _
Age Males Females   [I
gas. 14;- 12 Oz. with
lg U 3 His.? og. g   1; og. mm
16 “ 10 If 5 ff 7 ff H II ‘““°
32 ·~ it ~ 2 ·· fl ·t 1; ·· Otter
28 *· 21 " 6 ·· 12 *‘ 8 *‘ dtfgi
A 16-pound young turkey tom has consumed approximately 64 ansi
pounds of feed, and an 8-pound capon about the same amount. Elm
Hence it is more prohtable to produce turkeys than capons if the y [Tot
mortality is low in both cases. However, feed consumed by the   Lil
poults that die before reaching market age 1T1llSt be paid for by SC ·
those that live; so it is obvious that high mortality, especially after [ th?
the first two weeks, will offset most of the pro/G/.   (liu
SELECTION AND CARE OF BREEDING STOCK l
lf the breeding stock is vigorous, poults of any breed may be i mas
raised in conhnement. In selecting breeding stock, constitutional sati;
vigor is of most importance. Vitality is the foundation of any (br;
breeding program. Many turkey raisers make the mistake of keep pon
ing late-hatched, undersized birds for breeders because the larger Thi
birds top the market and bring a greater cash return. Breeding kep
stock free from crooked breasts should be selected in the fall of the desi
year before any birds are sold on the Thanksgiving market. ll oil
should be kept in mind that rapid growth and early maturity are Sho
· inherited characters and that all slow—growing, late-maturing birds ing
should be marketed. An extra tom should be saved. \Vell-matured tmc
young hens may be used, altho yearling hens are to be preferred. and
Hens 1nay be kept several years if they continue to lay well. The
only disadvantage of yearling or adult hens is that they do not start
laying so early or lay as many eggs during the hatching season. It is Hm
possible to increase the egg production by selection of the turkey SPN
breeders for high egg production just as with chickens. I‘lO\\'C\'Cl} Sun
this necessitates the use of the trapnest, which involves extra labor is H
when the caretaker is busiest. Since turkey eggs may be used on the _
i

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  fi
  Prohtable Turkey Management 5
  family table fried, scrambled or boiled or may be used in many
if recipes (using 2 where 3 chicken eggs are called for), the breeding
  of turkeys for high egg production in seasons other than the spring
I may pay well. As many as 15 hens can be mated to a vigorous tom
with good results. Toms weighing 20 to 25 pounds (when not fat)
‘   are best, as birds weighing much more frequently injure the hens.
I If the tom’s toenails and spurs are sharp, they should be trimmed
with a Hle. If heavy toms still injure the backs of the smaller hens,
canvas saddles should be used on the hens. If the toms fight, alter-
nate them. Never inbreed turkeys. lf careful not to mate parent to
offspring, nor brother to sister one need fear no ill effects from other
degrees of relationship. Conhne the breeders to small yards or
pasture lots (with ample green feed) during the breeding season, so
that the eggs may be easily found and gathered often. \Vhile a five-
foot fence is desirable, turkeys have been confined by a four-foot
  fence when suflicient feed is available in open hoppers or range
· g self-feeders. It may be necessary to clip one wing of the hens, but
i the to1n’s wings should not be clipped. Provide nests of old barrels
  (laid on the side) or boughs arranged in tee-pee fashion.
  LAYING MASH
Q During the breeding season the turkeys should be given a dry
if mash. They should receive a laying mash early in January. A
satisfactory mixture consists of 200 pounds of mixed wheat feed
(bran and middlings), 200 pounds of coarse—ground yellow corn, 100
pounds of high—grade tankage or meat scrap, and 5 pounds of salt.
Thismixture or any good laying mash fed the chickens should be
kept before the turkeys thruout the breeding season. It is highly
desirable to add 2 percent (l quart per 100 pounds) of a hsh liver
oil such as cod liver oil or sardine oil. Limestone or oyster shell
should be available. Artificial light from 4 a. m. to daylight, start-
ing in january, increases the lay of February and March eggs, but
t1nder such conditions the fertility may be low if the weather is cold
and stormy.
FEED CONSUMPTION
An average size turkey hen on full feed eats about 314 to  
lbs. per week in the fall and winter and 2% lbs. per week in the
spring. lf kept on a maintenance ration, chiefly of grain in the
summer, the consumption will run 114 to 1% lbs. per week. This
is a total of 120 pounds of feed (grain and mash) per year for a

