The Mixed Production : Turkeys on Free Running, Rabbits in cage, Beans & potatoes Being supplementary feeds

One of the reasons of having mixed production of animals and cropping is to get a balanced products from both plants and animals. The products from the animals give much protein and the crops gives most energy. Though plant like beans are best plant protein.

I had opportunity to visit one farmer's farm. He was rearing turkey on free running system. Free running is the system of farming where animals are allowed to roam on their environment and fend for their feed. There is less protection for the animals since the animals haven't been fenced or cage. The risk of theft is high. The animals sometimes roast on tree. The animals are not fenced, hence exposure to adverse weather conditions are very high.

Like these turkeys, since they are freely to more move, they get natural feeds like grasses to peck with their beaks. They also get microbial organisms like like ants and worms from the soil. They get enough ventilation compared with their counterpart confined in the pen.

In this case if the turkeys are tired or moving, they find places under the cassava to rest. The canopies closure of cassava leaves become shade for them to hide. However, the wild animals like fox can catch some of these turkeys. Over here, the farmland where the turkeys were playing are closed the farmer's house. And there are other new houses around. So it's very difficult for wild animals to prey on them.

At the next farm, the farmer was rearing rabbits but they have been kept in a cage. On like turkeys, there are great distinction between them despite the fact they all belong to the same monogastric or non ruminants family, having simple stomach. The rabbits are highly prolific and consume varieties of feed ranging from intended prepared concentrate to the nature green herbs from the farm. They are heavy feeders and can consume several grasses per day. The doe can produce more kits every 3 months interval of properly fed with varieties of nutritious feeds.

The beans and potatoes produced here becomes feeds for the rabbits. The beans are potatoes leaves are noted to provide a lot of protein to the the rabbits and at the same time a lot of energy for them. If they are properly fed, they grow at very fastest rate and reproduce with large number at one parturition. At one parturition a doe can deliver 12 kits. If she gives birth every 3 months, it means she can deliver kits 4 times a year. Multiplying 4 months by the number of kits at one parturition is 48 kits per year. They are used to feeding on grasses such as bemudagrass, oats, wheat and barley grasses which are highly nutritious in their fresh state. They can also be converted into hay in order to vary their feeding. For instance if they are left to overgrown, turning into brownish colour, they lose their nutritional value and become straw. But that could also be used as bed for the doe.

The most beneficial products the farmer get for rearing both turkeys and rabbits are ver enormous. For instance the rabbits meat are highly nutritious for consumption lacking a lot of fats deposit. They are easy to be fed with varieties of feed. The feeds are also around and could be fed with kitchen leftover food, few concentrates prepared from market and fresh brand with herbs. Turkeys are feeding can be more of grains or cereals like rice brans, wheat and maize. But, when they are put on free running or range, the cost is minimal compared with battery cage system where the farmer has to do a lot or intensive work. On free running, the farmer must do a lot of monitoring for the safety of the turkeys. But, small ventilated housing could be built for the animals in case there is storm and other unfavorable weather conditions.