RAJSHAHI, Dec 15, 2019 (BSS) – Rearing of turkey birds has opened a new
dimension in the existing field of poultry birds farming as many people have
changed their fortunes through farming of the non-conventional bird in the
region including its vast Barind tract.
After taking advantage of more profit the farmers have been rearing the
bird side by side with other native ones commercially boosting its popularity
both among the farmers and consumers.
In all aspects, turkey birds rearing is gradually gaining popularity in
the region as it is more profitable than other poultry farms along with low
farming costs, taking less space for rearing the birds and less risk of
diseases.
Azizul Alam Bentu, a Turkey bird farmer in Haragram area of Rajshahi
city, said farming of the bird is suitable for small and marginal farmers as
it can be easily grown in an open space or under semi-intensive system.
He has started the farm with 43 turkey chicks a year ago. In nine
months, he started selling chicks and eggs. He said that currently there are
415 big turkey birds, 275 chicks in his farm. He gets 125 to 150 eggs per
day.
Bentu said that many people, especially youths and housewives are
building farms taking eggs and chicks from him. Every day, people come from
neighboring areas to take eggs, chicks and advice about turkey farming.
He said one pair chick aged one month can be sold at Taka 2,000, and for
two months, it can be sold at Taka 3,000.
Ashraful Islam, another farmer of Dargapara area under Bagmara upazila,
has been operating a turkey bird farm successfully. After starting the
business with 45 birds, he’s now the owner of 120 birds worth around Taka 3.5
lakh with gap of only three to four months.
With his curiosity, he had bought turkey chicks from Joypurhat and the
birds started laying eggs at the age of three months. He said the eggs are
being hatched in incubator machine. He is earning more than Taka one lakh
through selling both adult birds and chicks per month.
Like him, many others including youths and housewives have brought
happiness in their respective families through turkey birds farming in the
region.
Divisional Deputy Director of the Department of Livestock Services
Kolyan Kumar Fouzder said turkey birds grow very fast in a short duration.
Currently, every kilogram of turkey meat in the market is being sold at Taka
500 to Taka 550.
In five months, the weight of a turkey bird stands five to six-kg, whose
market value is Taka 3000 to 3500.
Besides, the expenditure of turkey farming is very low. The birds eat
the same foods that are available in the market for other poultry chicken.
Turkey birds also eat grass and vegetables. As a result, farmers do not
have to depend only on market’s food.
Kolyan Fouzder added that it can be kept in open areas. The possibility
of contracting diseases to turkey birds is less. So it needs less medicine.
He added that the turkey bird farming is gaining popularity among youths
and housewives in the area.
Commercial turkey farms have been developed in the city area and its
outskirts as well as different upazilas in the district. More than 200 turkey
farms have been established here in last one year.
Besides, many people have started keeping the bird in their houses in
small-scale.
He also said substantial and sustainable farming of the birds can be the
vital means of poverty reduction with ensuring the supply of safe and quality
poultry meat and eggs. Meat of turkey birds contain very low-fat, so its
consumption is good for health.
Agriculturist Fouzder mentioned that the bird has been playing a vital
role towards bringing diversity in the farming along with its marketing as a
whole.