Did I do something wrong? Turkeys gained very little weight in 7 months

[natyvidal]

Hi everyone! Sorry to bother again but I need profesional advice! I bought these Narrangasett poults in spring. Born April 28. Fed them high protein meat maker feed, 28% protein, corn and Some table scraps. I also allowed them to free range in my property all day. I have 5 acres. At night I herd them into an enclosure for safety. If I had to leave on a long trip I kept them enclosed for their safety, with food and water, the longest they’ve been caged was for two weeks. In the last two to three weeks before “processing” for thanksgiving, I lowered the feed protein content to 18% more or less per instruction in a different post and increased the carbs they ate. Cracked corn, stale whole wheat bread, etc.

Well, I am not sure why but their weight today before “processing” was only between 17 lbs and 15.5 lbs! Once they were processed or I think it’s called dressed they weighted 15 to 13 lbs!

i thought they would be heavier than that in 7 months? The information I read on the Narrangasett breed said they can

reach a weight of 20 lbs?



We only processed 2 out of the five today. I decided to give them one more month to see if they will gain more weight. Will they become stringy? Not as tender? And if it’s ok to wait one more month what else can I do for them to gain weight? If I keep them coop up all the time then they are not free range! Any information to improve weight is welcome. The quality of the dressed turkeys seemed good. Just small. . Maybe because they are heritage turkeys they grow very slow?. Thank you ahead of time for your help!

 

[R2elk]

Hi everyone! Sorry to bother again but I need professional advice! I bought these Narragansett poults in spring. Born April 28. Fed them high protein meat maker feed, 28% protein, corn and Some table scraps. I also allowed them to free range in my property all day. I have 5 acres. At night I herd them into an enclosure for safety. If I had to leave on a long trip I kept them enclosed for their safety, with food and water, the longest they’ve been caged was for two weeks. In the last two to three weeks before “processing” for thanksgiving, I lowered the feed protein content to 18% more or less per instruction in a different post and increased the carbs they ate. Cracked corn, stale whole wheat bread, etc.

Well, I am not sure why but their weight today before “processing” was only between 17 lbs and 15.5 lbs! Once they were processed or I think it’s called dressed they weighted 15 to 13 lbs!

i thought they would be heavier than that in 7 months? The information I read on the Narragansett variety said they can reach a weight of 20 lbs?



We only processed 2 out of the five today. I decided to give them one more month to see if they will gain more weight. Will they become stringy? Not as tender? And if it’s ok to wait one more month what else can I do for them to gain weight? If I keep them coop up all the time then they are not free range! Any information to improve weight is welcome. The quality of the dressed turkeys seemed good. Just small. . Maybe because they are heritage turkeys they grow very slow?. Thank you ahead of time for your help!

Narragansett toms as well as many other heritage turkey varieties can reach a dressed weight of 20 lbs. but don't expect it by 7 months old. I have processed Bourbon Reds that dressed out at 22 lbs. when they were a year old.

I have processed heritage turkeys as much as 3 1/2 years old that were fine with proper aging and cooking.

 

[mandelyn]

Ours were 15.1 and 16lbs, both Narragansetts, at 7 months old. March hatch for sure for Heritage birds destined for Thanksgiving. Last year ours were 10-11 pounds from late April hatch. Didn't have a scale for the year before.

I wouldn't want a broad breasted from March, perhaps a June/July hatch for them.

 

[Cheychey222]

Hi everyone! Sorry to bother again but I need profesional advice! I bought these Narrangasett poults in spring. Born April 28. Fed them high protein meat maker feed, 28% protein, corn and Some table scraps. I also allowed them to free range in my property all day. I have 5 acres. At night I herd them into an enclosure for safety. If I had to leave on a long trip I kept them enclosed for their safety, with food and water, the longest they’ve been caged was for two weeks. In the last two to three weeks before “processing” for thanksgiving, I lowered the feed protein content to 18% more or less per instruction in a different post and increased the carbs they ate. Cracked corn, stale whole wheat bread, etc.

Well, I am not sure why but their weight today before “processing” was only between 17 lbs and 15.5 lbs! Once they were processed or I think it’s called dressed they weighted 15 to 13 lbs!

i thought they would be heavier than that in 7 months? The information I read on the Narrangasett breed said they can

reach a weight of 20 lbs?



We only processed 2 out of the five today. I decided to give them one more month to see if they will gain more weight. Will they become stringy? Not as tender? And if it’s ok to wait one more month what else can I do for them to gain weight? If I keep them coop up all the time then they are not free range! Any information to improve weight is welcome. The quality of the dressed turkeys seemed good. Just small. . Maybe because they are heritage turkeys they grow very slow?. Thank you ahead of time for your help!

Let them free range and don’t have them cooped up

 

[Mylied]

That's what I raised this year and mine was in 12-14 lbs. It's because they're heritage. Everything heritage grows slow but the taste should be amazing. Even so, I'll probably do a broad breasted next year. You did everything right.

 

[natyvidal]

They free range during the day. During the night, because of predators, I keep them in a big cage with perches. Although, some nights, when I get out there after sunset, they are already perched on top of the coop. Anyway thank you so much for all your answers.
Next year hopefully the pair I am keeping, will start giving me babies early in spring and I’ll give them more time to grow! It’s good to know that I did everything right for my first time! Owe that to backyard chicken and all the great advice!