I want to try turkeys but are they really that difficult...

[aurorarose25]

I was hoping to get a breeding pair of turkeys so I can hatch out some turks for eatn every now and then. But almost everyone says they are very hard to take care of. is this true? If not what breed should I do? I want a good turkey just for the holidays..

 

[jasonm11]

So long as you keep them warm and dry and feed high protein feed the first 4 months tehy are not so bad. They do get respiratory problems more often than other fowl and if they get it you need to treat fast with something like tylan-50. They are very enjoyable to have around and can be quite freindly and inquisitive. i enjoy mine much more than the chickens or ducks.

you will have to do some research on the breed that fits you best. Some like a very large bird others like a certain color. i myself have bourbon reds, merriam, and bronze. My favorite is the bourbon reds, they seem less flightly and more freindly. if you want one for meat start out with a broad breasted white or bronze and figure on proxcessing him by 6 months. this way you have a large turkey dinner on a short lived species and get a taste of wheather they are right for the long haul

 

[aurorarose25]

Quote:
where can I get a BBW? either eggs or chicks. just a couple to try out.

 

[jasonm11]

local feed store should be more than willing to ship in. get day old poults and go from their.

 

[Denninmi]

Quote:
Also, check out craigslist, someone locally may have some. Last resort is mail order, but I'd be concerned about doing that in Arizona in the summer, they would probably cook in transit.

 

[erinszoo]

We just got two this year that were surprise ones from a package deal from a hatchery. They both did really well for the first three weeks and then one of them quit eating and quit gaining weight and eventually died. The other one, which we think is a Midget White, is going strong and wants to be with us all the time or with our other birds. Most mail order hatcheries make you buy 8 - 15 birds at a time which we didn't have room for. Next year I think we'll try ordering through the farm store in town so we can get what we want.

I was taking pictures of my chickens when turkey just had to be included and see what the fuss was all about.

 

[mamawolf544]

I love turkey's. I have 5 breeds now, they are like Lay's potato chips.