Pantnagar Journal of Research

Abstract

Records pertaining to 600 nos. of Broad Breasted Bronze (Meleagris gallopavo) and Broad Breasted White variety of Turkey reared at farmers’ house under On Farm Trial (OFT) programme of KVK, Baksa; KVK, Nalbari and KVK, Dhemaji for 3 years were utilized to carry out the present study. Each of the sixty nos. of farmers reared 10 nos. of turkey birds under the OFT programme. The mean body weights (g) at 7^th days, 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, 6^th and 7^th month of age were 118.65±0.72, 325.78±0.22, 1064.47±0.49, 2113.76±0.66, 3577.93±2.95, 4920.85±3.11, 6847.56±4.13 and 9161.74±5.88, respectively. The average daily weight gain (g) during the period of 7^th days to 7^th month of age was 43.69±0.43. The average age at first egg was 213.99±3.02 days and average egg weight was found to be 71.36±0.71 g. The average annual egg production of Turkey birds was 98.25±0.54 nos. and average hatchability percentage in natural hatching was 62.80±0.72. The average dressing percentage was 68.85±0.75 and the average feed conversion ratio (FCR) during the period of 7^th days to 7^th month was 1.30±0.06. The average benefit cost ratio (B:C Ratio) of turkey birds reared for meat production was 3.35±0.03, thus it indicated rearing of turkey birds is a profitable venture.