allAfrica.com: Nigeria: Turkey Farming as a Goldmine (Page 1 of 1)

The former President Olusegun Obasanjo's government had banned importation of 52 consumable items into the country. Some of them include poultry foods.

The decision to put a halt to the importation of these items in favour of locally produced ones was based on the need to stop the continuing decline of the manufacturing sector or better still the agro-allied industries in Nigeria.

As it were, Turkey meat was among the victims of the importation embargo; hence the need develop the country's poultry potentials.

Turkey farming does not only provide animal protein for the general populace, it also serves as a sustainable means of income generation for any would-be farmer or entrepreneur.

Contrary to the popular belief that investment in Turkey farming is very risky, an animal scientist at Chechenia market in Kaduna, Mr. David Emmanuel explained that modern Turkey farming is less risky because facilities abound for the containment of seeming difficulties that investors may encounter during rearing season. He added that unlike chicken production, Turkey farming is also less risky in terms of disease outbreaks.

According to Mr. Emmanuel, this is because the life expectancy of turkey is higher than that of Chicken. And the gestation period of Turkey is five months, which is the same with that of Chicken despite the fact that Turkey farming can earn you more than the Chicken poultry.

With an average adult Turkey selling for 5,000 naira and the much emphasis placed on Chicken production by Nigerian farmers makes Turkey industry a goldmine. During festive periods some people present Turkey as gifts to their mentors, friends, in-laws relations, politicians and well-wishers. When presented as gift, it signifies honor and respect by the sender to the receiver.

Turkey farming can be practiced any where in Nigeria according tothe animal scientist Mr. Emmanuel who highlighted the cretaria to run a profitable Turkey poultry business to include: Good management, good feeding, potent vaccines and professional assistance to sum up the business.

Investors/entrepreneurs and farmers however need to know the nitty-gritty of Turkey production before venturing into it. This is because; the right information may bridge the gab between failure and success.

The animal scientist stated that low-income earners could also invest in the Turkey farming with as little as ten poults (baby turkeys) with a turn over of 10,000 in five months. He however explained that high-income earners could be a millionaire through Turkey farming when wisely invested as the profit for the farming is higher depending on the quantity.

The following, when vigorously applied makes up a successful Turkey farm.

Sourcing for Day-Old Turkey: Turkey should be purchased from reputable hatcheries with a good record of hygienic and disease management. The purchase of good stock is the foundation for success. Therefore the poults to be purchased should be healthy with well-formed feet and sharp eyes. There should be absence of any anatomical deformities on their bodies.

Housing and Environment: This is a determinant factor in any type of animal production and the case of Turkey is not an exception. Different housing types can be used to rear the stock ranging from cages, car garage, boys quarters and uninhibited rooms in residential premises.

Ideally, a well-constructed open-sided poultry house with cross ventilation and cable roofing should be used. This enhances the survival and growth of the poults.

The floor of the house should be cemented and covered with wood shavings that are 3cm thick. Temperature regulation can be achieved by covering the netted areas with empty bags, sacks of feed, sewn together with provision for adjustment during extreme weather conditions. The roof of the building can also be covered with cartons. The building should be well plastered and devoid of crevices which provide hiding places for insects, rodents and other disease causing agents.

Adequate lighting should be provided as this helps the Turkey poults (day old turkeys) to see, feed and roam around. Light also provides warmth for the Turkey at its tender age. This can be achieved by the use of 200 watts electric bulbs. At least to every 25 Turkeys, one 200 watts electricity bulb should be installed. Wiring should be extended to a distance of about 10 inches above the floor level. Adjustments are made as the poults grow. Light should be made available 24 hours; lanterns can be used in the absence of electricity.

Ventilation: Turkey like any animal requires oxygen for their normal body metabolism; oxygen is needed for the break down of food substances in their body to release energy with which they walk around, feed and the likes. The construction of cross-ventilated houses will take care of their oxygen demand as this will allow the free and flow of a stream of fresh air. Where residential houses are used, the windows should be placed directly opposite the doors of such houses and except in extreme cold weather conditions when they have to be shut. Cages should also be built with mosquito net screens placed on the two adjacent sides.

Brooding: Due to the differences between temperatures of the incubators, from which they are hatched and the external environment, extra warmth has to be provided for the Turkeys. This is known as brooding, where there is constant power supply 200 watts bulbs can be used to achieve success. But in places where the power supply is erratic or completely not available, cooking stoves can be use for brooding. Such stoves must have a blue flame capability and should not be leaking. The stove should be put off in the hot afternoon when the in-house temperature is extremely high. One stove to 25 Turkeys is adequate. Brooding can be stopped after four weeks. During brooding, the Turkeys are combined with some day-old broiler chickens as this encourages early feeding among the Turkeys. A stocking density of five poults per square meter should be used.

Nutrition and feeding: Nutrition and feeding consumed abut 80 percent of the total cost of production. Turkey have a high protein requirement than Chickens. The common practice is to feed them with broilers starter rations. This is not adequate as the starter on ratios. This is not adequate as starter ratios contain between 22 to 24 percent crude protein requirements where as the crude protein requirement for Turkey is 28 percent.

Unfortunately, there are no commercially available Turkey rations. Consequently, the farmer is left with no options than to consult experts on how to produce and compound the Turkey rations from locally raw materials.

On the marketability of turkey, the animal scientist stated that Turkeys attain a good live weigh at five months of age when reared under the right husbandry conditions. At this time they can be sold for as much as 5,000 per bird. The farmer, according to the scientist can establish his own market before or after venturing into the business. This he can do by contacting the food and Beverage (F&B) manager at the major hotels in his immediate environment. Cold rooms and the open market provide others sales outlets.

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