The turkey cross Bronze 708 are the largest and most prominent representatives of this class of birds.
We consider in detail in our article how to care for them and breed at home.
History of cross
Turkey of this species is a leader among all turkeys, because it has large dimensions and high productivity. The history of the origin of these birds follows from the United States of America, where they began to be bred on closed farms. The following selection was carried out in France, where the original form called Orlopp Bronza was obtained. And later in France on the basis of this species were obtained Bronze turkey 708. 
Orlopp bronze
External features and character
About the features of the appearance of these turkeys says their name. Individuals possess bronze tailwhich distinguishes them from the mass of other turkeys. It must be said that the poults do not inherit the features of the appearance of their parents. This fact is characteristic of all representatives of the Bronze 708 species.
Did you know? With proper nutrition and the creation of all conditions turkey can gain weight up to 30 kg. It is for this reason that representatives of this species belong to broilers.
The nature of the turkeys is calm and docile, while the males can show aggression. 
Productive characteristics
The productive characteristics of this breed are as follows:
- The live weight of the turkey when bred at home is 18 kg, and the female under the same conditions - 9 kg. To reach the weight of 30 kg in non-production conditions is practically impossible, since it is necessary to strictly observe the temperature regime, diet and microclimate system;
- the slaughter of female cross Bronze 708 birds is produced for about 150 days, and males - for 160-170 days. The weight of females is about 8 kg, and males - 14 kg;
- Since the maternal instinct of females is developed at a sufficiently high level, some owners lay eggs from other birds to hatch them. For fertilization of females there is no need to use an artificial method, since males between the ages of 1 and 4 years old are quite productive;
- Cross has a high level of egg production: the number of eggs per season varies from 75 to 140 eggs. Approximately 80% of eggs from one clutch are fertilized and only 20% are empty. The first sock in females starts at about 10 weeks.
Conditions of detention
The main difficulty in growing birds of the Bronze breed is their rapid weight gain. This is reasoned by the fact that they relate to broilers, which are hard to grow in household conditions.
We advise you to read about the beneficial properties and the consumption of meat, liver, turkey eggs.
Room Requirements
For high-quality turkey breeding it is necessary to build a spacious aviary, the free space in which for one bird should be at least 1 square meter. m. To avoid diseases of individuals, it is necessary to maintain the correct temperature - no higher than + 20 ° C, and when frost temperature should not fall below -5 ° C. Turkeys are quite vulnerable to drafts, so they should be excluded.
Clean the enclosures should be regularly. The warmest place in the room must be equipped for roosts, which must be located at a height of half a meter. Parasites can cause quite serious damage to birds, so in the aviary you should definitely install a tank with ash and sand so that they can clean themselves. 
Since the light day of the turkeys is about 10 hours, the aviary should be equipped with lighting devices.
Important! In order to increase the productivity of birds, partitions should be placed in the aviary and one male and two females should be planted in the compartments.
Aviary for walking
You should walk turkeys not only in the warm period of the year, but also in winter, for which constructing a special aviary. The free space in this structure must be at least 20 square meters. meters for one individual. Perennial grasses should be sown for turkeys in the same place - they can be replaced by annuals, but they should contain a large number of useful components. For the winter period, the floor of the open-air cage should be covered with large amounts of hay.
How to endure winter cold
Cross Breeze 708 turkey poorly tolerate severe frosts. That is why the temperature in the aviary should not fall below -5 ° C. In the winter period of time it is not recommended to let out birds for walking - they should be left indoors. 
What else to take care
Be sure to ensure tight seams in the aviary so that no drafts are formed. You should also take care of large amounts of strawwhich regularly needs to be changed in the aviary. You also need to make sure that in the same compartment do not sit two males who will definitely fight among themselves and prove their superiority.
Did you know? Males, to show the female that they are stronger, will fight each other in bloody battles, although this is contrary to their nature. Mostly the Bronze males are rather passive and calm, but not in the case of rivalry.
Nest
Nest experts recommend installing in the most darkened place aviary. There, females will be able to quietly nurse future chicks for quite a long time. Often use open type nests, which are a box without a canopy. Such nests are easily installed in closed enclosures.
Feeders and drinkers
Since turkeys drink plenty of water, 3 times more than they consume food, all enclosures must be provided with drinkers. First you need to install special nipple drinkers for cubswhose age does not exceed 1-2 weeks. After 3 weeks, the chicks should be transferred to drinkers of the drip or vacuum type. For the correct feeding of the herd set several types of feeders. The main feeder is solid, which is placed daily feed. It is also necessary to install a sectional feeder, in which all sorts of vitamins and minerals will be placed. 
What to feed an adult flock
Feeding the herd is a fairly responsible process, since it is on the right diet that the development and weight gain of all individuals depend.
