Is it to late to start turkeys for Thanksgiving?

[chick a chick a bang bang]

Hello! I would like to raise a turkey for meat specifically for Thanksgiving.. and I would like to raise a heritage breed. I'm worried that because they grow slower maybe they wouldn't be ready by Thanksgiving? I'm trying to find information about how long breeds grow before they are ready. Any help would be appreciated!!

Thanks all!!

 

[VerlonCox]

You should be able to find someone locally with some older poults in your area. I dont think that its too late at all even if you started with some day olds. If you give them the right feed with the right amount of protein you will have some excellent table fare this year. If you are worried about it then just raise two of them up. I personally prefer a younger and smaller bird (more flavor) over a large bird but I always have plenty on hand too. I would recommend going with a lighter colored bird if you haven't ever done it before. A broad breasted bird will put on weight FAST but I dont like their flavor as much and they are more trouble then they are worth.

 

[turkey guru]

if your going to raise heritage birds, 1st is carcass weights are smaller,2nd -feed lot birds grow the fastest(pen small area feed all the time,also greens grass clippings vegs ect...) open range birds have feed all the time and run loose! so carcass weights are smaller,feed lot birds gain fastest, open range are slower gainers, I run open range it take about 9/10 months hen 8/10 lbs tom 10/14 pounds good luck Tom111

 

[chick a chick a bang bang]

Why a lighter colored bird? Easier to spot??

 

[turkey guru]

easyer to pick!!! easyer to clean, cleaner carcass

 

[Struttn1]

Quote:
If you are going to raise one for Thanksgiving a broadbreasted bird will grow faster. If you have very many mouths to feed it may take a couple of the heritage birds. I have an extra Bourbon Red that will be about a year old around Thanksgiving and I am thinking deep fryer or smoker is in his future.

 

[VerlonCox]

IF you guys haven't ever had a smoked turkey you HAVE GOT to try it. It is probably the ugliest carcass when done but that is some good good eating!! We cooked one alongside a 180 pound hog and it looked horrible but it was some of the best turkey I have ever eaten. My mouth is watering now thinking about it................I may have to invite one of my tom's to dinner this weekend.................. Thanks for reminding me of that Struttn1....................you are now officially responsible for one turkey homicide at my house!

 

[chick a chick a bang bang]

Our turkeys would be out at the pasture with our sheep. They would be fenced, but in a large area, and the fenced area moved around so they would have fresh grazing space. Maybe we'll have to try a few this spring and see how it goes. What kind of turkeys do you have turkey friends?

 

[Struttn1]

Royal Palms, Bourbon Reds and a Black Spanish who is without a mate because the jerk across the road shot my hen last year. Bucheits in Cape Girardeau will be getting a shipment of all varieties of turkey poults in on April the 5th and I plan to be there to latch on to a few Black Spanish.

I also have a wild Eastern jake that hangs around my pens all day long but goes across the highline in the evening to roost in the tallest oak tree he can find but he is always standing beside the pens at the first crack of daylight.

 

[KOTurkeyRanch]

you should penalize your stupid neighbor

that would really grind my gears. lol