Turkeys for Meat

Question 1

what type of housing do these turkeys live in

Answer 1

• litter confinement housing
• brooding and rearing barns
• more frequent not all in all out

Question 2

what same issues apply to meat turkeys

Answer 2

• light
• ammonia
• ventilation

Question 3

what is the life cycle of a turkey

Answer 3

• day old poults go to turkey producers
• most meat turkeys are slaughtered before 12 weeks
• some are kept until 22 weeks, these ones are for processing if whole

Question 4

why is turkey consumption per capita not increasing

Answer 4

• harder to cook then chicken
• more expensive
• a holiday bird

Question 5

TF turkeys are less feed efficient than broilers

Answer 5

True

Question 6

why do turkey producers need two barns

Answer 6

• one for young (smaller feeders and drinkers)
• one for older
• this is because they grow so big

Question 7

are sexy raised seperatrly

Answer 7

yes

Question 8

what is the diet of a turkey

Answer 8

• fed pellets or crumbles for fast growth
• need more nutrients than broilers, as they are growing bigger
• 5-6 diets
• gives less protein as bird ages, saves money for producers by having different diets

Question 9

why should turkeys drink before eating

Answer 9

• they will forget to drink water and die

Question 10

what needs to happen for birds to eat

Answer 10

• attract birds to feeders =, using shiny things/lights
• high light intensity for first week encourages feed

Question 11

what type of bedding is best for turkeys

Answer 11

shaving, prevents leg deformities

Question 12

what is wet litter influenced by

Answer 12

• nutrition
• drinker issue
• mister
• bird density
• diseases
• bad ventilation
• weather

Question 13

what type of issue can wet litter caused by fecal matter

Answer 13

• enteritis

Question 14

what is a breast button

Answer 14

• fluid filled blister
• caused by wet litter

Question 15

how can high sodium in water be corrected

Answer 15

• lowering sodium levels in feed

Question 16

why do we provide misters in poulltry systems

Answer 16

• cool off birds
• reduce dusyiness

Question 17

what is the difference in pay between broiler producers and turkey producers

Answer 17

• broiler = paid by bird number and weights
• turkey = paid by weight and grading of their birds

Question 18

how are turkeys downgraded

Answer 18

• wing damage = catching, long lairage times
• bruising
• scratching = toe trimming, handling
  -blisters
• breast buttons

Question 19

what is toe treatment and who is it performed on

Answer 19

• infrared trimming of teo, reduces scratching in hens
• no difference in toms because they dont do this behaviour

Question 20

what are negative effects of infrared toe trimming

Answer 20

• may cause some pain
• reduces balance
• infection can cause mortality
• rest more, stand less and walk less within first 3 days of treatment

Question 21

TF turkeys have more bruising then chickens

Answer 21

T

Question 22

what do the different bruises look like

Answer 22

• new are bright red
• old are purple and green

Question 23

what should you do if there is nots of new bruises

Answer 23

• recheck catching and handling for slaughter
• can cut off bruise area but will effect the price

Question 24

how can you tell if the bone was broken before death

Answer 24

• if there are blood clots
• you will see no blood clotting if break is after death

Question 25

what can cause breast blisters/buttons

Answer 25

• trimming of breast skin and occasionally breast meat
• related to wet litter and exposure to ammonia
• can also be related to leg disorders or poor bird mobility (lighting program)

Question 26

what is coccidiosis

Answer 26

protozoan infection, attacks and destroys intestine
- blood infeces

Question 27

what is histomoniasis

Answer 27

• blackhead
• necrotic foci of the liver and ulceration of the caeca
• north american birds are susceptible
• transmission = caecal worms and earthworms are accessory hosts
• treatment = internal confinement housing / chemotherapy

Question 28

what is PSE

Answer 28

pale soft exudative breast meat
- pale in colour
- low ph
- catn hold water
- rapid drop in ph and high muscle temerature
= stress and electrical stunning can cause PSE

Question 29

how can you reduce pre slaughter stress

Answer 29

• improving transport conditions
• provide adequate rest period following transport
• provide proper lairage conditions
• minimising struggle during capture handling and hanging on the shackle line
• rapid chilling after death

Question 30

how are turkeys put on a truck

Answer 30

they are walked on