Tips on how to rear turkeys for profit

[Mumo Munuve, Standard]

Many farmers in Kenya rear chicken as opposed to turkeys. But as consumer needs keep changing, there is a growing interest in turkey production as a commercial venture. Turkey farming is concentrated in urban cities where the birds are reared on free range system. If we look at the turkey breeding pyramid with the pedigree selection occurring at the top and consumers at the bottom, we have a low population of Parent stock and no pedigrees. Hybrid parent stocks are still imported from western countries. Most of the primary breeders locally produce commercial birds through a natural incubation system, which is highly inefficient. Females are generally slaughtered at 12-14 weeks weighing 5.5kg while males are slaughtered at 18-21 weeks weighing between 14-17 kg. In the UK alone, more than 10 million turkeys are consumed during Christmas season. In Kenya, there is certainly untapped market for this bird.

Young turkeys are reared in brood rings for six weeks and then moved to grow-out accommodation until ready for slaughter at 12-18 weeks depending on the preferred weights of your customers.