completely new to turkeys

[Sore Thumb Suburbanite]

I just had a few quick questions now that my sister gave me 2 turkeys....
I want to know how long before they stop making their cute peep sounds and begin to gobble
I need to know how soon before I can process them
I need to know how soon before I can switch them to layer feed thats 18% protein.
How soon before these things are big enough to deter predators so they can be freeranging?


I think these turkeys are about a month-6weeks old, I have no idea the breed other than they're mostly brown and show no inclination to fly or roost so far so I'm guessing they aren't wild. Their tail feathers coming in are cream colored. They were ordered from a hatchery as eggs...well, they came in stead of chicken eggs, some mixup happened...anyway I 'm just indicating they probably aren't a rare breed that most hatcheries don't carry.

 

[KrisH]

Quote:Originally Posted by Sore Thumb Suburbanite

I just had a few quick questions now that my sister gave me 2 turkeys....
I want to know how long before they stop making their cute peep sounds and begin to gobble
Hens never will gobble, toms could have started trying by now.

I need to know how soon before I can process them
Depends if broad breaster or heritage. BB could be as soon as 16 weeks or so, Heritage 6 months or more

I need to know how soon before I can switch them to layer feed thats 18% protein.
Don't rush it. They should be on game bird starter at about 30% protien for at least 6 weeks. then we use Purina flock raiser which is 20%

How soon before these things are big enough to deter predators so they can be freeranging?
That depends on your preditors. there is no safe answer on that one. it's a judgement call as to how much risk you are willing to take.


Best of luck

RobertH