Table of Contents
Raising turkeys is somewhat like raising chickens. Both need a brooder space when they are young, but size and diets of the two are different. Turkeys need a high-protein turkey starter food for the first six weeks. It is not acceptable to substitute chicken starter food.
Are turkeys easy 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 turkeys?
Most turkey breeds will mature between 14-22 weeks of age, which means you will need to purchase birds early in July to make sure they have enough time to grow. Heritage breeds will take a bit longer, 25-30 weeks, so those birds would need to be purchased in late May or early June.
Can you raise a turkey as a pet?
Since turkeys are so docile and loving, they make excellent pets for children. They like to play and are more resilient than smaller, delicate birds, like chickens. Once your turkey has bonded with their family, they will enjoy spending time around you.
Can I keep turkeys in my garden?
Turkeys are relatively easy to raise in the back garden although, being larger, they do require more space than chickens or ducks. Turkeys can live for up to 10 years although on average they have a lifespan of around 4 years (unless destined for the table of course!).
Can I let my turkeys free range?
It’s like free-ranging chickens. The free-ranging can give the birds access to natural vitamins and nutrients they need. But it isn’t enough to sustain them properly. Make sure you give your turkeys grain and grit along with their free ranging.
At what age can turkeys free range?
Depending on the weather, you can move them to a shelter or an outbuilding when they are 2-3 weeks old. We use those giant cardboard watermelon bins from the grocery store as a large corral for the second stage of raising the turkeys.
How long do turkeys live for?
Turkey/Lifespan.
What do turkeys need in a coop?
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. You’ll also need a small shed for a turkey coop; an 8-by-10-foot structure is big enough to house a few birds.
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. Clipping the wings, a painless procedure, prevents the birds from taking flight.
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.
When can turkey poults go outside?
Most often poults will be fully feathered and will be ready to move into their outdoor housing around 6-7 weeks of age. But until they are fully feathered they need to be kept in a draft-free, temperature-controlled brooder space protected from predators and supplied with fresh food and water.
Can I keep turkeys with chickens?
One of the main ways to keep turkeys healthy is too NOT raise chickens and turkeys together. When turkeys and chickens are raised together, turkeys run a high risk of contracting the disease histomoniasis, also known as blackhead.
What do I feed my pet turkey?
Captive turkeys eat insects and seeds if they can roam and forage on the farmland or other outdoor space. Baby turkeys raised in captivity eat a different diet than adult domestic turkeys. A baby bird is given feed called a game starter or chick starter.
Can you house train a turkey?
A California family is keeping a turkey as a pet, and they say he’s even house-trained. Albert is even house-trained, which is a pretty impressive feat for a bird.
Do turkeys ever travel alone?
After the mating season, “Toms” and younger “Jakes” retreat to a separate males-only flock, wandering around separate from the hens.
What do baby turkeys eat?
Baby turkeys need to eat turkey/gamebird starter mash or crumbles, a blend specially formulated for their growth and development. Layer or breeder mash, crumbles, or pellets should never be fed to poults, not even as an emergency ration.
How do I keep pet turkeys in my yard?
Provide a roosting area if possible. Keep them inside at night to provide more control over parasites and keep them safe from predators. Turkeys are social birds, so plan to spend time with them while you’re outside. Allow one square foot of space for the young birds, up until they’re two months of age.
Are turkeys hard to keep?
In my opinion, with the exception of the space that raising turkeys requires, turkeys are easier to keep than chickens. They are docile, regal birds that move across the yard with a certain air of sophistication. They create tight family bonds and are fairly intelligent.
