Productive behavior of a flock of backyard domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) raised in totally confined conditions

Abstract

Was carried out a trial of the productive performance of a group of 67 mexican native domestic turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) that were obtained from 87 eggs whit 77.07% of hatching. The egg weight was 78.34±6.9 gr; the one day weight of poults was 66.07 ±15.6 gr and the incubation period was of 28±1.2 days. The starting weight was similar between sexes (p>.05) and at end of 22 weeks males showed more weight than the hens (4576±272 vs 3019.28±379.81 gr) (p<.001). Feed ratio was 4.58 kg and productivity index was 174.40, this index was 2.4 times less than founded in commercial lines of turkeys raised in total confinement.