How do I know how many chickens, turkeys, and geese to overwinter?

[fordguy]

So that I can have enough meat birds next year? for example, three hen turkeys produced 15 surviving chicks. Now we will overwinter 2 toms and about 8 hens . This should produce quite a few meat birds for next year. They are bourbon reds free ranged in a large fenced orchard. How many turkeys are affordable for the small homesteader?

How about geese? (pilgrims and emdens)

thanks.

 

[Amyh]

I think it depends on what you are planning to do with them. Do you want them for your own consumption or are you selling them? How many people are in your family? How much land do you have?

There are so many variables, it's not feasible to give an answer with the info provided...

 

[Azriel]

It depends on 1st, how many can you afford to feed. Then how many do you need. Myself, I would only keep 1 tom and 2-3 hens, that would give me more than I would use. Chickens, I eat alot of chicken , plus I eat lots of eggs and sell eggs, so I would keep more of them. I don't do ducks or geese, so wouldn't know about them.