Breeds: Help Me Pick!

[Welshies]

Hi there
So after having ducks, quail and now chickens I am caught up between quail and turkeys.
However due to the need for larger meals and more eggs I have decided on turkeys.
I am looking for a relatively pretty breed that lays a moderate amount of eggs, however often broods and hatches them (as I want to raise my own dinners and sell turkey poults or eggs). A smaller breed is fine as I have about 100 sq ft of coop space, and a 400 sq ft run area under expansion (I also have chickens who will share the run with them).
Preferably fairly docile (non flying if possible but I will gladly trim wings).

 

[R2elk]

Hi there
So after having ducks, quail and now chickens I am caught up between quail and turkeys.
However due to the need for larger meals and more eggs I have decided on turkeys.
I am looking for a relatively pretty breed that lays a moderate amount of eggs, however often broods and hatches them (as I want to raise my own dinners and sell turkey poults or eggs). A smaller breed is fine as I have about 100 sq ft of coop space, and a 400 sq ft run area under expansion (I also have chickens who will share the run with them).
Preferably fairly docile (non flying if possible but I will gladly trim wings).

Read the Turkeys 101 thread.

Check out Porter's Rare Heritage Turkeys for a view of many of the heritage varieties available.

Turkeys need much more "personal" space than chickens.

Learn about blackhead and whether or not it is an issue where you live. If it is an issue then it is not wise to raise chickens and turkeys together.

Some people can raise chickens and turkeys together with only minor issues but others have had turkeys kill their chickens.

Turkeys are a seasonal layer with the normal laying period between spring and fall.

 

[Welshies]

Read the Turkeys 101 thread.

Check out Porter's Rare Heritage Turkeys for a view of many of the heritage varieties available.

Turkeys need much more "personal" space than chickens.

Learn about blackhead and whether or not it is an issue where you live. If it is an issue then it is not wise to raise chickens and turkeys together.

Some people can raise chickens and turkeys together with only minor issues but others have had turkeys kill their chickens.

Turkeys are a seasonal layer with the normal laying period between spring and fall.

I have a seperate run area prepped for the turkeys in case they cannot run together. I have never heard of blackhead here we get to -40° in winter. Alberta.
And yes I did know that.

 

[casportpony]

I have a seperate run area prepped for the turkeys in case they cannot run together. I have never heard of blackhead here we get to -40° in winter. Alberta.
And yes I did know that.

I'd be will to bet money that people in Alberta have lost turkeys to blackhead (histomoniasis).

 

[Welshies]

I'd be will to bet money that people in Alberta have lost turkeys to blackhead (histomoniasis).

Seems I've never had issues nor has anyone I've known. Even quail and pheasants here don't die upon chicken contact

 

[casportpony]

Seems I've never had issues nor has anyone I've known. Even quail and pheasants here don't die upon chicken contact

There is no way to know unless a necropsy is done on *every* chicken, quail, turkey, peafowl, etc. How many people do you know that have done this?

 

[Welshies]

There is no way to know unless a necropsy is done on *every* chicken, quail, turkey, peafowl, etc. How many people do you know that have done this?

Quite a few, actually. Myself for starts.
A few different neighbours here and there, a few breeders, one local hatchery, and so on.
I don't know why but we've never had issues.

 

[casportpony]

It's gotta be every one.

 

[Welshies]

It's gotta be every one.

?

 

[casportpony]

?

If everyone in Alberta sent in *all* deceased fowl for necropsy and no blackhead was found then you could say that the chance of getting blackhead in Alberta was slim. But necropsies cost money, yes? They are practically free here in California ($20), and they are free in many states, but the majority of people just bury their dead birds.