 l
li Kenlztcky Ex/c21.v/on Circa/ur .\`o. 275 » l
‘ l
mature hen. Mature toms consume about twice as much as hens. ` of tf
1 the c
EGGS FOR HATCHING _   {hc 5
Turkey eggs of all sizes may be set and good hatches received. I mm}
. Abnormally large eggs do not hatch as well as those of average size. (hm
In filling orders for hatching eggs select eggs of uniform size. The Tum
eggs should be kept in a cool place above freezing and below 680 I·`., Um
. - ` . . ' hh
preferably between :>(l° and OOO l·. lt is best to set the eggs before mm
they are ten days old, altho lair hatches have been had from eggs yum:
four weeks old. lf kept for a week or more it is advisable to turn the cmu
eggs daily. .~\n   case containing duckegg fillets, which may be _,
obtained from a huckster or produce dealer, is a very satisfactory limi
container for holding and shipping turkey eggs. I)o not use the hc i
plain, smooth. cardboard flats as there will be more breakage than mm
if cup-type flats are used. If the eggs are held in an egg case it is tt uml
simple matter to turn them by propping the case against the wall \
and reversing ends daily. {hc f
NATURAL INCUBATION Cggg
Turkey eggs require 28 days to hatch. The eggs may be set under 'l
chicken hens, turkey hens or in incubators. For Kentucky, April y chicl
and May are best for hatching. Late june and _]uly hatched poults incu
are hard to raise. Mortality is higher and crooked breast bones {info
more common among l2llC»ll2ll.Cl`1C(l poults. A chicken hen should lorct
cover lf) turkey eggs and a turkey hen 15 to 18. There is little wet
if any difference between the chicken and turkey hen for hatching. and
Do not interfere with the hen during natural incubation, only make (
sure that she is free from lice and mites and gets sulhcient feed and by n
Willel`. eval
/.icc live on the body of a turkey and can best be controlled by incr
dusting the broody hen with soditnn fluoride before she is set and I
again a week before the eggs are due to hatch. ilfilrrs live around thc phy:
l roosts and in the brood coops and crawl on the birds at night to somi
suck the blood. They may be controlled by painting or spraying pera
the coops and the roosting quarters with crankcase tlrainings or .·
cresol stock dip. devt
ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION’l° woy
.·\ny good. well-ventilatetl incubator will hatch turkey eggs il well
carefully operated. Adjust the thermometer so that the bottom l
iigubatioii Experiments with Turkey Eggs," Ky. Exp. Stu, Bul. 359, reports results it ih
plfoyfntyggsgglggégcgg ly);-gC\r:{;1lrir(t’0Ll;;1{Egl;tggrklgyyreggs artificially. A copy may be cbtairwd {hu;
l

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  Pro/I/uf)/e Turkey 1\f(IH(lglf7}I(’Ilf 7
pj
I   of the bulb is 178 inches above the tray and just clears the top of
  the eggs. Keep the tentperature at l00%° F. the Hrst week, 10l%°
  the second. I02%° the third week and 1050 the fourth week. A
l temperature of I03%° to l04° (at the level of the top of the eggs)
during the last week injures the poults and decreases the hatch.
t 'l`urn the eggs 4 to ti times daily, from the second day until the first
  pips. ln the sectional incubator it is desirable to rotate the
turning crank over. back and over, so that the turning device passes
across the tray. then back and across again at each turning. This
ensures all eggs being turned.
Artificial incubation is aided by more moisture, especially the
last week of incubation. The humidity within the incubator may
be increased by placing moist sand in the trays or by additional
pans. l)arken the incubator door while the hatch is coming off,
and do not open it except when absolutely necessary.
_j \\’hen incubating turkey eggs in a forced—draft incubator, keep
f the same temperature which has given the best hatches with chicken
eggs.
E 'l`urkey eggs require as much moisture during incubation as
  chicken   if not more. especially during the last three days of
  incubation. The relative humidity should be about 60% until jus!
  lzcfonr Ilm eggs pip, zu/amt. il shoulzl be increased I0 70%. If the
l`orced—draft incubator is run at 99%° F. (dry bulb) this means a
wet bulb temperature of about S80 F., until the twenty-fifth day
and 90 to Sll O F., while the eggs are hatching.
()bservation of the size ol the air cell in the large end of the egg,
by means of an   candler, gives the operator a guide on the rate of
evaporation. ll the incubator has insufficient moisture, the air cell
increases in size too rapidly.
Faulty incubation fretluently results in weakened poults. These
physical handicaps may last several days and later cause mortality
sometimes attributed to other factors such as feed. brooding tem-
perature, litter and the like.
.·\rtilicial incubation will increasingly play a large part in the
development of the turkey industry, since sufficient experimental
work has been done to show that turkey eggs hatch well in most
well-built incubators, if properly managed.
Until experimental results indicate the desirability of a change.
Z it is wise to follow, with turkey eggs, those incubation procedures
that have given the best hatches with chicken  

