raising turkeys 101

Are turkeys hard to raise?

Turkeys are not that hard to raise, but they differ a bit from chickens in terms of what they need, and raising them from poults (baby turkeys) is more time- and energy-intensive than raising chickens from baby chicks.

How long does it take to raise a turkey to slaughter?

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.

Can you raise turkeys and chickens together?

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. But before you head off to the feed store to buy a variety of poultry, there's a few more things you should know.

Are turkeys easy to keep?

TURKEYS are magnificent birds that are relatively easy to keep and once you have some around you will become truly smitten. ... The standard turkeys (original old breeds - as opposed to commercial hybrids) are very hardy birds but like most poultry, will appreciate shelter, away from extreme weather.

Why should you not eat turkey?

Top 10 Reasons Not to Eat Turkeys

Turkeys Are "People" Too. Turkeys have personalities, just as dogs and cats do. ...
Fear Factories. ...
Don't Be a Butterball! ...
Bird Flu Blues. ...
Turkey-Free, Cholesterol-Free Tasty Treats. ...
Want Stuffing With Your Supergerms? ...
Foul Farming. ...
Feed the World.

Will free range turkeys fly away?

Because turkeys are able to fly, those birds have been confined to the caged yard. We wanted to allow them free range in the fenced-in grassy area. However, because it has an open top, the turkeys would be able to fly away.

How can I fatten up my turkey?

For fattening up a turkey, using a 30% protein gamebird feed will likely give the best results. In addition to commercial feeds that are high in protein, you can supplement your turkey with high protein foods. Alfalfa hay, for example, is a great high protein treat your turkeys can browse on.

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.

How old should a turkey be before you butcher it?

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

Why do we not eat turkey eggs?

Turkeys are bigger than chickens, so they take up more space and require more food. ... And they lay only two eggs a week, compared to a chicken's near-daily production, reports Modern Farmer. This adds up, so that in the rare instance a turkey egg is for sale, it's easily $2 to $3 a pop.

Will turkeys kill each other?

Turkey will sometimes attack chickens, and both chickens and older turkeys will sometimes go after poults. It's best to keep poults away from adults until they are bigger. Even than you need to make sure they all can get away from each other. I haven't had any toms kill another Tom even though there's sometimes fights.

Will turkeys kill chickens?

Turkeys And Chickens

In general, it is safest not to house male turkeys with female chickens, as they unfortunately have been known to accidentally kill chickens when attempting to mate with them.

Do turkeys like to be petted?

Turkeys love to be stroked, petted and cuddled. They will remember your face and if they like you, they will come up to you to greet you. Turkeys also love music and will cluck along with the songs.

What should you not feed turkeys?

Things That Are Toxic To Turkeys

Blue-Green Algae.
Botulism.
Cedar Wood.
Hardware Disease.
Layer Or Breeder Food For Turkey Chicks (Poults)
Lead Toxicity.
Mycotoxins.
Pesticides, Herbicides, And Rodenticides.

Do turkeys need nesting boxes?

Nest boxes are an essential feature for laying turkey hens, and can be simply built with just a little time and effort. ... Turkeys are large birds, but enjoy a cozy nest, so 8 inches of nesting room is more than enough to make them feel comfortable.

Do turkeys like hugs?

They love hugs.

Turkeys are affectionate, sensitive animals. In farmed sanctuaries across the world, they're often the most beloved of residents. They love to be petted, held, and even hugged.

What is healthier chicken or turkey?

Turkey is fairly comparable to chicken in nutrients, but both its dark and white meat are slightly leaner. White meat has slightly less saturated fat than dark; skinless, boneless breast is leanest. Super-lean, lower in fat than other red meat.

What colors do turkeys see?

Turkeys can easily see blaze orange and are spooked by this color, a serious problem for the state's avid turkey hunters.

Do turkeys poop a lot?

Size: As one of the largest Native birds in North America, the turkey requires more room than the normal back yard fowl. ... Mess: *(Manure) Like all birds, turkeys poop a lot, you could even say, “all the time”. The Turkey's high burning metabolism requires they eat often and what goes in, come out processed turkey style.

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 away?

Wild turkeys can fly. They forage on the ground, but at night, they will fly to the top of trees to roost. This helps protect them from predators lurking around at night. Not only will they fly up into trees, but they will also fly away from a scare or predator nipping at their heels.