Heritage turkeys

[XChickenCrossingX]

I plan to get turkeys sometime soon.. or turkey because i only want one. I found out that a cross between a chicken and a turkey was possible! Well, the broad breasted turkeys would kill my hens trying to mate. But the heritage turkey is more like a wild turkey and weighs about a large chicken breed. Is it a good idea to get one?

 

[R2elk]

I plan to get turkeys sometime soon.. or turkey because i only want one. I found out that a cross between a chicken and a turkey was possible! Well, the broad breasted turkeys would kill my hens trying to mate. But the heritage turkey is more like a wild turkey and weighs about a large chicken breed. Is it a good idea to get one?

I don't know where you got your information that you can get a cross from a turkey and a chicken but it is false. There have been scientific studies done and they were never able to produce a live hybrid from a chicken and a turkey. You can get guinea chicken hybrids and even pheasant and chicken crosses and I have seen reports of guinea and peacocks being able to cross breed but it does not work with turkeys and chickens.

Unless you are raising a turkey through one season for processing to eat, it is never a good idea to have just one turkey. Turkeys are sociable flock birds and should have company of their own kind.

Heritage turkey toms are quite capable of killing chickens if they try to breed them.

 

[sfgwife]

I plan to get turkeys sometime soon.. or turkey because i only want one. I found out that a cross between a chicken and a turkey was possible! Well, the broad breasted turkeys would kill my hens trying to mate. But the heritage turkey is more like a wild turkey and weighs about a large chicken breed. Is it a good idea to get one?

I wonder if you saw a turken or naked neck chicken (two names one breed)... those are actual chickens not hybrids.

 

[jermoatc]

I am seeking to acquire bourbon red turkeys close to southern Minnesota. Does anybody know any breeders around the area??

 

[HeritageButcherBlock.com]

We have 50 heritage <Barred Plymouth Rock> chicken laying hens that have access to the open fields during daylight hours. We sell the eggs.

We want to add 10 heritage <Bourbon Red> turkey laying hens and one male turkey that will also have access to the open fields during daylight hours. We plan to incubate these eggs and sell the chicks

Will the male turkey cause harm to the chicken hens for any reason like aggression? There is no chicken rooster.

If I make the coop turkey size can these birds all share a bunk house?

If I make one section of nests turkey size and the other 3 sections chicken size can these laying hens accommodate each other?

If not how do I make sure the chickens go into one coop and turkeys into the second coop?

 

[feedman77]

I keep my hens contained during egging season. Turkey hens are notorious for finding the most out of the way places to lay. Especially if ranged.

Unless you keep them confined to a coop run area Turkey's don't like to roost in a coop like chickens.

Trees tops, roofs, cars Turkey's roost wherever there feel like. Mine will roost outside even in severe weather. Rain, snow and ice.

If the male Turkey has enough hens of his own chickens getting harmed by the Tom are small. My hens seem to have more engagements with chickens than the tom.

 

[HeritageButcherBlock.com]

I keep my hens contained during egging season. Turkey hens are notorious for finding the most out of the way places to lay. Especially if ranged.

Unless you keep them confined to a coop run area Turkey's don't like to roost in a coop like chickens.

Trees tops, roofs, cars Turkey's roost wherever there feel like. Mine will roost outside even in severe weather. Rain, snow and ice.

If the male Turkey has enough hens of his own chickens getting harmed by the Tom are small. My hens seem to have more engagements with chickens than the tom.

Very interesting. Thank you.

 

[Lindsey May]

I am seeking to acquire bourbon red turkeys close to southern Minnesota. Does anybody know any breeders around the area??

In total honesty, try Craigslist! Just know it can take a while to have someone get back to you. However, if you're looking for small orders...going through craiglist or someone who runs a small operation locally will save you money. Otherwise you will get hammered with a small order charge for shipping (from a big company anyway).