Basics Of Keeping Turkeys - How To Raise Turkeys At Home

Are turkeys easy to raise?

They're great at controlling pests, and they're easy to raise and fun to watch! Narragansett turkeys are attractive, and some strains are particularly good at hatching eggs. Turkeys love to be up high, so they will congregate anywhere they can find a nice high perch.

How long do you raise turkeys before butchering?

If you choose to go with a Broad-Breasted Turkey, they should reach butchering weight faster than a heritage breed turkey. With that being said, at 16-22 weeks they should be weighing at around 12-14 pounds. A heritage breed turkey will mature at 25-30 weeks.

How much room do you need to raise turkeys?

How Much Space Do I Need? Turkeys are social creatures, so plan on raising at least two. They are bigger birds than chickens and thus more space is required. You'll need a minimum of 25 square feet of outdoor space per bird for them to exercise, with predator-proof fencing on all sides, as well as overhead.

How can I make money raising turkeys?

There are two main ways to earn money from turkeys: selling meat and selling turkey poults. With the first being much more profitable. There is a huge demand for pasture-raised turkeys at Thanksgiving time.

How long does it take for a turkey to grow to full size?

The usual lifespan for a turkey is 10 years, and pure breed turkeys take approximately 4-5 months to grow to full size. The hen turkeys take 16 weeks to mature completely, and average 3.6 kg (8 lb) to 7.2 kg (16 lbs) in weight.

What is the friendliest breed of turkey?

Our Jersey Buff (our first turkeys) are very friendly and beautiful. they were about 2 years old when we got them. lghter in color than the bourbons, but we got a bunch from porters this year. they are almost 10 weeks old, and the bourbons and buffs are so far the friendliest.

What is the best thing to feed turkeys?

Feeding Turkeys

Opt for ground feeding areas or large, low platform feeders that can accommodate these large birds and the flocks they forage in. ...
Provide cracked corn, millet, milo, wheat, oats, or other seeds and grains.

What is the best age to butcher a turkey?

The best age to butcher a Broad Breasted Turkey is 16-20 weeks, for heritage breed turkeys it's 24-28 weeks.

What is the best bedding for turkeys?

Like all poultry, turkeys require a bedding material that is absorbent, comfortable, and of appropriate size. Wood shavings work best, but other acceptable materials include peanut hulls, corn cobs, and peat moss. However, wood shavings need to be larger than sawdust to prevent accidental ingestion.

Will my turkeys fly away?

Once they get the point on that they'll generally stick around. HOWEVER - if you don't provide them with enough food, they will wander off in search of greener pastures. As long as they're getting enough food either from your land itself and/or supplemented feed by you, they're not going anywhere.

Do turkeys return to coop at night?

Turkeys will roost anywhere except where you want them to.

They would go in the coop at night with no problems and roost with the chickens.

Can turkeys fly over fences?

Turkeys will fly across water and over fences but also go under or through fences and wade sizable streams. Remember, turkeys use deer trails, including crossings at natural barriers. Scout waterways and fence lines for sign at game trail crossings. These may be potential setup sites when calling a bird.

Are turkey eggs good eating?

Turkey eggs are totally edible: Those who have backyard turkeys report their eggs taste remarkably similar to chicken eggs. ... For one thing, turkeys lay eggs much less frequently than other birds; a chicken or a duck lays about one egg per day, but a turkey lays at most about two per week.

Can turkeys live with chickens?

The short answer is yes, you can raise turkeys and chickens together. ... We also keep geese, ducks, and guineas with our chickens in the same coop and run.

How many eggs do turkeys lay at a time?

Synchronous Hatching

A turkey hen lays one clutch of eggs per year, these clutches can as small as four to as large as 17 eggs per nest (that's a big clutch and that's cool fact #1)! The hen lays only one egg each day, so if she lays 14 eggs it takes two full weeks to lay the entire clutch.

How can I make my turkey grow faster?

Turkeys need a high protein diet when they are young as they grow and gain muscle quickly. To support this growth, feed a complete feed with 30 percent protein, such as Purina^® Game Bird + Turkey Startena^® until the birds are 8 weeks old.

At what age are turkeys full grown?

Hens are slaughtered at about 14–16 weeks and toms at about 18–20 weeks of age when they can weigh over 20 kg (44 lb) compared to a mature male wild turkey which weighs approximately 10.8 kg (24 lb).

How long does a turkey live?

The average lifespan of a wild turkey is 3-5 years, and the oldest known wild turkey lived to be at least 13 years old. Domestic birds bred for food only live a few months until they are the appropriate size for commercial slaughter, though breeding pairs may be kept several years.

What breed of Turkey lays the most eggs?

BELTSVILLE SMALL WHITE

In the 1930s, this breed was developed and has become a great breed of prolific egg-laying turkeys. The hens set and hatch well. They make a good table bird, with a larger breast than the Midget Whites but it's agreed that their meat is blander than other heritage turkey meat.

What's the difference between a white turkey and a black turkey?

Black turkey characteristics include a fuller, gamier flavour, a smaller breast than the White varieties and a fine texture.

What is the rarest Turkey?

The Auburn, also known as the Light Brown, is a breed of domestic turkey. A heritage turkey, the Auburn is one of the rarest varieties currently in existence. It has been referenced by name in written records since the 18th century, and is named after the light reddish-brown color of its plumage.