Content
Today, many people keep turkeys at home. The topic of incubation for breeders is very important, because although the process is similar for all domesticated birds, it has its own characteristics. Even those who use turkeys for hatching young animals need to know the principle of breeding poultry in an incubator, since this may be needed sooner or later. Let's talk about this in more detail and learn about all the nuances of the process.
Preparation process
First of all, having decided to breed turkey poults through an incubator, they begin to select eggs. Experts advise choosing copies of the same size. The best eggs are taken from turkeys over 8 months of age. Do not leave them in the nest. As soon as there are more than ten eggs, the maternal instinct may wake up in the female, and she will begin to incubate them.
Before placing in the incubator, all specimens must be cleaned (but not washed) of dirt. This must be done carefully so as not to damage them. It is also worth paying attention to the growths and defects on the shell. It is better not to place such specimens in an incubator. If they have build-ups or are very thin shells, this indicates that there is a serious problem in the house. It is better to eliminate diseases on time, disinfect, and the birds are fed with chalk and sprat.
The conditions for the selection and storage of material for incubating turkeys are given in the table below.
Necessary condition | Indicator |
|---|---|
Temperature regime | +12 degrees Celsius |
Humidity | Should not exceed 80% |
Storage placement | Blunt end up, after four days of storage they are turned over |
Maximum storage time | No more than 10 days |
Disinfection before incubation is an optional process, but recommended by most experts. To do this, you can use:
- hydrogen peroxide;
- glutex and other special solutions;
- potassium permanganate solution.
Specialized tools can be easily found on sale today. Incubation of turkeys with a large number of eggs should be carried out using professional means.
Determination of the quality of eggs
On large farms, hatching eggs are carefully checked. For this, the process of ovoscopy is used.
The rules for ovoscopy are as follows:
- in the light it should be visible that the protein has no extraneous inclusions and is absolutely transparent;
- the yolk should have clear contours and be located in the middle of the egg;
- the air chamber should always be located at the blunt end;
- when turning the egg, the yolk should move slowly.
If all points are met, such an egg can be considered ideal. From it you can get healthy offspring in an incubator.
To study the process of ovoscopy in more detail, we recommend watching this video:
Breeding new offspring is a responsible process, incubation modes are of great importance here.
Incubation process
Turkeys are poultry that easily breed on their own. However, this process is fraught with some difficulties, which are extremely difficult to solve in the presence of a large farm.In the place where the turkey hatches eggs, you need to withstand a certain temperature and humidity, make sure that the bird feeds well, since it often refuses to leave the nest.
Those who were engaged in breeding turkeys noted that their maternal instinct is very developed. Often, males also incubate. If the farm is large, it is better to select the material in a timely manner and engage in hatching yourself in an incubator. A heavy turkey will not crush some of the eggs; only high-quality specimens can be selected.
Incubation conditions
In order not to spoil the hatching of turkeys, it is necessary to withstand the conditions under which the incubation process will be ideal. First, let's figure out the timing of withdrawal.
The incubation period of turkeys is 28 days, it is strictly divided into four stages, the modes of each of them differ:
- initial stage (from 1 to 7 days);
- middle stage (from 8 to 14 days);
- the end of the incubation period (from 15 to 25 days);
- withdrawal (26-28 days).
We will tell you more about each of the stages. It is important to know the following here:
- temperature regime in the incubator;
- humidity;
- the process of turning turkey eggs;
- whether there is a need for cooling.
If at the exit the number of healthy turkey poults is 75% or more of the number of eggs laid in the incubator, then all the regimes are observed correctly.
First stage
During the first week of incubation, it is important to maintain a high humidity of at least 60%. This mode is used for all non-aquatic birds. During this period, it is very important that the air exchange in the incubator is good. A turkey egg absorbs a lot of oxygen and emits a lot more carbon dioxide when compared to chicken eggs.
For everyone who decides to breed turkey poults in an incubator, a special mode table will help. It is given for each of the periods separately. There is no cooling of the material in the first two weeks.
Condition | Indicator corresponding to the stage |
|---|---|
Humidity | 60-65% |
Temperature | 37.5-38 degrees Celsius |
Turning eggs | 6-8 times a day |
As for the turning of the eggs, this process is extremely necessary, because the ripening embryo can stick to the shell. At the first stage, turns must be done at least six times a day.
On the eighth day after the end of this stage, the incubation material is removed and analyzed by the ovoscopy method described earlier. It is important that all specimens have a developed circulatory system of the embryo. If it is not there, then it is simply confiscated. He will not give offspring.
Second week of incubation
The second week also does not require the breeder to chill the eggs. The temperature in the incubator is not reduced, leaving the same. According to many recommendations from professionals, the best temperature for turkey eggs is 37.8 degrees.
Condition | Indicator corresponding to the stage |
|---|---|
Humidity | 45-50% |
Temperature | 37.5-38 degrees Celsius |
Turning eggs | 6-8 times a day |
You need to turn the eggs in the same way as in the first week. Reduce only the moisture content to 50%.
Stage Three
After two weeks, the humidity indicator is increased again to the indicators of the first week. The cooling process is now added to the egg turning procedure. You need to perform the procedures daily up to and including the 25th day.
Condition | Indicator corresponding to the stage |
|---|---|
Humidity | 65% |
Temperature | 37.5 degrees Celsius |
Turning eggs | 4 times a day |
Cooling process | 10-15 minutes |
Cooling is a special procedure. It is carried out for the reason that by this time the embryos themselves begin to generate heat. To check if the eggs are cooled enough, you need to bring them to your cheek or eyelid. If it is chilled, it will neither be warm nor cold. After that, they are placed back in the incubator. There will be very little time left before the withdrawal.Very soon, turkey poults will hatch from the eggs.
Output
The first turkey chick can hatch already on the 26th day of the incubation period. For the last three days, you do not need to turn the eggs or refrigerate them. On the 27th day, when the chicks hatch, you need to carefully monitor the ventilation in the incubator. It is important that the chicks have enough oxygen.
Condition | Indicator corresponding to the stage |
|---|---|
Humidity | up to 70% |
Temperature | 37 degrees Celsius |
Turning eggs | Not |
When most of the chicks are hatched, it is best to raise the temperature slightly (about half a degree). Conclusion is the most crucial stage, it must be approached responsibly.
If you decide to have turkeys for the first time, and there is simply no one to carry eggs, you can purchase hatching eggs. They can be found commercially. There are specialized poultry farms, in the same place a newcomer can be advised on the withdrawal of turkeys. Whichever breeding method is ultimately chosen, using an incubator is a reliable method of producing healthy offspring.
