Determination of egg yield, egg abnormalities and egg binding in breeding turkeys of the nicholas breed

This thesis aimed to evaluate egg production, egg abnormalities, and egg retention in breeder turkeys. A total of 6240 female breeder turkeys of Nicholas breed were utilized in the study. Turkey eggs were recorded weekly. Weekly egg production and the cumulative number of eggs per breeder turkey per week were calculated. Egg abnormalities were classified as small (deformed), double-yolked, broken, and thin-shelled eggs. Mortality rates due to egg retention were calculated. It was determined that weekly egg production varied between 32.3% and 74.18%. The cumulative number of fertile eggs per breeder turkey at the end of the egg-laying period was found to be 107.45. At the end of the egg-laying period, the percentages of small (deformed), double-yolked, broken, and thin-shelled eggs were calculated as 0.33%, 0.79%, 1.47%, and 0.37%, respectively, with a total abnormal egg rate of 2.96%. It was observed that 3.76% of the total 476 deaths of female breeder turkeys during the egg-laying period were due to egg retention. As a result, it was determined that the egg production and the weekly number eggs per cumulative breeding turkey were close to the importer company's targets. In addition, the study determined that egg abnormalities in turkeys were at acceptable levels and egg retention was at a low level.