Turkeys are usually raised in large barns. They are fed a diet of maize, soybeans, and other grains. They are also given antibiotics and other medications to treat diseases. Turkeys are usually slaughtered when they are six to
In fact, you can start Turkey Farming in Kenya for less than 10,000 shillings.
Most farmers prefer to raise a female turkey to maturity first, then buy a male or take one with them to mate.
A Turkey poult takes five to seven days to mature.
The hen can lay 6-10 eggs the first time when it reaches maturity. Once the breeding season begins, she remains in her eggs for 28 days before they hatch. A hen can lay a maximum of 15 eggs and sit on each of them.
You can choose to incubate the eggs naturally or artificially. Turkeys are good breeders and will hatch most of their eggs.
However, for better hatchability chances and healthy poults, select clean eggs with a good eggshell and shape for artificial brooding. You can do this using infrared lamps, a gas brooder, or traditional brooding systems.
Be sure to separate the turkey’s poults (chicks) from the hens, as they don't care much for them and can step on them.
Step-by-Step; Turkey Farming in Kenya
Choosing the Types of Turkey Breeds - Turkey farming in Kenya
There are several breeds of turkeys available around the world. But not all of these breeds are sufficiently suitable for commercial meat production.
You can only raise a few of these breeds on your farm for meat production. For profitable meat production, you need to use some modern breeds of turkeys bred for commercial meat production.
This type of turkey breed has a maximum conversion rate from feed to meat. They consume less food and turn it into meat in a very short time.
1. Broad Breasted White Turkey - Turkey farming in Kenya
When it comes to domestic turkeys in Kenya, the broad-breasted white turkey is the most common. Intentionally bred with white feathers to prevent discoloration under the skin, these birds are known to produce substantial amounts of breast and thigh meat, naturally making them a popular choice in the commercial market
When it comes to domestic turkeys farming in Kenya, the broad-breasted white turkey is the most common. Intentionally bred with white feathers to prevent discoloration under the skin, these birds are known to produce substantial amounts of breast and thigh meat, naturally making them a popular choice in the commercial market.
The Broad-Breasted White Turkey is such a modern breed of turkey for commercial production. Meat produced by raising this breed on pasture on a small farm will be tastier and tastier than meat produced on a commercial farm.
The basic plumage color is black, not bronze. Females have black breast feathers with white tips, which help determine sex from 12 weeks. This modern, fast-growing bird has plenty of breast meat, usually two to four times the amount of breast meat of a wild turkey. They reach a clothed weight of 7 to 11 kg in about 24 weeks.
Broad Breasted White Turkey is a cross between Bronze Breasted Board and White Holland with white feathers. Turkeys with white plumage are suitable for hot climates as they have better heat tolerance and also look nice and clean after dressing.
In natural mating, the male to female ratio is 1:5 for medium type turkeys and 1:3 for large type turkeys. On average, 40-50 turkeys are expected from each breeding hen. Turkey male (Toms) are rarely used for mating after the first year due to reduced fertility. Turkey male (Toms) tend to develop an affinity for a particular woman, so change your tone every 15 days.
2. Red Bourbons Turkey - Turkey farming in Kenya
When you picture the classic Thanksgiving turkey illustration, a Bourbon Red is probably the bird that comes to mind. Beautifully red with white tail feathers, these birds are one of the most popular heritage breeds due to their full flavor and delicious, tender meat. They are native to Kentucky and can weigh between 12 and 23 pounds.
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3. Bronze Standard Turkey - Turkey farming in Kenya
Some describe Standard Bronze as stately and imposing. It may have something to do with the fact that they are among the largest traditional breeds of turkeys. Before they are fully mature, these birds can weigh an impressive 25 pounds. A cross between wild turkeys and domesticated turkeys from Europe, these are some of the most commonly bred commercial meat birds.
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Starting a Turkey Farm in Kenya
Land and Housing: When establishing a turkey farming in Kenya, the most important resources are land, a water source, and housing for the turkeys. Most farmers have free access to land. Other farmers also have homes that they reuse to raise turkeys.
Free-Range: In this system, turkeys can roam freely in search of food and only return to shelter at night or when it rains. It is profitable because farmers do not spend as much money on food as in other systems. Most breeds of turkeys have the ability to shed food.
Barn Production: Stable production consists of raising turkeys in a closed shed. The birds are permanently confined in the enclosure and provided with everything necessary. This system is better than the free-range system because the turkeys grow evenly. Interactions with foreign herds are also limited, reducing outbreaks.
