Turkey, originally native to the Americas, is a species of herbivorous, grain-saving, game, and rare birds. Although it has been introduced to China for not too long, its incubation techniques still require further research and refinement. Through years of practice and exploration, we have gathered some practical insights that may be useful for others in the field.
**(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 small ventilation holes placed in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area. The ideal conditions for egg preservation include:
(1) Temperature: 10–15°C. For eggs laid recently, they should be cooled for 24 hours before being stored. Within the first week, keep them at 15°C; after that, lower the temperature to 10–12°C.
(2) Humidity: 75–80%. Excess moisture can lead to mold.
(3) Turning the eggs: For eggs stored 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 storage period should not exceed 7–20 days.
**(II) Scientific Selection of Eggs**
(1) Visual inspection: Choose eggs that are medium-sized, oval-shaped, clean, shiny, and with uniform shell quality. The shell should be moderately hard and bright in color.
(2) Candling: Use a bright light to examine the eggs. Look for a small air cell, clear yolk, and even albumen. Avoid eggs with cracks, blood spots, or dark yolk colors.
(3) Internal examination: Open a few eggs to check. Fresh eggs should have thick albumen and an elevated yolk. If the albumen is thin and the yolk is flat, the egg may not be viable. The yolk-to-albumen ratio should be around 2:1.
**(III) Disinfection of Eggs**
After collection, eggs must be disinfected immediately and not left overnight in the house. Methods include formaldehyde fumigation, benzalkonium chloride, potassium permanganate, iodine solution, or ultraviolet light. This helps eliminate bacteria and increase hatching success and chick survival rates.
**(IV) Natural Hatching**
Small turkeys often build nests and lay eggs between 4–7 months a year, with about 15–22 eggs per nest. Choose a quiet, dimly lit, and stable-temperature area (such as a shed or indoor space). Use a wooden box or cardboard box filled with wood shavings to create a nest. Place around 20 eggs in the nest for natural incubation. The hen will take care of turning the eggs and feeding herself without human intervention. On days 5, 11, 18, and 25, check the eggs by candling and remove those that are not viable. If there are not enough good eggs, combine nests of hens with similar incubation periods to improve efficiency. The average hatching period is 26–28 days.
**(V) Artificial Hatching**
To boost turkey production, artificial incubation is also an effective method. Using the "Turkish Husband Wake-up Calling Method," hens exhibiting nesting behavior can be stimulated to lay more eggs, increasing their annual egg count from 80–120 to 150–190. Incubation guidelines include:
1. **Temperature**: Maintain 38–38.4°C for the first 18 days, 37.5–38°C for days 19–22, 37.2–37.5°C for days 23–25, and 36.8°C on hatch day.
2. **Egg Turning**: Turn eggs every 2 hours for the first 16 days, then once per hour from day 17 to 25. Do not turn eggs on day 26. Ensure gentle and steady movements.
3. **Humidity**: Keep humidity at 60–65% for the first 18 days, 55–60% for days 19–22, and 70–76% for days 23–26. Increase ventilation during the final days, ensuring no direct airflow on the eggs. Oxygen levels should be around 21%, and CO₂ below 0.5%.
4. **Stimulating Hatching**: After 28 days, if any eggs remain unhatched, apply high temperature and humidity. Spray the eggs daily and maintain a temperature of 38.2–38.5°C for better results.
**(VI) Post-Hatching Care**
When the eggs hatch between 26–28 days, many chicks will break out of their shells. Check the nests every 3–5 hours, gently deflating the umbilical cords. Remove the eggshells and place the chicks in a pre-prepared brooding area. Assist weak or thick-shelled embryos if necessary. If the shell is broken but less than 1/3, carefully make a small air hole and wait for natural hatching. For chicks that need help, handle them with care. If the umbilical cord bleeds, apply anti-inflammatory powder immediately.
Ce Anti-Dust Mask,Ce Certified Anti-Dust Mask,Anti-Dust Mask Disposable,Ffp3 Dust Face Mask
Suzhou Fangtian Industries Co., Ltd , https://www.fangtianmasks.com