  
I ¤  
. .  
8 Kentucky Extenszon Circular N0. 275  
METHOD OF BROODIN G the
Artificial brooding of poults eliminates most of the dangers from   it is
lice, mites and diseases from the mother hen. A lO’ x l2' brooder gf] élpa
house such as is commonly used for chicks, provides room for 100 to ` [Fig
1 150 poults. (See Fig. 1). A coal or oil colony brooder stove or a in t
, brick brooder in which green hardwood is burned may be used.   .
Instructions for building the brick brooder and the brooder house
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Fig. 1. A healthy brood of poults raised in semi-coniinement at the Robinson Sub-
station in Breathitt County, Kentucky. (Note brooder house in which poults were bro0d— ya
ed under a colony brooder stove until 10 weeks of age). and
cost
may be had from the College of Agriculture without cost.* Coarse
sand or Hne gravel is satisfactory for litter and its use avoids the hre nam
hazard of wheat straw or shavings. Poults tend to eat the litter if V Sew
feed is not available at all times in open hoppers, especially when pim
the poults are Hrst put into the brooder. lf colony brooder houses um
are built especially for the poults the expense of a iloor may be , BHC}
' avoided and the brick brooder built on the ground if the brooding mm
area is far enou h awa from barns and other outbuildinvs to avoid SUI]
O
trouble from rats. The same equipment that was used for an early out
brood of chicks may be used for brooding poults provided it is wit]
thoroly scraped, swept, scrubbed with lye water (a 13-02. can of lye and
in 13 gal. of water) and then disinfected. Have a small opening on yair
each side of the colony brooder house and alternate the poults in   wea
*Send for Kentucky Extension Circular 157 "Brooding Chicks Artincially." Electric the
hovers of the latest type and oil burners which consume the vaporized oil (kerosene) may ` Tilt
be used with satisfactory results in brooding poults. ‘

 5%  
 
tu
  Projitable Turkey 1\lanagemen/ 9
  the small runs or yards. If crows, owls and hawks are troublesome
ii it is wise to stretch cord or twine back and forth (6 inches to a foot _
_ apart) over the top of the yard where the young poults range. This
  frightens wild birds as they seem to be afraid of becoming entangled
in the string.
  A brood coop (see Fig. 2) is a necessity in raising poults by the
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Fig. 2. Turkey brooding coop for hen and 15 to 20 poults. The coop is 5 feet square.
and has one corner protected with top and sides. Blueprint plans may be secured at
cost (10c) from the College of Agriculture, Lexington. Ask for blueprint No. Ky. 11-7171-1.
natural method. The coops should be placed in a clean pasture,
several yards apart. A turkey hen with 15 to 20 poults should be
placed in each coop. It is a good plan to conhne them to the coop
until the poults are a week old. Move the coops 15 to 20 feet once
J each week. If the weather is suitable during the first week the long.
narrow door may be opened to let the poults out while the hen is
still confined to the coop. After the Hrst week the hen may be let
out with the poults where other poultry does not range. The hen
V with her brood should always be put back into the coop at night
and the doors shut to keep out prowling animals. On stormy or
rainy days leave the hen and poults conhncd to the coop until the
‘   weather is clear. Little pools or puddles of stagnant water to which
l . . .
j the turkeys go to drink are often sources of blackhead infection.
i The coop should be used as a shelter until the poults are large
1