Step One: Getting Started - Turkey farming in Kenya
As with any other business in Turkey farming in Kenya the first step is to conduct a thorough feasibility study on the potential of this opportunity. You can talk to farmers who are already raising turkeys for commercial purposes.
The easiest and cheapest way to get started with turkeys is to buy day-old turkeys. Another way is to buy turkeys and a tom (adult male turkey). Either way, the goal is to have a vibrant flock of turkeys.
You can also go to the nearest agricultural office (municipal or national) for more information. Also take this opportunity to familiarize yourself with the potential market and identify any challenges you are likely to encounter.
Step Two: Build Simple Structures - Turkey farming in Kenya
You will need to build a chicken coop (chicken coop) a little larger than the one for the hens. Also build another smaller structure to house the young turkeys (poults) after they hatching.
Note: Turkeys poults should be kept warmer and cleaner than mature turkeys.
Step Three: Buy Turkeys - Turkey farming in Kenya
You can start by buying three turkeys, two females and one male (tom). A 2 month old turkey is currently Ksh 1,000. Note: A 1/8 acre lot can hold 30-40 mature turkeys.
You can start a small farm of three turkeys with 10,000 Ksh. However, as your flock grows, you will need to invest more in building coops and providing food.
Farmers advise that the cheapest way to start raising turkeys is to buy day-old birds. You can contact Sigona Poultry Farm or Nyonjoro Nightingale in Naivasha for this.
Step Four: Invest In Food - Turkey farming in Kenya
Turkeys need high-protein feed to mature quickly and stay healthy. You can prepare a mixture of cornmeal with ground omena in addition to other rations that you can buy at the nearest agro-veterinarian.
Approximately 3.25 kg of feed is needed to produce 1 kg of live weight turkey.
One feeder and one drinker are needed for 25 birds. Start your turkeys with starter mash. Make sure there is enough starter mash in the feeders and that the turkeys have fresh, clean water at all times.
By week 10, the turkey should be ready to go from starter mash to grower mash. Include grit and continue to mash twice a week. The turkey will also need to add vegetables and other foods to its diet.
In the intensive system, vegetables can constitute up to 50% of the total diet based on dry flour. Fresh Lucerne is a premium green food for turkeys of all ages.
Foods like cracked corn maize grain and soy beans are also great options. Other supplements like vitamins and minerals should be added as needed. This will ensure that they stay healthy and grow smoothly.
To prevent leg weakness and lameness in free-ranging birds, calcium should be supplemented at the rate of 250 g per week per I form of oyster-shell. Ten percent of feed can be replaced with plant residues to reduce feed cost.
Turkeys are very good scavengers and consume earthworms, small insects, snails, kitchen scraps and termites, all of which are high in protein, which can reduce the cost of feeding by fifty percent.
Make sure they have fresh water at all times and are well fed. The water must be at body temperature to prevent the turkeys from cooling down.
Note; A turkey consumes about 40 kg of feed from the first day to six months. You can consume more if you limit yourself to a chicken coop. They measure between four and five kilos.
Step Four: Keep Your Turkeys Healthy - Turkey farming in Kenya
The 2 month old turkeys you buy will take another 4 months to reach full maturity and start laying. To keep them in good condition, you will need to invest in vaccines and antibiotics.
Common illnesses faced by these birds include: mycoplasmas (sneezing), coccidiosis, blackheads and bleeding from enteritis, all of which can be treated by an avian veterinarian in your area. Health
Be aware of the common health problems that turkeys face so you can be prepared when your turkeys get sick. Turkeys in the free range system are highly susceptible to poultry parasites. Hence deworming and dipping once a month is essential to improve the growth of the birds.
Note: Do not mix turkeys with chicken.
Turkey Vaccination Schedule
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Vaccination Schedule |
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Day Old |
New Castle Disease – B1 Strain |
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4th & 5th Week |
Fowl Pox |
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6th Week |
New Castle Disease – (R2B) |
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8 – 10 Week |
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Cholera Vaccine |
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Best Turkey's Farming Practices
De-beaking Turkey.
Turkeys Poults must be debeaked to control feather pecking and cannibalism. Debeaking can be done at day of age or at 3 to 5 weeks of age. Remove the beak halfway from the nostril to the tip of the beak.
De-Snooding.
The removal the snood or dew bill is done to prevent head injuries from pecking and fighting. This is done when they have a day by pressing the thumb or fingernail. At 3 weeks of age, it can be cut close to the head with sharp scissors.
