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2021 Maine Pastured Turkey Project

Animal Science

Colt Knight
State Livestock Specialist
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Orono

Abstract

Eighty 5.5-week-old Broad Breasted straight run turkeys were raised on pasture at the J. F. Witter Teaching and Research Center in Old Town, Maine from June 1, 2021 through November 1, 2021. Researchers gathered production data such as: pasture use, feed intake, water use, weight gain and feed efficiency. However, the main hypothesis was to determine the feasibility of a newly designed mobile turkey tractor system. The mobile turkey tractor was built utilizing rigid corral panels for sides and flexible feedlot panels and tarps to create the roof structure. During the Covid-19 pandemic, lumber became scarce and expensive leading the University of Maine to develop alternative methods to construct pasture poultry housing. The mobile turkey tractor was 24 feet long, 10 feet wide, and approximately 9 feet tall. Synthetic tarps were stretched over the sides and top to create shade but left open on the ends to allow ample ventilation. Perches were placed at varying heights throughout the tractor to allow turkeys to choose the heights they were most comfortable with as they age. Metal t-posts were utilized on the corners to stake the tractor to the ground which were easily removable to tow the tractor forward when turkeys soiled the inside of the tractor. Turkeys were kept on pasture until they reached 18 weeks of age. On average, each turkey consumed 74.4 lbs of feed from the start of the project. Water utilization per bird was 7.7 gallons. Turkey Feed Conversion Ratio was 4.15. The mobile turkey tractor performed well, experiencing temperatures as high 90° Fahrenheit, wind gusts in excess of 50 miles per hour, and up to 3” rains. During the project, 8 educational videos were generated and shared on social media (3030 views) while the project was in progress. Viewers were able to watch construction of the mobile rookery, turkeys enjoying the pasture, students weighing animals, and unfortunate aspects of the project including vandalism and predator attacks. Results were also presented to producers at the 2022 Maine Agricultural Trade Show. A video recording of this presentation has reached 96 views. 

Authors: Colt W Knight, Madison Philbrick
  1. Colt W Knight State Livestock Specialist, University of Maine, Maine, 04473
  2. Madison Philbrick Graduate Assistant, University of Maine, Maine, 04469