Read also about current crosses and breeds of turkeys: white and bronze wide-breasted, Uzbek fawn, black Tikhoretskaya.
Approximate diet
The diet of the herd is quite diverse and may vary depending on the age of the birds. It includes the following components:
- grain and grain waste;
- salt;
- bone flour;
- boiled eggs;
- wheat bran;
- shell;
- cottage cheese;
- fresh greens (rich in vitamins);
- dry residues of animal origin.
Vitamin and mineral supplements
The composition of the diet of turkey Bronze 708 must necessarily include special minerals and vitamins. From minerals should be added sodium, phosphorus and calcium. Do not forget about such amino acidsas arginine, lysine, tryptophan, cystine, isoleucine and histidine. Concerning of vitaminsIt is important to give turkeys of the D, B and E groups. In wintertime, add nettle, sauerkraut, woody brooms and vitamin coniferous flour to the menu. Such a diet will help strengthen the immunity of birds and prevent the appearance of infections and diseases.
Learn how to ferment cabbage quickly at home.
Breeding turkey poults
Breeding chicks of the Bronze 708 breed requires a lot of attention, especially with regard to the issue of feeding.
Egg Incubation
The survival rate of the young breed Bronze 708 is quite high - it is equal to 70%. At the same time, after hatching, they are very weak and require professional care and feeding.
With proper incubation, the embryos will be born on the 28th day. After 25 days, you can not turn the eggs, because the chicks begin to bite. You should also monitor the temperature and humidity level, the indicators of which should be + 37 ° C and 70%, respectively. 
But before proceeding with the incubation procedure, you should choose the right eggs. The first thing you need to check their quality with the help of ovoskop. This procedure allows you to carefully consider the yolk, which when turning should move smoothly and slowly.
Before laying the eggs in the incubator they are disinfected.
The next step is to warm the eggs to a temperature of + 20 ° C, at the same time it is necessary to ensure that condensate does not form. Next you need to place the eggs in the incubator. If it is equipped with the function of automatic turning of eggs, then they must be placed vertically, and the free space should be filled with a special material. If there is no automatic rotation, then the eggs should be laid horizontally. Experts often make notes on the eggs, so as not to confuse which turned and which ones did not.
The number of turns should correspond to the values given in special tables. It is imperative to monitor the temperature and humidity level inside the incubator. Humidity can be adjusted by pouring water into special trays. The next step is to check the eggs on the eighth day. On this day, it is necessary to enlighten the eggs with an ovoscope, which will make it possible to identify unfertilized eggs and those in which the embryos are not viable.
Important! It is necessary to ensure constant power supply so that the incubator does not stop working. Experts recommend creating an additional power source in the form of a battery.
Care for the young
After the birth of chicks to the light must wait until they dry out. Then they should be moved to a specially prepared box - it should be taken to a room where the temperature should be at least + 30 ° C. 
After the kids get acquainted with their mother, who will definitely accept them. In the event that there is no suitable individual, the owners construct a separate aviary or enclose a special place in the general aviary. For 20 kids you need about 5 square meters of free space.
Read also about the breeds of broiler turkeys (grade maker, Victoria, Big 6) and their content.
What to feed
The feeding area should be paved with soft bedding. The frequency of feeding is 3 hours, and the diet consists of small grains and chopped boiled eggs. It is also important to take care of drinking: for this you need to fill the trough with a little sweetened water.
Every day, chicks should receive the following products:
- beet;
- cabbage;
- carrot;
- various fodder;
- greens, which contains many vitamins;
- sprouted grain;
- vitamin complex.
Advantages and disadvantages of cross
The advantages of cross Bronze 708 turkeys include:
- large sizes;
- unusual bronze color of plumage;
- quick weight gain;
- high productivity and egg production;
- no need for artificial insemination;
- tasty and dietary meat;
- fast growing process;
- the need for a small amount of feed for growing full-fledged poultry.
This breed is not without flaws:
- obligatory keeping of birds in the open-air cage, as they relate to broilers;
- in this species, diseases of the skeletal system occur. This deficiency can be avoided if you do not violate the rules of feeding;
- sensitivity to drafts.
Video: content turkeys Bronze 708
Reviews poultry farmers on cross-country Bronze 708
The figures are as follows: 1) The weight of the gutted carcass without legs and skins is 11.5 - 12 kg (hung without weight, maybe +/- half a kilo) 2) Breast (weighed separately) - 4 kg 3) Legs - 3.5 kg 4) Wings + Neck - 2 kg 5) Meat skeleton - 2.5 kg
Bronze 708 cross-country turkey is a great option for breeding on farms and household plots. They are calm, unpretentious and more than compensate for all the expenses that were spent on their maintenance.
