How old until...

[Kedreeva]

So we are going to an animal swap meet this weekend and I was planning on looking for some young turkeys to raise for thanksgiving. Unfortunately I know very little about turkeys, including what sort to look for or what age.

So the questions are:
What sort of turkey would be best for a thanksgiving dinner?
Would male or female be better?
How old should I look for so they are ready by then?
We already have chickens and have cared for peafowl and ducks. Do turkey need some sort of special accommodation or can they be housed with the chickens? I will of course look into this on my own as well.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

If you are looking for a heritage turkey you want them at least 6 months for dinner, we like them more in the 8 to 10 month range. Our favorite table birds are the Midget White and Bourbon Red. A female will be smaller and have less breast meat than a male, you don't want one to old or you run the risk of it being tough. We raise our birds together with no problems but I would be leery of introducing an outside turkey into our flock.

If you get a broad breasted type they are ready in 4 months give or take, they don't have the great taste of a heritage bird but still better than store bought.

Steve

 

[Kedreeva]

Will probably look for heritage or bourbon red, but what are the broad breasted? Is that what they are actually called or is there a certain breed name I can look for in case I can't find the others where I am going?

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

The Bourbon is a heritage turkey, if you go that route you want one about 4 months old now, that would give you 7 months for Thanksgiving.

The Broad Breasted type are like the cornish cross of turkeys. There are Broad breasted white and Broad brested bronze, that is the name of them.

Steve

 

[Kedreeva]

Well, shows ya how much I know!

Thank you for the response

I will certainly have better luck now.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

if you have any other questions feel free, you will be amazed at the taste difference if you have never had a heritage turkey before.

Steve