Toe Clipping.
Toe trimming is done day-of-age by removing the tip of the toe in the outermost pad, including the entire nail.
Catch and Handle Turkeys
Using a pole, move the turkeys to a dark room where they can be lifted on both legs without injury. Mature turkeys should not be hung for more than 3-4 minutes.
Turkey Marketing in Kenya
The dressing percentage of turkey is 80-87%, which is the highest of all farm species.
Market research shows that a 24-week-old male turkey weighing between 10 and 20 kg sells for an average of Kshs 500 per kg and can go a little higher during the Christmas period. The net income from a turkey is quite substantial.
Along with the necessary knowledge of raising turkeys, you must know the aspects of the business, including finance and marketing. Turkey earns three to four times more income than chicken.
The demand for turkey in Kenya is high in restaurants and upscale areas. As a producer, you need to identify your target market. Most of the time, the market will be your immediate neighbors or a nearby town. Also ask the best hotels and other supermarkets if they would buy your products. Even better, you can export your turkey to other urban centers.
Reap the Benefits of Turkey Farming in Kenya
A hen lays 15 eggs over a period of one month and takes 28 days to hatch with 80% to 90% hatchability. Assuming your two females lay and hatch successfully, your flock will grow to 25 turkeys.
If you have enough space, you can raise more turkeys. An eighth of an acre can accommodate up to 40 turkeys. In a month, a turkey can lay about 15 eggs. The incubation period for turkey eggs is 28 days and they have an 80% to 90% hatch rate.
You can leave the turkey on the eggs or use artificial incubation for an additional fee. An egg goes between Kshs. Sixty-five Ksh. one hundred and fifty.
But if you are not willing to sell the eggs, you can wait a month or two and sell the turkeys for Kshs. 1,000 to 1,500. The selling price of a kilo of turkey meat is between 650 and 800 Kenyan shillings. When you sell a mature turkey, you can earn Kshs. 5,000 for hen and Kshs. 6,000 for a tom.
You can sell some and keep others. A 2 month old turkey costs Ksh 1,000, while an adult turkey (6 months) costs between 4,000 and 6,000 Ksh.
Smart Tips.
• Keep a male to female ratio of 1:3, the best species is Heritage Turkeys
• Separate the puppies from the mother during the day
• Birds should always be kept in a warm room
• Vaccinations and general health are an important part of raising turkeys.
• Wider is available at select markets such as Village Market, Enashipai, Fairmont the Norfolk and supermarkets such as Tuksys.
• Do not invest until you have completed a feasibility study.
• Do not mix turkeys with chicken to avoid cross infection.
• Do not compromise the quality of food and cooperatives.
Main Risks in a Turkey Farming in Kenya.
Feed Cost: The biggest production expense in raising turkeys is feed. Poultry and feed prices have risen steadily over the years. Poultry buyers, on the other hand, adamantly refuse to pay additional costs to reflect increased production costs. This affects farmers' profit margins.
Diseases: Diseases are a major challenge for turkey farmers. Turkeys experience the highest mortality rate among all age groups of turkeys. Common diseases of turkeys include fowl pox, fowl cholera, fowl typhoid, blue comb and roundworm infections.
Conclusion.
Turkey farming in Kenya is a rare type of business idea as it requires small amounts of capital to set up and a bit of innovation to grow. So if you want to invest but have no idea which way to go, this could easily be your best bet in 2023.
Adult turkeys weigh around 7 kilos and can sell for Ksh 5,000 per bird. Turkey eggs can be sold for Ksh65 - Ksh100. On average, you can earn Ksh 20,000 per month on a small farm that requires Ksh 10,000 to set up.
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F.A.Q
Is turkey farming profitable in Kenya?
Yes, turkey farming in kenya is very profitable, The selling price of a kilo of turkey meat is between 650 and 800 Kenyan shillings. When you sell a mature turkey, you can earn Kshs. 5,000 for hen and Kshs. 6,000 for a tom.
How many months does it take turkey to grow in Kenya?
Market research shows that a 24-week-old male turkey weighing between 10 and 20 kg sells for an average of Kshs 500 per kg and can go a little higher during the Christmas period.
How can I make my turkey grow faster?
When raising turkeys in hot areas, it can be beneficial to feed them primarily or exclusively in the afternoon in order to increase growth rate, feed utilization, carcass and meat quality.p>
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