JOIN USWhile farmers in debt trap due to crop loss are a dejected lot, here is a success story of a farmer breeding turkeys as an alternative profession.
Suresh, of Mallegowdanakoppalu of the taluk is the farmer who has bred 200 turkeys in the last nine months. Out of these, 70 turkeys lay eggs, which are priced at Rs 23 to Rs 30 apiece in the market. A pair of birds themselves are priced Rs 500.
A female turkey lays eggs continuously for 40 to 42 days. The size of the eggs are a little bigger than the hybrid eggs laid by chicken.
Suresh said that turkey breeding did not require a big investment, and added that around 100 turkeys could be reared with an investment of Rs 50,000. The turkey meat is sold at Rs 300 to Rs 350 in the market and there is great demand for the same.
Turkeys feed on fresh grass, greens, maize, soya and others grains. Vegetables helped fatten up the birds, said Suresh.
He said that a shed of 20 x 60 ft was sufficient for rearing 100 birds. Care should be taken to keep the birds warm during winter.