Free Range organic turkeys are extremely expensive at over $8 a pound. This game bird can be difficult to find so we decided to try raising turkey poults ourselves. We chose the Bronze Breasted turkey poults, and our results were astounding!.
Once the former is small enough to hold in your hand and the latter is not significantly different, there are a few differences between raising turkeys and raising chicks.
Learn about these small differences in caring for young turkeys by understanding what supplies you’ll need, how to construct a suitable brooder, and what the requirements are for water and food.
Raising turkeys can be a rewarding experience, but it’s important to understand their specific needs at each stage of their development One of the most common questions new turkey raisers have is: when can turkey poults go outside?
The answer isn’t as simple as a single age. It depends on a number of variables, such as the age of the poults, the development of their feathers, the climate, and the danger of predators.
Here’s a breakdown of the key factors to consider:
Poults’ Age:
- 4 weeks: Generally too young. Poults at this age are still very fragile and susceptible to cold and dampness. They need the warmth and protection of a brooder to thrive.
- 6-7 weeks: This is the ideal age for most poults to move outdoors. They should be fully feathered by this point, which helps them regulate their body temperature.
- 8 weeks and older: If the weather is mild and the poults are healthy, they can go outside even earlier. However, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and wait until they are at least 6 weeks old.
Feather Development:
- Fully feathered: This is the most important factor. If the poults are not fully feathered, they will be vulnerable to the cold and rain.
- Partially feathered: If the poults are only partially feathered, you can still move them outdoors, but you need to take extra precautions to keep them warm. This might include providing a heat lamp or using a brooder with a covered run.
Weather Conditions:
- Mild weather: If the weather is mild and there is no risk of frost, the poults can go outside sooner.
- Cold weather: If the weather is cold, you need to wait until the poults are older and more robust before moving them outdoors. You may also need to provide additional heat, such as a heat lamp.
- Rainy weather: Rain can be dangerous for young poults, as they can easily get chilled. If it’s raining, it’s best to keep the poults inside until the weather improves.
Predator Risk:
- Low predator risk: If you live in an area with low predator risk, you can move the poults outdoors sooner.
- High predator risk: If you live in an area with high predator risk, you need to take extra precautions to protect the poults. This might include using a secure enclosure or keeping them indoors until they are older and larger.
Here are some additional tips for moving turkey poults outdoors:
- Start by letting them out for short periods during the day. This will help them get used to the outdoors gradually.
- Provide a sheltered area where they can go if they get cold or wet.
- Make sure they have access to fresh food and water.
- Keep an eye on them closely for the first few days to make sure they are doing okay.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that your turkey poults have a smooth transition to the outdoors.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
- BackYard Chickens Forum: This forum has a thread specifically about moving turkey poults outdoors.
- Abundant Permaculture: This website has an article on how to raise baby turkeys, which includes information on when to move them outdoors.
Keep in mind that each flock of turkeys is unique, so pay close attention to your birds and base your decisions on their specific needs.
Can You Raise Turkeys and Chickens Together?
To keep your turkeys healthy, do NOT raise them with chickens. Growing turkeys alongside your chickens puts them at risk for blackhead disease, which can be lethal to the birds, as well as meeting their different dietary and temperature requirements.
What Do Baby Turkeys Drink?
Fresh water is essential for baby turkeys and should be kept slightly above the ground to maintain cleanliness. After finding out that we would probably lose a few of our baby turkeys in the first few weeks, we fed them magic water for four weeks.
Pro-Tip: After observing that our baby turkeys would jump up onto the waterer and poop into their fresh water, we taped a plate over the top.
How to Raise Turkeys – From Brooder to Coop!
FAQ
How long do baby turkeys need heat lamp?
Can 5 week old turkeys go outside?
What temp can turkeys go outside?
What does a 3 week old turkey look like?