Basic Husbandry for Turkeys
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Agdex#: | 453 |
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Publication Date: | 02/93 |
Order#: | 93-039 |
Last Reviewed: | 06/00 |
History: | Original Factsheet |
Written by: | Diane Spratt - Poultry Specialist/OMAFRA |
Table of Contents
Criteria | Norms During Growth | Norms After Maturity | Trouble Shooting Checklist |
---|---|---|---|
Temperature (At birds height) |
Under Brooders Day Old - 1 week: 35°C 1-2: 32°C 2-3: 29°C 3-4: 27°C 4-5: 21-24°C |
Room Temperature 21-22°C |
Too High: pasty cloacas, spreading and flapping, crowding
away from heat source Too Low: feather ruffling, huddling and piling near heat source |
Ammonia (P.P.M.) | Maximum: 25 ppm (see next page) | Maximum: 25 ppm | Too High: eye burns, higher incidence of breast blisters - leg problems |
Air Movement | 0.11 m3 per minute per kg live bird or 2.75-3.0 cfm per kg live bird |
0.11 m3 per minute per kg live bird or 2.75-3.0 cfm per Kg live bird |
Poor: high ammonia levels, wet, caked litter, Respiratory
problems, increased foot problems, poor growth because of wet litter (see next page) |
Lighting | First 5 Days: 50 lux After 1 week: adequate light for feeding and activity |
Daylight Interval Intensity must be 10 X greater than DARK interval to ensure good production levels |
Too High: cannibalism, flighty, nervous behaviour Too Low: poor intakes, poor growth and feed conversion |
Feeder Space (per bird) - ad lib Water Trough (per bird) |
0.4 wks. - 3.5 cm 4-12 wks. - 8.0 cm |
12 weeks - mature Feed - 10-12 cm Water - 10-12 cm |
Too Small: poor intakes, poor growth and starveouts |
Density - Floor or Cage Space |
Hens |
Hens 12-16 weeks 16-20 weeks at least 0.3 m2/bird Toms 12-16 weeks 16-20 weeks at least 0.4 m2/bird |
Too Dense: feather picking, cannibalism, more injuries, more health problems, poorer carcasses or lower feed efficiency, wet litter - leg problems |
Handy Hints
Humans can detect the smell of ammonia at 7 p.p.m.
When human eyes are affected (watering/burning), ammonia levels are at least 20 p.p.m.
Fan Diameter in Inches | Fan Capacity, CFM |
---|---|
8 | 200 |
10 | 400 |
12 | 1000 |
14 | 1500 |
16 | 2000 |
18 | 3000 |
20 | 4000 |
24 | 5000 |
30 | 7000 |
36 | 10000 |
Figure 1. Guideline: Lamping Requirements for Poultry Chart. Shows Number of Square Feet per 60 Watt Bulb. Peter Nicholas, Energy Advisor - Agriculture, Ontario Hydro
Example (Real Barn):
A maintained light level of 20 lux may be achieved by using one standard 60W/120V incandescent bulb for every 200 square feet of floor space, or by using one long-life 60W/130V incandescent bulb for every 120 square feet of floor space in a dark barn.
Example (Research Lab):
A white clean room will have 40 lux with about one lamp
per 280 square feet, or about 20 lux if one bulb per 560 square feet is
used.
- Save Energy: Use 9 Watt to 11 Watt compact fluorescent lamps instead of 60 Watt/130 Volt incandescent bulbs
- Save Energy: Use 13 Watt to 15 Watt compact fluorescent lamps instead of 60 Watt/120 Volt incandescent bulbs
For more information:
Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300
E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca