Raising Turkeys -advice from professionals only please!

Hey byc-ers.

We are getting turkey poults by the end of this week from Ideal.Anyways these are my questions. Serious answers from REAL turkey raisers only please!!:

1. Turkeys with chickens. I have heard the horror stories about blackheads disease.What causes it? Buying chickens from auctions?I know it comes from chickens,but does it matter what chickens like ones from a hatchery or from a breeder,or from an auction house?

2. Housing requirements: If question from above is correct about spreading blackhead,then what is the designated space requirements per bird,nestbox size,coops(pics would be good).(we have an area earmarked at 100sqft.).

3. Are turkeys stupid: I hear this all the time,that they will drown in the open in a tree,but wait..wild turkeys dont dround,if they did,then we wouldnt have wild turkeys,nor be able to hunt them.They would be on the endangered species list.Whats the truth??

We are getting one tom and three hens that are bronze turkeys.I know about turkey growth.Anyone that is not a novice,your advice is appreciated and dire needed.Anyone that is a novice,or just a turkey-book reader,No offense,but please dont reply.I need professional turkey help from professional turkey growers/breeders.

The net doesnt seem to have accurate info.Alot of advice from nay-sayers and wanna bees.I dont want nor need that type of advice.

Im not an EXPERT. but i do know a pretty good bit from my own research and trial and error, take it if you want it, leave it if you dont.

Blackhead- can be very very serious. Ive housed turkeys and chickens together before and never ever had any problems with blackhead.Coccidiosis is a much more likely concern. free ranging isnt such a big deal, confinement is. see this for more info about blackhead disease http://www.millerhatcheries.com/Information/Diseases/blackhead_disease.htm

space. a trio of birds can live in a 10x10 area. The more space you give them, the happier they'll be.

Turkeys are not by any means stupid. They are sociable animals with personalities all of their own. And if youve ever hunted wild turkeys and matched wits with an old mature tom, you know what im saying. They can be extremely wary, cagey animals.

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I checked but it's sleeting and she is roosting and she's but a hunt and peck typist...

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c331/IvanIvanovich/WF0610.jpg

Start with this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=92240

Now that right there is funny stuff! I've got a smart one too but she is unavailable since being shipped to Japan to aid in the control of radiation due to the failing nuclear reactor. Smart comes in all shapes and sizes.

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There are many REAL turkey growers - I would advise you read the turkey threads here on BYC for starters all your answers are right there.

Steve

X2

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And, on that note, some ancillary `pro' info radiating out from the former AEC (DOE) itself: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=156131

Coincidence?.........................I think not. I'd bet my tinfoil hat on it.

I have raised Bronze Turkeys for years. My strain is a old strain from the early 1900's. I haven't never had a problem w/ blackhead. I raise my turkeys in with my chickens and guineas. Never had a problem! Just don't mix baby poults in with baby chicks because their immune systems are not fully developed yet and that can cause sickness. But when they are older then its just fine! mine eat the same food as my chickens do, Chick starter as chicks, grower/finisher as adolescents, and layer feed and corn as adults. with me feeding them layer feed they lay more eggs w/ higher fertility. It is best to let them free range too so they can get everything they need from grasses and plants. I keep 1 tom to 2 hens. This guarantees high fertility.

Quote:
I checked but it's sleeting and she is roosting and she's but a hunt and peck typist...

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c331/IvanIvanovich/WF0610.jpg

Start with this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=92240







I'm not a professional, so I better . I have only been raising turkeys for about 10 years. .