Are you dreaming of a homegrown Thanksgiving feast, complete with a delicious juicy turkey raised by your own hands? Raising your own turkeys can be a rewarding and educational experience providing you with fresh, local food while teaching valuable lessons about animal husbandry and responsibility. This guide will walk you through the essential steps of raising turkeys, from choosing the right breed to providing proper care and housing.
Choosing the Perfect Breed:
The first step in your turkey-raising journey is selecting the right breed, Different breeds mature at varying rates and reach different weights Consider the following factors when making your choice:
- Timeframe: How much time do you have before Thanksgiving? Heritage breeds take longer to mature (25-30 weeks) than commercial breeds (14-22 weeks).
- Space: Turkeys require ample space to roam and thrive. Estimate the available space you have and choose a breed accordingly.
- Desired weight: Do you prefer a smaller or larger turkey? Different breeds have varying mature weights, ranging from 12 to 30 pounds.
Popular turkey breeds include:
- Broad-breasted White: This commercially popular breed matures quickly and reaches a large size (20-30 pounds).
- Bourbon Red: Known for its rich flavor and attractive reddish plumage, this heritage breed takes longer to mature (24-26 weeks) and reaches a medium size (16-20 pounds).
- Narragansett: This heritage breed boasts beautiful plumage and a delicious flavor. It takes longer to mature (26-28 weeks) and reaches a medium size (16-18 pounds).
Caring for Your Feathered Friends:
Once you’ve chosen your breed it’s time to learn how to care for your turkeys. Here are some key points to remember:
- Housing: Turkeys need a secure and comfortable environment. During the first six weeks, they require a brooder with a heat lamp. As they grow, they need a spacious coop with adequate ventilation and protection from predators.
- Space requirements: Ensure your turkeys have enough space to move around comfortably. The recommended space per turkey is as follows:
- 0-8 weeks: 2-2.5 square feet
- 8-16 weeks: 3-4 square feet
- 16-20 weeks: 5-8 square feet
- 20 weeks to market weight: 6-10 square feet
- Diet: Turkeys require a high-protein diet to grow and gain muscle. Provide them with a starter feed (30% protein) during the first 8 weeks, followed by a grower formula (20% protein) until they reach market weight. Ensure they have access to clean, fresh water at all times.
- Health: Monitor your turkeys for any signs of illness or injury. Consult a veterinarian if you have any concerns.
Raising Turkeys on a Budget:
Raising turkeys can be an affordable way to enjoy fresh, local food. Here are some tips for keeping costs down:
- Start small: Begin with a small flock of turkeys to gain experience and avoid overwhelming yourself.
- Buy poults in bulk: Purchasing poults in bulk can often lead to discounts.
- Build your own coop: Consider building your own coop instead of purchasing a pre-made one.
- Utilize free-range grazing: If possible, allow your turkeys to graze on pasture, reducing feed costs.
- Sell excess turkeys: If you raise more turkeys than you need, consider selling the excess to recoup some of your costs.
Marketing Your Homegrown Turkeys:
Once your turkeys reach market weight, it’s time to consider marketing them. Here are some options:
- Direct sales: Sell your turkeys directly to friends, family, or local restaurants.
- Farmers markets: Participate in local farmers markets to reach a wider audience.
- Online platforms: Utilize online platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace to advertise your turkeys.
Raising your own Thanksgiving turkeys can be a fun and rewarding experience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure your turkeys receive proper care and thrive, providing you with a delicious and ethically sourced Thanksgiving feast. Remember, raising turkeys requires dedication and responsibility, but the rewards are well worth the effort.
Housing RequirementsShelter is necessary to protect turkeys from extreme weather conditions and predators. It is important to consider the number of turkeys you plan to raise when choosing a shelter size. As a general rule, each bird should have at least 4 square feet of floor space. This gives the turkeys enough room to move around and perch. Also, make sure the shelter has good ventilation so moisture doesn’t build up. By placing windows or vents near the roofline, hot air can escape, and turkeys can be protected from direct drafts. As turkeys have a tendency to slip and injure themselves, the shelter’s flooring should be easy to clean and non-slippery. You can keep the floor clean and dry by covering it with straw or wood shavings. Last but not least, the shelter should have a secure door that can be locked at night to keep raccoons, foxes, and coyotes out. Predators will also be kept out of the shelter if you install a fence around the perimeter.
Space RequirementsTo roam and forage, turkeys need a large amount of outdoor space. As a general rule of thumb, each bird should have at least 10 square feet of outdoor space. Turkeys will be able to forage for food without being restricted. This can also reduce their feed costs. Turkeys need a lot of space to spread their wings and fly short distances, which is why they require a lot of space. A large outdoor area can also reduce the risk of injury and prevent aggression between birds. A covered area is also necessary to protect turkeys from extreme weather conditions, such as hot sun or heavy rain. In order to achieve this, a simple shelter could be provided or even trees or shrubs could be planted to provide shade.
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FAQ
How much room do 2 turkeys need?
How much floor space does a turkey need?
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Age
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Floor Space (Sq .Ft)
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Feeder Space (cms) (Linear feeder)
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0-4 weeks
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1.25
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2.5
|
|
5-16 weeks
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2.5
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5.0
|
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16-29 weeks
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4.0
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6.5
|
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Turkey breeder
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5.0
|
7.5
|
How much land does a turkey need?
How much roost space does a turkey need?
How much space do you need for a Turkey Poult?
Turkey poults need 2.5 sq. ft. each in the brooder and 10 sq. ft. each in the grow out pen. Turkeys on grass need a 25×25 sq. ft. area each. Your turkeys will love going outside, once they are fully feathered. Make sure you have a 4 ft. high turkey proof fence to keep them in and predators out. Home grown turkey, yum!
How many square feet does a Turkey need?
A minimum of 10 square feet is recommended per turkey for outdoor free roaming and foraging. The importance of regular observation and monitoring is also important, as are feeding and watering requirements. Are you raising any turkeys?
How much pen space do turkeys need?
At 16 weeks your turkeys are really going to be growing! From now until 20 weeks they need 8 sq. ft. each of pen space. If you are keeping your birds outside on pasture or your yard, you’ll need to give them a 25×25 foot area per bird. This works out to be 625 sq. ft. each.
How big should a Turkey shelter be?
Shelter is necessary to protect turkeys from extreme weather conditions and predators. It is important to consider the number of turkeys you plan to raise when choosing a shelter size. As a general rule, each bird should have at least 4 square feet of floor space. This gives the turkeys enough room to move around and perch.