Current status, reproductive performance, and health management of turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) breeds under farming systems in Bangladesh

Abstract: This study was conducted to investigate the present status, reproductive performance, and health management of commercial turkey farms in Bangladesh. Thirty-three farmers were interviewed with a structured questionnaire. Males operated 96.97% of farms, of them 48.48 % farmers were between the age of 31 to 40 and 48.48% hold a bachelor’s degree. Turkey raising was secondary to other jobs, 51.51% farmers were in business, 39.39% in paid service, and 6.06% were students. No farmers had previous experience in turkey farming and only 3.04 % read relevant literature. American Black (33.33%) and White Holland (24.25%) were the leading breeds. Mixed enterprises combining meat, egg, and poult production dominated (42.42%), followed by hatcheries (27.27%), meat farms (18.18%), and layers (12.12%). Daily production averaged 32.27±0.96 eggs/farms weighing 63.94±0.93 g. Birds were marketed at the age of 5.75±0.27 months, with mean undressed and dressed weights of 8.77±0.40 kg and 6.23±0.29 kg, respectively. Among the hatcheries, 70.58% achieved fertility rates and 58.82% achieved hatchability rates within the range of 81-90%. Although no farm used commercial turkey rations, 90.91% prepared their own mixed diets; pellets were used by only 3.04%. All farmers routinely added medications to feed/water and vaccinated birds. Diseases were prevalent in every farm, headed by turkey pox (51.51%), Newcastle disease (21.21%), mycoplasmosis (15.15%), and fowl cholera (12.13%). Economically, 81.81% reported no profit and 78.78% planned to quit due to high feed prices, poor technical support, weak marketing, and volatile prices. Targeted government interventions such as farmer training, provision of quality feed, and development of stable market channels could transform turkey farming into a sustainable source of income for unemployed youth and marginalized women of Bangladesh. 

Keywords: Turkey, status, reproduction, health, disease, economics