‘Local turkey breeding is fun’

How did you start breeding turkey? I was introduced to local turkey breeding by a friend. He told me local hens are capable of hatching turkey eggs. I took interest in it and I decided to experiment it and see whether it will truly work. I started in November, 2013 with five turkey eggs,  but […]

How did you start breeding turkey?
I was introduced to local turkey breeding by a friend. He told me local hens are capable of hatching turkey eggs. I took interest in it and I decided to experiment it and see whether it will truly work. I started in November, 2013 with five turkey eggs,  but the main motive of starting it was to have fun.
How can local turkey breeding be effectively managed?
Local turkey breeding is so interesting and at the same time stressful. The process of hatching a turkey from 0 – 4 months is called brooder. During a brooding period that is from day one to four months, brooders need special, tender and loving care so as to ensure safe breeding. In terms of feeding and watering, one needs to feed and provide the birds with water every day as well as frequent checks to make sure the turkeys are in good conditions. However, specially packaged foreign food is expected to be given to the turkeys. Though it is expensive but if one cannot afford it, it is advisable to feed them with the foreign food at least four months before they can drink, eat and swallow anything considered eatable by human beings and there will not be problem. When my first sets of eggs were hatched, I did not allow the local hen to take parental care of them, so I kept them separately in a cage, taking care of them. Care for turkey at early stage is somehow easy but the older they grow, the more you monitor, study them and then you feel the stress. I studied them well and I was able to know when they are alright or not. If something happens to them I quickly noticed and responded immediately. Turkeys do communicate in different ways, either by sounds or actions. Ordinarily, if they are hungry, tasty, afraid and so on, their sound changes. For instance, if a matured bird is moving around and sees a snake that is too big for it to swallow, it sounds with fear- likewise if it is sickness. After feeding them, I always ensure that their food containers and water feeders are clean and contain feeds and water for them to consume anytime. If any of the turkeys is not well, I do take it to veterinary doctor for proper treatment. For the matured birds, I allow them to move around and when it is time for them to return, they normally go back to their cages. Also, I used to note the nature of sickness, causes, drugs given, and advice for preventions to avoid recurrence. As a computer science student, I also browse for more information about local turkey breeding.
You said you invested in turkey breeding for fun, why did you move further to get another set of turkeys?
Someone saw the turkeys one day and said ‘wow! Turkeys, this is money’. I asked how it is money. And he told me his experience in turkey rearing. He said it is not only good, profitable and economical but also lucrative. I was convinced and developed interest in it. Then I set another batch of five eggs, the first set was a month older than the second set. Since I decided to continue, I used the style and experience with the first set for the other set and that made it easy and convenient for me to cope effectively with them because I am familiar with their problems.
What are the stages in turkey development?
Turkey, from day one to brooder stage, that is when you have complete physical baby turkey, a month old, the feathers to protect and make them to be able to withstand cold weather would have covered the body. A local turkey which is well brought up will be mature in five months. If it is female, it starts laying eggs because the female ones I have started laying eggs at five months. So the more they eat, the more they become big.  
Considering the time you devote in turkey breeding, how lucrative is the business?
 I bought five eggs of turkey at N150 per one. Now I sell grown turkey for N10,000 each. So to me, it is profitable. And that is why I will proceed with the business.   
How have you been able to cope with your studies and turkey breeding?
I do not have problem with my education, once I feed the turkeys I go for my lectures. But at a time when the turkeys are not alright, it is somehow hectic because one has to take them to the doctor for treatment. There was a time when fowl-pox was affecting them and it was during my exams. I was disturbed to the extent that I could not cope with all of them and that led to the death of some of the turkeys. Since I keep myself acquainted with turkey affairs, there are no much challenges.
What is your opinion of turkey?
Turkeys are simply unique birds that can become your best friend, your business and many more. Turkeys never smell and they are always interesting with the qualities they possess. When a turkey is happy, you see its feathers displayed in an elegant way. One surprising thing about turkey is that the female ones do not have to stay with male before they start laying eggs. I was surprised the first time I saw eggs in female turkeys’ cage – I said how come, because I separated female cage from male cage. It is only when the turkeys are not well that I dislike the situation.
What advice do you have for the youths?
My advice for the youths that are capable of mixing business with their studies is that they need to be very careful in selecting a specific work to do. They should find something highly interesting to do so as not to get tired along the line and to ensure it doesn’t affect their studies. They should not wait until they have huge amount of money before they can invest in a business. Above all, youths, generally, should pray for God’s guidance and support in anything they wish to engage in.