How many Turkey's do you need for breeding?

[SemiQ]

Okay, so I was wondering how many heritage turkeys would you need for them to live comfortably together and breed? I have heard people say 1 Tom to 5 hens and I've even heard 1 Tom to 15 hens. I'm not looking to breed for meat or anything. I was just wondering since one day I hope to have some as pets.

 

[Crazydoglady99]

You need millions.. turkeys are so sweet. They are the loveliest pet we've had (not counting my precious dogs).

 

[R2elk]

Okay, so I was wondering how many heritage turkeys would you need for them to live comfortably together and breed? I have heard people say 1 Tom to 5 hens and I've even heard 1 Tom to 15 hens. I'm not looking to breed for meat or anything. I was just wondering since one day I hope to have some as pets.

I try to keep at least 4 to 5 hens for one tom. It greatly eases the wear and tear on the hens and usually keeps the tom from over breeding a hen. A single tom can service at least ten hens.

Keeping a single hen with one tom requires that they be separated once the hen goes broody to protect her and her eggs. A lot of turkey as a pet owners are going for one tom and two hens but two hens are not enough to keep a tom busy especially if both hens go broody at the same time.

If you just want them as pets and don't want to keep a whole passel of them, just get two or three hens and no toms.

Good luck.

 

[SemiQ]

You need millions.. turkeys are so sweet. They are the loveliest pet we've had (not counting my precious dogs).

Yes!

I try to keep at least 4 to 5 hens for one tom. It greatly eases the wear and tear on the hens and usually keeps the tom from over breeding a hen. A single tom can service at least ten hens.


Keeping a single hen with one tom requires that they be separated once the hen goes broody to protect her and her eggs. A lot of turkey as a pet owners are going for one tom and two hens but two hens are not enough to keep a tom busy especially if both hens go broody at the same time.

If you just want them as pets and don't want to keep a whole passel of them, just get two or three hens and no toms.

Good luck.

I should be able to keep 5 hens and 1tom, thank you for the advice!

 

[MillersFarm]

5-6 hens per tom is a good ratio. I like to play it safe though, I currently have 8 hens for my one tom. One of my hens is a little bare-backed since the tom favor's her more than the others, Might actually get rid of her, but besides that everyone seems to be happy with each other..

 

[R2elk]

5-6 hens per tom is a good ratio. I like to play it safe though, I currently have 8 hens for my one tom. One of my hens is a little bare-backed since the tom favor's her more than the others, Might actually get rid of her, but besides that everyone seems to be happy with each other..

Or just get her a turkey saddle.

 

[MillersFarm]

Or just get her a turkey saddle.

I've already got a friend who'd take her. Don't want to waste time and money on a saddle for her..

 

[R2elk]

I've already got a friend who'd take her. Don't want to waste time and money on a saddle for her..

I rarely use a turkey saddle but I do keep some on hand because you just never know when it will come in handy.