Are turkeys hard to keep?

[sandy sea]

I have been thinking about getting a turkey. Are they a pain to keep as a pet? I have chickens and two pot bellied pig that all live together nicely. If I get a turkey would I have to make another coop and run for the turkey. The feed store has baby turkeys I think that they are call Standard Bronze. Would I need to get two? I do not plan to eat them. Any input would be great. Thanks

 

[farmerlor]

They do seem to be social critters, I would definitely get two or three. A standard bronze as opposed to a broad breasted variety would have a nice lifespan and they're beautiful and friendly birds.

 

[azrc]

I currently have 6 about 2-3 months old, and had a dozen or so growing up.

They're very easy as far as I'm concerned, probably easier than chicken. Mine have free run of the yard and sleep anywhere so no coup required and don't require a pond like the ducks and geese so they're also a little cleaner in this respect.

My biggest problem is that they follow me everywhere and so I have to avoid stepping on them, or if I am out working they get in the middle of everything like a puppy. When I go sit in the yard they'll always fly up and sit in my lap or sometimes on my head. So yes, very social.

 

[agnes_day]

how noisy are they? (sorry for butting in!) how long does it take to raise a thanksgiving turkey?

 

[azrc]

I'd say moderate. So far not too bad. Not as loud as a rooster or an upset hen, but a little louder than a chicken. Gobbling is a little louder than moderate, but they only do that when upset.

They're quiet at night and really only make noise when I'm around and want attention.

 

[miss_jayne]

for a mature heritage turkey, about 6 months.

mine are super friendly. they follow me everywhere and i agree, they are almost 'too clingy' sometimes!

i think if the could speak, the conversation would go a little something like this:

'Mom! Mom, hey Mom! Where are you going Mom? To the mailbox? Can we come? Huh, Huh? Puleeeeease? When is breakfast? Is the school bus here yet? We want to wave to the driver! Last night I dreamed that the chickens all ran away and gave us all their food! Mom, why are you walking away Mom? Can we come in the house too?"

of course, i would get NO word in edgewise.

and then this happens...

 

[farmerlor]

Quote:
They can be quite noisy if they're startled or get excited about something and they get excited about the stupidest nonsense you can imagine. Don't wear anything shiny around turkeys-that's WAY too much fun.
The broad-breasted varieties need to be processed at about 16-20 weeks or they get too big for a standard oven. Heritage turks shouldn't be processed until at least 24 weeks. I just read an article about feed conversion over 120 days and it seems like that's pretty much the standard for commercial farmers.

 

[PQ]

Make sure they are not broad breasted as you really should eat them, they can die very young because they are bred to be meat not pets.
But I do have to agree mine are great and very quite. I have small and broads have found the broads are not as friendly as the others. I hope this helps. I would also get more then one, the first one we have was one we hatched from a egg and he gets very upset if he cant hang out with the kids and will sleep on the front door step to wait for my 5 year old to come outside. He lays his head on your lap and will fall asleep. He also protects any chicks we put out. It is very odd to see him get all puffed up and push chicks under his wings.

 

[PQ]

Quote:
OK what is the grey one in the bottom picture we hatched one out and it looks just the same... Thanks again!

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Quote:
The broad breasted types are ready in about 4 to 4 1/2 months. If you really shovel the feed to them they grow super fast and huge.

Steve in NC