I like to raise some turkeys but need some advice please help

[jm93030]

Hello Boys and Girls


I like to raise some turkeys and like to know if there is time if I want them ready by Thanksgiving

Will they grow fast ?

any specific breed for fast grow?

Thank you all

 

[Denninmi]

Heritage breeds wouldn't be big enough, but if you can find some of the standard commercially raised broadbreasted white or bronze, those should be large enough, not massive, but decent.

 

[ColbyNTX]

Your only option of you want a heritage turkey this thanksgiving then find one around 3 months old now. You can order broad breasted and they will be huge by thanksgiving with good genetics and feed by then. Here is a link to a good hatchery in Texas that has them.

https://secuservices.com/ideal/newideal/selectproduct.aspx?qty=1&ID=BTS&Product=281

 

[jm93030]

Thank you guys

There is a hatchery about 4 hours form where I am and this are the turkey breeds they have.
TURKEYS (ST. RUN ONLY)
Broad-Breasted White Turkey $ 4.95
Bronze Turkey $5.32

what do you think will be my best option?
I really apreciate your advice

 

[onthespot]

broad breasted white should do fine. Go for it!

 

[CYGChickies]

The broad-breasted will be bigger I think but I don't know if it's as tasty as a bronze would be, not sure. I'd get a few extras since poults can be fragile, but maybe you won't have any problems. I avoided the difficulty by finding my Narragansett poults a month old. They're little troopers. Good luck with your turkey!

CYG

 

[onthespot]

I have qute a few started poults, if you wanted to buy some. They are about two months old, sweetgrass and midget whites. I have a much older midget white girlie poult also. There are a couple of bourbon reds around five weeks or so, if you wanted reds. I will have to go to Van Nuys in about a week, that is quite a ways your direction... just a thought. PM me if you are interested.

 

[chickened]

It takes 6 months for the heritage types or longer and the feed to meat ratio is poor. I raise Bourbon Reds but get BB whites or bronze for eating and let them free range during the summer months for the bugs and such and they are plump and about 25 to 35 pounds by fall. I feed free choice but they forage more and eat pelleted feed as a staple. I would get them right away and raise twice what you want to allow for losses.

 

[Arielle]

15 years ago I raised a batch of 6 BBB and didn't loose a one; I provided shelter, clean water and good feed. This year, I'm raising BBW.

A BBW grows a bit faster than the BBB and has a bit larger body; both are the super fast, great feed conversion type birds. BBW/BBB grow to market weight in 4-5 months. The BBWor BBB if you get poults now is your best bet for Thanksgiving. You might enjoy raising a heritage type which at 8 months old has the right muscling and fattening. Just plan on serving that one up for a special Sunday dinner in mid-winter. Feed them good feed and grasses, etc. and both birds heritage and BBW will taste remarkably better than the grocery store bird. IMHO

GL

 

[jm93030]

Quote:
Exellent

Thank you so much