Getting adult turkeys

[my sunwolf]

I've decided to start with some adult turkeys as my "first turkeys." But I have no idea how to care for them!!! I'm supposed to be buying a standard Bronze trio on Friday, and all I have is some pasture and an old shed. I also have chickens, and am a little worried about the dreaded blackhead. My original plan was to free-range them in the backyard, but now I'm worried that they are going to just run off into the woods, especially since they didn't grow up on my property or around me. How can I help their adjustment? I'm thinking about keeping them locked in the coop for a few weeks until I can get a run built so that they can't run away. But I'm not loving the idea of trying to feed turkeys who are not free ranging. Any advice?

 

[Celie]

I would keep them in the coop (shed) and feed them there for a few weeks, so they know where home and feed is, then let them out a little at a time and maybe consider keeping one inside the shed while the other two are free ranging. That way they should not run off, until they get used to their new home.

 

[my sunwolf]

I would keep them in the coop (shed) and feed them there for a few weeks, so they know where home and feed is, then let them out a little at a time and maybe consider keeping one inside the shed while the other two are free ranging. That way they should not run off, until they get used to their new home.

Thank you very much for your response! I might not go through with this since the seller hasn't sent me photos yet. I'm not too keen on buying birds that are in bad shape, so I might wait to raise some poults. Is it true that when you raise them they get attached to you? And do you know why people have such trouble raising baby turkeys??

 

[Celie]

Yes, turkeys imprint of whoever the see most when they are very young, that is why when you hand raise them, they are gentlier than when mama turkey hen raises them, but in turn they will become more dependent on you and not free range as well.
Adult turkeys are as tough as nails, but young poults have a high mortality rate in nature. When young, first 6 to 12 weeks, depending on weather, they need heat and a draft free brooder. They will get a chill very easily and die suddenly. They do very well as song as you can keep them warm and out of wet or drafts until the weather is quite warm.