Turkey hens are female domesticated turkeys that are raised for their meat and eggs. They are an important part of the poultry industry and have been bred specifically for commercial production.
Basic Facts About Turkey Hens
Here are some basic facts about turkey hens:
- Turkey hens typically weigh between 10-25 pounds when fully grown.
- They have white or bronze-colored feathers.
- Commercial turkey hens start laying eggs around 6-7 months old.
- Turkey hens can lay 80-100 eggs per year.
- Their eggs are tan or speckled and larger than chicken eggs.
- Turkey hens are ready for slaughter at around 4-5 months old.
- Popular turkey hen breeds include Broad Breasted Whites, Bourbon Reds, Narragansetts, and Standard Bronze.
Raising Turkey Hens
Turkey hens require specific care and housing to thrive:
- Turkey hens need plenty of space – a minimum of 10 square feet per bird.
- They are typically housed in large barns or free-range pastures.
- Turkey hens eat a high-protein feed made up of corn, soybeans, and other grains.
- Adequate ventilation, lighting, and temperature control is important.
- Biosecurity measures should be in place to prevent disease.
- Turkey hens need access to feeders and waterers designed for their size.
- Nest boxes and perches should be provided for natural behavior.
Turkey Hen Egg Production
Here are some key points about turkey hen egg production:
- Turkey hens lay larger but fewer eggs than chickens – usually 80-100 per year.
- Peak laying occurs in the spring.
- Turkey hen eggs hatch in 28 days.
- Turkey hens occasionally go broody and will sit on a nest of eggs.
- In commercial operations, eggs are artificially incubated.
- Turkey hen eggs are used for hatching poults (young turkeys) and as food.
This table compares turkey hen egg production to chicken egg production:
Trait | Turkey Hen Egg | Chicken Egg |
---|---|---|
Size | 2.5-3 ounces | 1.5-2 ounces |
Color | Tan or speckled | White or brown |
Number per year | 80-100 | 200-300 |
Incubation period | 28 days | 21 days |
Raising Turkey Hens for Meat
Here are some key points about raising turkey hens for meat production:
- Commercial turkey hens are ready for processing at 16-19 weeks old.
- They are usually slaughtered between 14-26 pounds live weight.
- Younger hens produce more tender meat.
- Older hens have stronger egg production.
- Turkey hens yield around 70% dressed carcass.
- The meat is sold as whole birds or cut-up parts.
- Turkey hens have higher protein content than chicken but less fat.
- Popular turkey cuts include breast, thigh, drumstick, and wing.
The growth rate of turkey hens allows them to reach ideal market weights quickly. Their lean meat and large size make them economical for commercial meat production.
Common Health Issues
Some common health issues seen in turkey hens include:
- Blackhead disease – a parasitic infection that causes liver damage.
- Poult enteritis complex – affects poults and causes diarrhea.
- Avian influenza – a contagious viral respiratory disease.
- Histomoniasis – a protozoal disease that impacts liver and cecum.
- Heat stress – turkeys are susceptible to heat stroke.
- Foot and leg problems – can affect mobility and weight gain.
- Reproductive diseases – can impact egg production.
Preventative biosecurity, proper nutrition, and vaccination programs are important to control disease in turkey flocks. Rapid treatment is necessary when any illness appears.
Benefits of Turkey Hens
Here are some of the main benefits of raising turkey hens:
- High lean meat yields for efficient protein production.
- Lower feed costs compared to chickens.
- Produce large eggs for hatching replacement poults.
- Can utilize pasture and forage areas well.
- Greater disease resistance than chickens in some cases.
- Intelligent and social behaviors compared to other poultry.
- Lower maintenance costs than chickens in free-range systems.
Turkey hens are a valuable poultry species thanks to their excellent productivity, meat qualities, maternal instincts, and hardy health in non-confined settings.
Conclusion
In summary, turkey hens are a commercially important type of poultry raised for egg and meat production. They have been selectively bred to reach market weights quickly and lay large numbers of eggs. Proper housing, feeding, and health management are required to keep turkey hens thriving. Their high productivity and lean meat make turkey hens a profitable livestock species for farmers. With proper care and husbandry, turkey hens can be an efficient addition to a diversified farm or a specialized large-scale turkey operation.