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We're talking turkeys!

post #1 of 3
11/19/11 at 9:11pm
Thread Starter 

Well, we decided to try raising turkeys. We have chickens, ducks and rabbits but neither one of us has ever had turkeys. We want to pick some up in the Spring to raise them in time for Thanksgiving next year. My boyfriend has dressed out many birds for a neighbor but never his own so that's not the issue. We're curious, which are the best meat birds? We need the bigger the better because we have a large family.

Any other advice is welcome! smile

Too many chickens and ducks, 3 rabbits, 14 turkeys, 3 dogs and 2 beyond spoiled pot bellied pigs! Oh and 2 kids and one nearly perfect boyfriend!
I can be found on facebook - Keyt Harrington
or my photography page on facebook https://www.facebook.com/NaturalCharmPhoto. Offering specials on portraits and special events as well as photo restorations.

 

COLLECTING PENNIES!!! Taking any quantity!

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Too many chickens and ducks, 3 rabbits, 14 turkeys, 3 dogs and 2 beyond spoiled pot bellied pigs! Oh and 2 kids and one nearly perfect boyfriend!
I can be found on facebook - Keyt Harrington
or my photography page on facebook https://www.facebook.com/NaturalCharmPhoto. Offering specials on portraits and special events as well as photo restorations.

 

COLLECTING PENNIES!!! Taking any quantity!

Reply

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post #2 of 3
11/19/11 at 10:29pm

You can research the Heritage varieties at http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/wtchlist.html#turkeys

The Broad Breasted Whites and Broad Breasted Bronze are the cornishX of the turkeys. Lots of issues if not properly cared for and must be butchered by a certain age or they just won't survive. Try getting a heritage variety and keeping a pair or trio for breeders. Lots of fun letting a turkey hen set and hatch her own brood out!

 

jumpy.gif Your prayers are appreciated! The divorce was granted. yippiechickie.gif

I will be on/off BYC. If we owe you hatching eggs, please forward us the listing information. We are almost caught up on them and do not wish to miss anyone. Geese are now laying!

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jumpy.gif Your prayers are appreciated! The divorce was granted. yippiechickie.gif

I will be on/off BYC. If we owe you hatching eggs, please forward us the listing information. We are almost caught up on them and do not wish to miss anyone. Geese are now laying!

highfive.gif  Hall Family Farm Swap Page celebrate.gif  Arkansas Chat Thread    yippiechickie.gif Arkansas Swap Thread old.gif

 

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post #3 of 3
11/20/11 at 9:43am

If your after meat then you can't beat the production broad breasted white or bronze. In four to five months the will dress out around 18 to 30 lbs depending on hen or Tom and what you feed them. But of you want long term breeding flock eating a few each yer then go for a heritage breed. They will dress out about 20lbs after 8 to 9 months and will live for years. The broad breasted birds take a lot of work if you decide to keep alive past 6 months because they eat constantly and get too large for heir frames.

God is good all the time.
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God is good all the time.
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