Even 10 months ago, Brishaketu Chakma, had to go through hardship, but he can run his nine-member family smoothly now.

It is turkey farming which has brought dramatic change to the life of the 54-year-old, who once worked as farm labourer to feed his family members at Gargirachhari village of Sadar upazila.

In February this year, Brishaketu set up a farm at his house with 60 turkey chicks spending Tk 80,000, and he did not look back since then. His son-in-law, a vegetable trader of the upazila headquarters, bought the chicks for him.

The farm now has 180 turkeys, including 27 full grown, and an incubator as well. He has earned Tk 60,000 from the farm till now, said smiling Brishaketu, adding that his income is increasing day by day.

An incubator at the farm. Photo: Star

“I'm very grateful to a retired veterinary field assistant of livestock department who helped me a lot to look after the birds as I had no previous experience to deal with the turkeys,” he said.

“Each egg of the birds is sold at Tk 100 and the selling price of one-month-old turkey is Tk 500 to Tk 600, while a two-month-old is sold at Tk 1000 to Tk 1200. The meat sells for up to Tk 450 per kilogram,” said Brishaketu.

“It is a profitable venture as turkeys eat vegetables, including spinach and cabbage, while you have to spend extra money to feed poultry chickens,” he said.

Upazila Livestock Officer Rafiqul Islam Khan said if Brishaketu comes to them, they will train him how to treat the turkeys and give proper training in rearing the birds as well.