TURKEY

GROUP 6
Meleagris gallopavo
HISTORY
The recorded history of the turkey spans
about 500 years. Turkeys originated in North
America, were domesticated in Europe, and
are now an important source of food in many
parts of the world.
DIFFERENT NAMES BASED ON THEIR
GENDER AND AGE:

Male turkeys = GOBBLERS

Female turkeys = HENS
Young male turkeys = JAKES
Young female turkeys = JENNIES
ANATOMY
A turkey has a wattle under its
beak and fleshy growths on the
head and neck called caruncles. A
male turkey, or a Tom, has a tuft of
long, bristle-like fibers attached to
the breast, This tuft is referred to as
a beard. Like chickens.
CHROMOSOME NUMBER OF TURKEY

The chromosomes in the somatic cells of the

turkey agree in number with the chromosomes
in the somatic cells of the duck. These
"appear to be 76 chromosomes for the male
and 77 chromosomes for the female.
INCUBATION PERIOD
Once all the eggs have been laid, the hen
will incubate them, day and night, for about
28 days.
 MATING
After she's in a crouching position, the tom will
stand on top of the hen and mate. Both toms and
hens have cloaca, which is the opening that leads
to their reproductive organs. Sperm transfers from
the tom's cloaca to the hen's cloaca. This happens
within minutes, and then the hen prepares herself
to nest.
 STATUS IN MODERN TIMES
Today's turkeys are a lot bigger and faster-
growing. They're also more sickly. According to
Mother Jones, turkeys of the 1930s were, on
average, 13.2 pounds. As of 2014, an average turkey
weighed in at a whopping 29.8 pounds — more than
twice as big. The males grew so heavy that they
couldn't even mate with hens any longer.
 TURKEY MEAT PRODUCTION
The United States remains the largest turkey
meat producing country worldwide, accounting for
43% of total volume. Moreover, turkey meat
production in the United States exceeded the
figures recorded by the second-largest producer,
Brazil, fivefold. The third position in this ranking
was held by Germany, with a 7.8% share.
TURKEY MEAT PRODUCTION
The most prominent rate of growth was recorded
in 2013 when the turkey production volume
increased by 34%. the total production indicated
resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its value
increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% over
the last nine years.
RATIO OF MALE AND FEMALE

In natural mating the male; female ratio is 1:5

for medium type turkeys and 1:3 for large types.
On an average 40-50 poults is expected form each
breeder hen.
 FEEDING MANAGEMENT OF TURKEYS
:
The methods of feeding are mash feeding and
pellet feeding. The energy, protein, vitamin and
mineral requirements for turkeys are high when
compared to chicken. Since the energy and protein
requirements for the both sexes vary they must be
reared separately for better results.
BREEDS:
BRONZE TURKEY
The Bronze is a breed of domestic turkey. The name
refers to its plumage, which bears an iridescent bronze-
like sheen. The Bronze had been the most popular
turkey throughout most of
American history, but waned
in popularity beginning in
the mid-20th century.
BREEDS:
WHITE HOLLAND
The White Holland is an old variety of domestic turkey
known for its white plumage. The White Holland, whose
connection to the Netherlands
is unsubstantiated, originated
from crosses of white European
Turkeys imported to North
America and crossed with
native birds.
 BREEDS:
NARRAGANSETT TURKEY
A breed of Meleagris gallopavo which descends
from a cross between the eastern wild turkey and
the domestic turkey. According to the American
Livestock Breeds Conservancy,
the Narragansett turkey is a
"historic variety, unique to
North America" and is named
for Narragansett Bay.
BREEDS:

BROAD BREASTED WHITE

Commercially the most widely
used breed of domesticated
turkey. These birds have shorter
breast bones and larger breasts,
sometimes rendering them
unable to breed without human
assistance.