   Y
l \
I1) I\.(’}l/lI(`/{IY [‘l.\'/{’lI.¥1()}I Circa/r1r1\'0. 275  
` l
y en0ugh 10 r00st. i11 1l1e 0pe11. ll` the turkeys are being br00ded 0n a pr01.
hillside, place the c00ps ill. the b0110111 0[ the hill and gradually L gmx
lll()\'(f them up. Since Il2ll`l`()\\' r00sts have been k110w11 10 cause   bv a
x cr00ked breasts. r00sts at least ·1 inches wide sl10uld be pr0vided il` wl1e
1r0uble i`l`()Ill this s0urce has bee11 c0n11n0n in 1l1e ll0ck. I)0 1101 may
put r00sts cl0se 10 1l1e fence as lllC birds are inclined 10 lly 0ver when als
1nen
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s * 4, ·~ ‘ · ’ ‘       ‘;·-1 ;;-Ms. »J§~.;·.,;=;$ sri? ,,,3 we `  _ · $" ;· 1 , . .
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Z 0I` (`1
Fig. 3. Roosting shed for turkeys in il peach 0I`Cl`1{ll'd. 4 _ _
1I 1l1
leaving 1l1e r00s1s i11 the 1110r11ing. lt is advisable 10 have a r001` innsi
0ver the 0u1d00r r00sts (see Fig. $5) 10 which the p0ul1s are trans- the .
ferred when moved fI`Olll 1l1e br00der l10use, unless these r00s1s are (-(ms
well pr01ee1ed by trees. 1_)|ld1
I11 1l1e I`21ll, wl1e11 1l1e young turkeys have l)CC()IIl(j attractive 10 H (ly
thieves. it is wise 10 drive the il0ck 10 a yard 0r pasture cl0se 10 the umj
residence. ll` 1l1is is llllI)l`1lCl.lC2ll, 1l1e r00s1ing quarters 0r range may lm,
be ligl11ed with cann0n—ball l()l`Cll€S (such as 1l10se 11sed 011 highways mus
‘ lIll(lCl` repair) s0 the ll0ck can be see11 from the residence during the HHN
lliglll. ll` a [ew glllllCZl eggs are set with the turkey eggs Zllld thc .111,
YUUIIQ g11111eas are raised with the turkey p0ul1s, they will serve 10 HMS
warn 1l1e ()\\’llCl` 111 event an attempt ts made 10 steal 1l1e turkeys.
FEEDING POULTS
The use 0f Ct)llElg`C cheese, baked c0rn bread a11d 01l1er c0stly. I
Il`()lll)l(jS()lll€ delicacies is 10 be disc0uraged. as it. seld0n1 results i11 0r h
the giving 0i` :1 llllll·()ll]l, \\'Cll—l)2llZlllC€(l ra1i0n. 10 h
Dllllllg 1l1e hrst few weeks. p0ul1s require Tl higher percentage ef be 11

   I'ro/ilu/2/c Turkey i\f{I}lIlg`('}Il(f7Itf I I
~4
e
protein than do chicks. Any formula that has been fed chicks with
Ly good results may be fed poults; the protein level may be increased
  by also feeding buttermilk or skim1nilk. lf sour milk is fed. the
whey as well as the clabber should be given. Crooked breast bones
may result from feeding a ration too low in certain essential miner-
als (particularly phosphorus) and vitamin D. The rations recom-
mended herein provide these essentials as well as the otl1er im-
portant nutrients in ample amounts and suitable proportions. '1`he
following rations are recommended to persons who wish to mix
their own l`eed. 'l`hc local miller or feed dealer will mix a ton of
the mash if several customers request feed of the same formula.
Dry mash should be available in self-feeders when the poults are
removed to the brooder. Allow five feet of mash-hopper space, both
sides of which are available, and two l-gallon fountains, for lllll
poults. Alter the first week poults are ready for self-fed grain.
  Place a mixture of equal parts wheat and coarse-ground corn (not
sifted cracked corn from which the germs have been removed) in
open hoppers and the poults will gradually increase their consump-
y tion of grain. Shelled corn may be fed as soon as the poults are
I large enough to eat it. 'l`urkeys fatten better in the fall on crushed
I or cracked corn than on whole. No special fattening feed is needed
' if the turkeys are fed a good growing ration. Poults do not like dry
mash well enough to overeat of it at any time. Place fresh mash in
the self-feeders every day, putting in only as much as the birds will
consume in 2-l to 36 hours. \\'hen the mash hoppers are placed out-
of-doors they should be protected by a projecting cover or roof. lf
a driving rain should dampen the mash. do not add more dry mash·
until the wet mash is consumed. lt. is almost impossible to supply
ltlt) much hopper space to growing stock (See Fig.   \\'hen dry
mash is first fed, green alfalfa leaves or clabber sprinkled on the
mash aids in inducing the poults to eat the mash. After the poults
are (S to 8 weeks old the fish-liver oil should be omitted from thc
mash. unless the birds are confined.
FORDIULAS
lf an ample supply of milk is available, mash mixture No. 2, ·1
or No. 5 should be fed. lf the ingredients of mash mixtures No. l
to No. ·} are not available, the simple all—mash formula No. 5 may
be mixed at home and fed with skimmilk or buttermilk.

