Journal of Applied and Industrial Sciences, 2013, 1 (4): 11-15, ISSN: 2328-4595 (PRINT), ISSN: 2328-4609 (ONLINE)

Research Article

11

A Study on Turkey (Meleagris Gallopavo) Raising in the Sudan

Osama Elshiek Yassin1, Salim Gibril2 Al Hafiz Abdelrahman Hassan3, and Bushara A. Bushara2
1
College of Animal Production, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Sudan
2
College of Animal Production, University of Bahri, Khartoum, Sudan
3
College of Agricultural Technologies and Fish Sciences, University of Al-Neelain, Sudan
(Received September 10, 2013; Accepted October 20 2013)

AbstractA survey on turkey raising in the Sudan using

structured questionnaires and interviews for 25 breeders and 5
dealers, officials of five state ministries and 8 Agricultural
Colleges was carried out to know the present status of turkey
rearing. Results showed that black at 5.74% was the dominant
colour, 69.3% of respondents hatched their replacement flocks,
85.7% were home rearing 66.7% raised less than 30 birds and
most breeders used cereals (sorghum and rice) of which sorghum
constitute about 70%.
Some 50% kept flocks for eggs and meat production, 25% for
meat alone, 63.7% marketed live birds, 27.3% as slaughtered and
50% of respondents marketed at any age with customer
availability and price being limiting factors. Healthwise 50%
vaccinated their flocks and 66.7% received veterinary care and
advice. Main problem encountered was feeding, followed by
diseases and environmental factors (22.2%). For the majority
(75%) manure had no use.
No extension services or technical support were offered from all
the state ministries. Most colleges included some educational
courses on turkey.

Index Terms Survey, Turkey, Structured questionnaires,

Sudan

I. INTRODUCTION
the past few decades production of poultry meat and
O ver
eggs has grown faster than that of any other major food
in the developing countries [1].
This is as a result of increasing demand for animal products
due to increase in population income, urbanization and
westernization of diet. This is in addition to technology
transfer and emergence of economically active and producing
communities in developing countries, which means continuous
rising demand for food of which poultry forms an important
component.
According to [2] Annual Report turkey production and
consumption was increasing. Karki, [3] stated that
consumption of turkeys and broilers as white meat was rising
worldwide and that a similar trend existed in developing
countries. NRC, [4] reported that turkeys can be raised
anywhere as scavengers or in modern intensive systems.
According to [5] turkey production was growing globally with
average annual growth rate of 3%. In addition, [6] reported
that turkey production was possible under wide range of
*Corresponding author E. mail: salgib9@hotmail.com

climatic conditions and were relatively more resistant to some

of the common diseases.
Soliven, [7] reporting on turkey rearing in the Philippines as a
developing country stated on the farmers opinion that turkey
raising is profitable as long as the poults are properly fed and
taken care of. Cost of production is cheap as almost 50% of
the feed they eat is green vegetables, field grasses and
commercial feeds as a supplement.
Schultz, [8] stated that turkey merits include- utilization of
turkey as foraging animals similar to ruminants. Unlike,
Chickens, turkeys can be herded much the same as sheep.
Turkeys have tremendous versatility in local marketing and
can be sold or traded in small units at any age when large
enough to be butchered.
Turkey meat can be cooked whole or sliced or grounded and
can be roasted, barbecued, fried or boiled or smoked.
Moreover, turkey meat can be made in soup, sausages and
other preparations.
Though in Sudan there is no known discrepancy or
discriminatory attitude toward production and consumption of
turkey, they are relatively scarce. This might be due, as was
stated by [9], partly to chickens which are more familiar than
other poultry species and grow so well and partly due to the
fact that, modern turkeys are highly bred for intensive
production. For food value [10] reported that turkey carcasses
contain higher percentages of protein than chicken carcasses.
Grimes et al., [11] stated that turkey is excellent insects
foragers and that most crops that are troubled by insect
population including vegetable crops are candidates for insect
control by turkeys. Healthy turkeys will range substantial
distances if allowed. Turkeys can use many types of ranges
and pastures to flourish. Native ranges can provide a wealth of
edible plants and insects for them.
In spite of all these attributes turkey production and
consumption in the Sudan remained
very low compared
to consumption of other poultry species specially chickens and
pigeons which are both raised either for home consumption or
trading.
This study is an attempt to survey, pool-in and analyze
information on the situation of turkey raising, production and
consumption in the Sudan as information on the subject is very
limited.

