Turkey is originally native to the Americas and is classified as a herbivorous, grain-saving, game, and rare bird species. Although it has been introduced to China for not too long, its incubation techniques still require further research and exploration. After years of practical experience and continuous learning, we have gathered some basic insights that we would like to share with you for reference.
**(I) Egg Preservation**
The egg storage room should be well-insulated, dust-free, and free from pests such as mosquitoes, flies, and mice. It should also avoid direct sunlight and drafts. A common method is to use cardboard boxes with multiple ventilation holes, placed in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area. The following conditions are essential:
1. **Temperature**: Maintain 10–15°C. For eggs laid within the first week, keep them at 15°C for 24 hours before moving them to 10–12°C. Do not place freshly laid eggs directly into the storage room.
2. **Humidity**: Keep it between 75% and 80%. Excessive humidity may lead to mold.
3. **Egg Turning**: If eggs are stored for more than a week, turn them 1–2 times daily, rotating them 45–90 degrees each time.
4. **Positioning**: Always place the eggs with the pointed end up. The maximum storage time should not exceed 20 days.
**(II) Scientific Selection of Eggs**
1. **External Inspection**: Choose eggs of moderate size, oval shape, clean surface, uniform shell quality, and bright color. The shell should be moderately hard.
2. **Candling**: Use a bright light to inspect the eggs. A small air cell, clear yolk, and uniform albumen indicate good quality. Avoid eggs with cracks, blood spots, or dark-colored yolks.
3. **Internal Inspection**: Open a few eggs to check. Fresh eggs have thick albumen and an elevated yolk. A 2:1 ratio of yolk to albumen is ideal.
**(III) Disinfection of Eggs**
After collection, eggs should be disinfected immediately and not left overnight. Common methods include formaldehyde fumigation, benzalkonium chloride, potassium permanganate, iodine solution, and ultraviolet light. These help eliminate microorganisms, reduce embryo mortality, and improve hatching and chick survival rates.
**(IV) Natural Hatching**
Small turkeys are strong in nesting behavior and can build nests 4–7 times a year, laying 15–22 eggs per nest. Choose a quiet, dimly lit, and temperature-stable location (such as a shed or indoor space). Construct a 50cm x 30cm x 20cm nesting box using bricks or a large cardboard box filled with wood shavings. Place about 20 eggs in the nest and let the mother turkey hatch naturally. Monitor the nest for 10–20 minutes daily, without manually turning the eggs. On day 5, 11, 18, and 25, candle the eggs and remove those that are not viable. If the number of viable eggs is low, combine nests with similar incubation periods to increase efficiency. The average hatching period is 26–28 days.
**(V) Artificial Hatching**
To improve productivity, artificial hatching can be used. Combined with the "Turkish Husband Wake-up Calling Method," hens with nesting behavior can be stimulated to lay more eggs, increasing annual egg production from 80–120 to 150–190. Incubation measures include:
1. **Temperature**:
- Days 1–18: 38–38.4°C
- Days 19–22: 37.5–38°C
- Days 23–25: 37.2–37.5°C
- Day 26–28: 36.8°C
2. **Egg Turning**:
- Turn every 2 hours for the first 16 days, rotating 40–45 degrees each time.
- From day 17–25, turn once per hour.
- Do not turn on day 26; position the large end upward.
- Turn 1–3 times daily for 5–10 minutes, reducing temperature to 33–35°C.
3. **Humidity and Ventilation**:
- Humidity: 60–65% for days 1–18, 55–60% for days 19–22, and 70–76% for days 23–26.
- Ensure proper ventilation, avoiding direct airflow. Oxygen content should be 21%, and COâ‚‚ below 0.5%.
4. **Stimulating Hatching**:
- On day 28, use high temperature and humidity to stimulate hatching. Spray the eggs daily, maintaining a temperature of 38.2–38.5°C for optimal results.
**(VI) Post-Hatching Care**
After 26–28 days, many eggs will hatch. The brooder should check the nests every 3–5 hours, deflating umbilical cords appropriately. Remove the shells and place the chicks in a pre-prepared brooding area. Assist weak or thick-shelled embryos if necessary. If the shell is broken less than one-third, carefully open a small vent and wait for natural hatching. For weak chicks, handle with care and apply anti-inflammatory powder if there is bleeding.
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