 GT
{1 ;
I2 Kentucky Extension Circular No. 275 p
Farmers’ Bulletin No. l409* recommends the following two
starting mashes to feed poults during the Hrst six to eight weeks. E th
Starting mash No. l is preferred if liquid milk is not available. * l th
U. S. Starting All-Mash U. S. Starting All—Mash 9-g
No. 1 N0. 2
Ground yellow corn .............. 17 lbs. Yellow corn meal ..............,... 45 lbs.
Dried milk .........................,...... 17 " Middlings (shorts) ................ 15 " [O
Meat scrap (50% protein) .... 13 " Bran ............................................ 15 "
Middlings (shorts) ................ 12 " Meat scrap (50% protein .... 12 “
Finely ground oats (includ- Fish meal (65% protein) .... 5 "
ing the hulls) ................,... 12 " Alfalfa leaf meal .................... 5 "
Bran ...................,.,.................... 12* " Cod liver oil? .......................... 2 "
Fish meal (65% protein) .... 8 " Salt .....................,...................... 1 "
Alfalfa leaf meal .................. 6 " -——
Cod liver oil? .......................... 2 " Total (protein 19%) ........ 100 lbs.
Salt ........,.....................,..,.......... 1 "
Total (protein 26%) ........ 100 lbs.
"Starting mash No. 2 is advised for feeding when liquid skim- ’
milk or buttermilk is kept before the poults at all times. Sonic
water is furnished, allowing one dish of water to several of milk. _
These starting mashes are fed without scratch grain; but water, ;
green feed, and hard grit such as fine gravel, coarse sand, or com-
mercial granite grit should be supplied."
Kentucky Turkey Starters
(Feed these mixtures dry along with grain. Use No. 4
when liquid milk is fed)
Ingredients No. 3 No. 4 l
Ground yellow corn ...................................... 20 lbs. 40 lbs. ‘
Mixed wheat feed or shipstuff ....,............... 35 30
Finely ground or pulverized oats ..........., 10 10
Meat and bone scrap (not tankage) ........ 17 7
Dried buttermilk or skimmilk ...........,..,... 10 (liquid)
Alfalfa meal .......................................,............ 5 10
Fish liver oilr .................,.................................. 2 2
san .........................,............................................ 1 1 gl
100 lbs. 100 lbs.
All-Mash F0rmula—N0 Grain Needed
(To be fed with liquid milk) _
No. 5 S
Ground yellow corn .............................................................................. 7 lbs. U
Mixed wheat feed ..,............................................................................. 3 " .
Bone meal ............,............................................,.,.................. . ................ % " H
Salt ......................,...,. . ..........,....................................... 3 level tablespoonfuls y,
*Farmers Bulletin 1409, "Turkey Raising? by Marsden and Lee, may be secured thru  
the countv agent.
TA fish liver oil such as cod liver oil or sardine oil altho desirable is not essential if C
the poults are out in direct sunshine several hours each day. One pint of the oil weighs , _
approximately one pound.  
i
1
l

   Profitable Turkey Mariagemenl 13
  Both the all—mash and milk must be available at all times and ‘
·*' the poults should receive green feed and direct sunshine. In event
  the oults do not have several hours of direct sunshine dail add
w Y,
2% of cod liver oil to No. 5.
I X/Vl1€I"l it is desired to change the poults to a growing mash at 6
il to 8 weeks of age the following formula No. 6 may be used.
j Growing Mash—Feed With Grain
(For growing poults and breeders receiving graini
N0. 6
Mixed wheat feed ......................,........................,.,.............................. 200 lbs. V
Ground yellow corn ..............,. . .......................................................... 100 "
y Ground oats or barley* .............................................................,........ 100 "
Meat and bone scrap ....................,..................................................... 100 "
Salt .......... . .........................................................................,.,....,............. 5 "
505 lbs.
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