Turkeys' meat is truly enjoyed and valued world wide due to its nutritive food values present in it and the fact that it has a higher flesh to bone ratio. Some of the nutritive values include vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, zinc, proteins, calories and fat etc. And this is one of the major reasons as to why they are pricey in Uganda. Some of the varieties of turkey include; Beltsville, bronze, bourdon red, slate turkey, white Holland and many more.
Health benefits of consuming turkey meat
After consuming turkey meat, the proteins help maintain muscle mass (bodybuilding), stabilize insulin levels, maintain brain power, increase red blood cells, prevent cancer, boosts the immune system, good for pregnant women, improves on mood and so much more.
Turkey chicks
Turkey chicks are a bit hard to rear especially with in the first few weeks after hatching and this is the main reason why most people do not rear them. The chicks are so fragile in the first weeks due to their immune system and need a lot of care to the extent that even the slightest cold can harm and lead to their death and this is one of the reasons as to why they are expensive. Therefore extreme care and patience must be exercised when taking up this type of business to rear turkeys.
You may boost the chick's immune system by vaccinating them, disinfectant and clean their houses as often as possible, keep the chicks in doors until they are fully vaccinated because they are at a high risk of catching infections.
How much turkeys may cost in Uganda
A pair ( male and female) of 8 weeks turkeys when fully vaccinated can cost about Ugandan shillings 70,000
A fully grown female turkey may cost about Ugandan shillings 80,000 depending on the size and health.
A fully grown male turkey may cost about Ugandan shillings 100,000 to 130,000 depending on the size and health.
How you can rear your turkeys cheaply on free range
The good thing about turkeys, they have a big appetite for any food and can eat about any thing from your kitchen, such as leftovers, vegetable waste, peelings. Turkeys can consume grass growing on the ground, leaves from short trees, small stones, maize, rice, ground nuts and so much more. This is the good thing about rearing rearing turkeys on free range at home cause you incur less on feeds. So why not start rearing your turkey now and earn money as your side income.
Problems associated with rearing turkeys
They tend to become a pest to your garden, so make sure you keep them out of reach in your garden or else they'll eat each and every short crop in your garden.
They can easily be attacked by dogs if not watched carefully
If they walk too far from where they stay, they tend to get lost and never return, so make sure you keep them around within your compound by availing food and water within their reach.
Turkey chicks are too fragile and can easily be attacked by diseases hence they need alot of care.
TIP: when constructing your turkeys' house make sure the room is big and spacious, enough for them to stretch and swing their wings since they are big birds in size.
This was so helpful, thanx..
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