Journal of Applied and Industrial Sciences, 2013, 1 (4): 11-15, ISSN: 2328-4595 (PRINT), ISSN: 2328-4609 (ONLINE)
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II. MATERIALS AND METHODS

A study survey was conducted to collect information and data
on turkey raising, consumption and main problems
encountered in the Sudan. Structured questionnaires, personal
interviews and reference data were used for the study.
Information collected included respondents characteristics,
breeding, rearing and housing systems, feeding and disease
problems, marketing and uses.
A total number of respondents of 30 (25 breeders and five
dealers) from states of Khartoum (Eight), Sennar (Seven),
White Nile (Eight), North kordufan (Four) and Equatoria
State (Three) using questionnaire [1] which was specially
designed for breeders and dealers information. Questionnaire
[2] was used to collect data from 8 Agricultural Colleges on
the teaching position of turkey, namely College of Natural
Resources Juba University, College of Agriculture Upper Nile
University ,College of Animal Production and College of
Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and
Technology, College of Agriculture- EL-Azhari University,
College of Agricultural Sciences Abunaama Sennar
University, College of Agricultural Technologies El Neelain
Parameter
Breeder or dealer information
Turkey Breed and Colour

Sources of getting the Turkeys

Parameter
System of Turkey Keeping

University and Faculty of Animal Production University of

Khartoum.
A third specially designed questionnaire, was meant to
interview officials from five state Animal Resources Ministries
namely Khartoum, White Nile, Sennar, North Kordufan and
Central Equatoria States for official information.
All questionnaires were assembled and the information and
data collected were tabulated and statistically analyzed using
simple means and percentages.
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The following tables show obtained results on the management
aspects, the marketing and health, the teaching status and the
official information on turkey rising in the Sudan taking a
group of states as representatives of the whole country.
Breeds and breeding of turkeys found in the Sudan are shown
in Table 1.The table shows that the majority (83.3%) of the
respondent samples were breeders while only 16.7% were
dealers which indicates interest in keeping and raising turkeys.

Table (1). Breeds and breeding of turkey

Options
Breeders
Deelers
White
Black
Black and white
I mported from(Egypt)
Local hatcheries
Natural hatching
Others

Percent %
83.3
16.7
28.6
47.6
23.8
7.7
0
69.3
23

S.d.
.001
.003
.001
.002
.001
.002
.000
.002
.002

Table (2). Systems of turkey keeping

Options
Intensive \Closed
Intensive \ Opened
Range management
Home rearing
Others

Percent %
0
14.3
0
85.7
0

S.d.
.000
.002
.000
.079
.000

Number of Turkeys kept in the flock

Less than 10
Less than 20
more than 20
Other

33.3
66.7
0
0

.002
.003
.000
.000

Purpose of turkeys production

Meat production
Egg production
Dual purposes
Breeding
Luxurious

25
0
50
8.3
16.7

.002
.000
.002
.002
.002

The mostly raised birds were black color (47.5% of the total
investigated) but a good portion raised white turkeys which is
the most favored globally for meat.
For securing the flock, 69.3% of the breeder sample hatched
their replacement stock. A small percentage (7.7%) imported

them from Egypt and non from Europe like most of the
chickens replacement stocks.
Table 2 showed the systems of turkey keeping in the Sudan.
The bulk of turkeys were raised by home rearing system. Most
of the flock owners raised less than 20 birds up to 66.7% of

Journal of Applied and Industrial Sciences, 2013, 1 (4): 11-15, ISSN: 2328-4595 (PRINT), ISSN: 2328-4609 (ONLINE)
13
the sample mostly home rearing and non - owned farms of any
size. The majority of breeders raised turkeys for both eggs and
meat production though 25% raised them for meat production
alone.
Feeding and watering of turkeys are indicated in Table 3. For
feeding most breeders used cereals (sorghum and rice) of
which sorghum constitute about 70%. Only 11.2% went for
range which may indicates nutritional inadequacy leading to

Parameter
Type of feeds offered

Type of drinkers used

Table (3). Feeding and watering of turkeys

Options
Rice

Percent %
16.7

S.d.
.001

Sorghum

38.8

.002

Range

11.2

.002

Others

33.3

.002

Home made

60

.001

Iron or plastic
Others

33.3
6.7

.001
.001

As for the time of marketing turkey meat birds (Table 4), half
(50%) of the study sample stated at any age when consumers
were found and when good prices were available. For 16.7%
of the study sample, the marketing age was 16 weeks and for
another 16.7% at more than 16 weeks which indicates that 16
weeks of age is the acceptable marketing age under Sudan
local conditions. This is in conformity with [13] who reported

Parameter
Time of marketing turkeys as
meat

Ways of Turkey marketing

Use of Turkey manure

low production. This result accords with [12] who noted that
the performance of birds with outdoor access would be inferior
to that of birds in a more controlled environment because the
outdoor birds would be exposed to fluctuating temperatures
and increased exercise in yard.
As far as drinkers are concerned they were mostly home made.
This indicates that turkey production in the Sudan is at the
primitive stage.

that 16 weeks was the best age for turkey slaughter. As for
methods of marketing turkeys three quarters of breeders and
dealers sell live birds while the rest sell them as slaughtered
birds mostly the dealers.
For the use of turkey manure most of the respondents stated no
use and the rest used it for home gardens and field crops.

