Production and Reproduction Performance of Turkey in Ampara District of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Turkey occupies an important position next to chicken as it significantly enrolls in augmenting the economic and nutritional status of varied population. This population is considered stagnated due to the absence of a comprehensive improvement and conservation strategy. In this context, a field investigation was carried out in different locations of Ampara district namely Sammanthurai, Ninthavur and Valathapitiya and Malwatta with the objective of evaluating the production and reproduction performance of turkey. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was administered to collect information for this study. A total of forty turkey rearing farms were randomly selected for field survey during the period from January, 2010 to May, 2010. The mean adult body weight was 3.4 ± 0.42Kg for males and 2.3 ± 0.37Kg for females. The results of the study further revealed that the mean monthly egg production and number of eggs per clutch were 24.37 ± 4.17 and 14.34 ±2.23 respectively. The mean clutch interval was 78.75 ± 42.23 days. Age at fist laying was 9.5 ±2.0 months with the production period of 22.5 ± 6.69 months. The mean egg weight recorded was 65.64 ± 4.21g. Mean hatchability observed was 87.55 ± 12.19 percent while the egg fertility was 93.33 ± 10 percent. The rainy season was the factor determining the success of hatchability and fertility. Farmers exhibited limited knowledge on Turkey farming and improved management through they have reared turkeys mainly for commercial purposes. Even though the farmers are having turkeys in small flocks, there is a great potential existing in these locations for Turkey production. Therefore, adequate government support and extension services should be provided to improve the turkey production in these locations