Effect of Rearing Systems on Reproductive Performance of Turkey

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of rearing systems on reproductive performance of turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). A total of 180 Beltsville Small White and Board Breasted Bronze turkeys were taken for the study and reared under three different rearing system viz. intensive system (full confinement), semi-intensive system (partial confinement and partial day scavenging) and free range system (all-day scavenging). Average egg weight (g), percentage of infertile eggs, embryonic mortalities, total egg hatchability, fertile egg hatchability, fertility and poults survivability values were significantly (P>0.01) higher in turkeys reared under intensive system of management followed by semi intensive system and free range system of management. The highest percentage of dead in shell was found in intensive system and was did not differ significantly from semi intensive and free range system. Hatched weight of poults (g) between semi intensive and intensive system did not differ significantly between them, but both groups found statistically significant (P>0.01) from free range system. From the study, it is concluded that higher reproductive performance was obtained in intensive system of management followed by semi intensive and free range system of management.