Table (4). Status of turkey marketing

Option
8 weeks of age

Percent
0

S.d
.000

16 weeks of age

16.6

.001

More than 16 weeks

16.7

.002

At Thanksgiving and Christmas days

At any age when there is good prices

16.7
50

.002
.001

Live birds in Kg

63.7

.001

Slaughtered carcasses
Cuts and parts
Sausage

27.3
9
0.0

.001
.002
.000

In home gardens
In field crops
Others
No use

16.7
8.3
0.0
75

.002
.001
.000
.002

For the turkey health program (Table 5), half of the respondents vaccinated their flocks and the majority of the respondents
visited veterinary centers for advice and treatment. The main problem encountered in raising turkeys was feeding followed by
diseases and environmental factors according to breeders and dealers.

Journal of Applied and Industrial Sciences, 2013, 1 (4): 11-15, ISSN: 2328-4595 (PRINT), ISSN: 2328-4609 (ONLINE)
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Table (5). Status of turkey health and problems

Option
Answer

Parameter
Turkey health program

Is there a regular vaccination

program,

Yes

Do you visits veterinary

Centrfortreatment or advice
Problems in Turkey production

Parameter

Separate course
Part of a course
General information
Considered but not taught
Not found

The information gathered showed that turkeys were kept under

all climatic conditions in the Sudan. This result is in accord
with [6] who reported that turkey production is possible under
wide range of climatic conditions. No services other than the
veterinary were offered by the States ministries and that all
turkey breeders at 100% level raised them as a hobby
according to their information. In addition to that no disease
Parameter
Turkey production status
records

50

.001

50

.001

Yes

66.7

.0008

No

33.3

.001

22.2
27.8
22.2
27.8

.0015
.0005
.0015
.0015

did not answer the questions related to credit hours and the
position of the course in the syllabus.
Questionnaire 3 covering information on State Animal
Resources Ministries included climate information, position of
turkey production in the state, services offered to producers
such as extension, credit financing and veterinary services as
well as disease incidences encountered is shown in Table 6.

Table (6). Turkey teaching in some State colleges and universities

Options
Percent

Status of Turkey
Teaching

S.d

No

Diseases
Feeding
Environmental factors
Others

Questionnaire 2 handled the teaching position on turkey

production and the findings are depicted in (Table 7). Results
revealed equal levels of 25% each that some colleges teach it
as a separate course, some as part of poultry course, some as
general information and the others do not have it in their
curricula but consider including it in future. Colleges however,

Percent

25
25
25
25
0

Percent
Mean
25.001
25.001
25.001
25.001
0

Std.
Deviation
.0015
.0010
.0015
.0015
0

incidence was reported in turkeys. The results indicated the

absence of any State Ministry care for turkey production.
Many respondents indicated raising turkey for dual purposes
and marketing them for meat both alive and slaughtered.
Absence of disease incidence in turkeys indicates that turkeys
have high disease resistance. Sharma, [6] reported that turkeys
are relatively more resistant to some of the common diseases.

Table (7). Information about Turkey production in some States

Options
Percentages %
Percentages
Mean
Small scale production
0
0
Home rearing
0
0
Hobbies
100
99.99
Others
0
0

Std.
Deviation
0
0
.0055
0

Extension services offered

0

Veterinary visits offered

Disease incidence reported
Credit financing available

IV. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION

The study showed some potential interest for turkey
production in the Sudan though still on primitive and

traditional management and productive systems. It also

indicated potentials for development through more motivation
by government authorities and educational institutes.

Journal of Applied and Industrial Sciences, 2013, 1 (4): 11-15, ISSN: 2328-4595 (PRINT), ISSN: 2328-4609 (ONLINE)
15
The main problems encountered were nutrition, diseases,
environmental factors, and lack of formal and scientific
information or services or credit facilities.
Most agricultural colleges included some educational courses
in their curricula.
Recommendations
- Accommodation of turkey meat in the total meat
production in the Sudan as a cheap animal protein
source for which Sudan has many supportive merits.
- More care and stress from the relatively responsible
government authorities and educational institutes on
turkey production, processing and consumption as a
high quality animal protein source on range or in
modern accommodation systems.
Acknowledgements
This study is part of a research project supported by the
Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Sudan.
The financial support of the Ministry is highly acknowledged.
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