Many Questions About Keeping Turkey - New to Turkeys, Need Help (8 questions)

[EggzactlyRight]

This will be very lengthy, please beware.

I have absolutely no experience with turkeys. I have always liked them though, and ever since I started planning on keeping certain chicken breeds once I move in with my partner I haven't been able to stop thinking about other possible animals I'd love to have on our future property. I've decided I want rabbits, which my family has decades of experience with thankfully, but I cannot say the same about turkeys. Quite frankly, I know very little about them still.

I have started my research online after it became obvious that absolutely no one I know can help me. I have quite a lot of questions. I know there are many experienced people here on BYC so I'm hoping I can rely on you guys' kindness and wisdom.

Here are my main questions:

1. How much space do turkeys truly need in their run?
Yes, a very basic question, but there are differing answers and I do not know who to believe. The lowest answer I have found is 1 square meter per bird (10/11 square feet), which I think is ridiculous and I cannot believe that this number is correct. A more frequent number was 1.4-2.3 square meters (15-25 square feet), which is better but to me it still feels barely bare minimum. A third number that I have found on multiple sites is 10 square meters (~107 square feet), which sounds much better than the previous two, but because it differs so much from everything else I have read I don't know how accurate it is. Plus, I cannot know for sure whether we'll have enough space if the latter number is truly what I need to take into consideration when planning.

2. Are turkeys really loud? If yes, how much louder are they compared to chickens?
While reading through forums I have noticed that a large group of people say that turkeys are very loud and noisy, especially compared to chickens. Some even wrote about how they had problems with their neighbours because of the birds, which obviously is an important aspect of keeping them. However, there are just as many people talking about how much they prefer turkeys to chickens because they are only loud during the mating season and that they are not noisy at all. So... which is it?

3. Are only heritage breeds flightly, and if yes, are all of them flightly or does it depend on the individual bird's weight and/or nature?

4. Speaking of heritage breeds, are heritage breeds an absolute must if I don't want to have to buy new birds every few years? Is artificial insemination necessary for all other birds, and how difficult is it?
From what I've read so far heritage breeds are superior in most aspects, but what should one keep in consideration when choosing between breeds? Turkeys are quite big (compared to the chickens I am used to), so unless we are specifically talking about mini turkeys (which are still not too small in my opinion) I think there is more than enough meat on each individual bird that I don't have to consider breed for the meat aspect. (In relation to eggs, I just want to have enough to hatch, any additional eggs would be eaten and/or gifted to friends and family.)

5. What is the ideal tom to hen ratio when kept together at all times?
Again, this is a question that is very basic and I am only asking because of all the different answers I have found online. I understand that ratio does not really matter if the birds are separated most of the time but I'd rather not do that if possible. Many people swear that their toms can handle 18-20+ hens alone, but there are many-many people who say that the ideal ratio is around 10-14. I have also read that 5-10 hens is alright. So, again, which is it? Because if it's a relatively high number then I'm afraid I'll have to reconsider getting turkeys - I want 6-7 birds max, I don't want a large flock/gang, and I definitely don't want the hens to be overbred by the tom.

6. Is their diet difficult to accommodate compared to chickens?
I understand that turkeys have different dietary requirements than chickens, it's just that I'd love to hear opinions from people who make their own mixes at home because that's what I'll most likely do for multiple reasons. I would also love to hear about possible differences between how turkeys and chickens forage - I imagine it isn't exactly the same.

7. How do people keep their chickens and turkeys together without any major issues?
There are major differences between chickens and turkeys, such as size, diet, space requirements. While my current plan is to keep them separate, I've noticed that quite a lot people manage to keep these animals together and they seem to do quite well. How do they do this? Does the size difference not create a huge power imbalance in the run/yard? Is the risk of disease transmission not higher like this? The opinions I have seen are very contradictory, with some saying that it's perfectly fine and other swearing that it shouldn't be a thing.
Similarly, I have seen people keep ducks and turkeys together. They differ even more, don't they? Is it worth considering keeping turkeys with other poultry or is it better to just keep them separate?

8. Are there any major differences between heritage breeds?
I saw that there are many breeds, which is amazing. I'm a bit confused because I saw a handful of people mention that they aren't really different kinds but basically one, with the difference being colors. What is the specific set or requirements for a breed to be considered heritage? And if a bird doesn't breed true is it not considered heritage anymore? I don't really care which heritage breed I'll be able to get, but in my country most people just refer to them as 'turkeys', meaning that advertisments for eggs and birds don't disclose which breed they are (or if they are a mix), and lots of turkey owners don't know what their own birds are. I would love to know what turkeys I am looking at while browsing ads.


To anyone who reads my rambling and to anyone who takes the time out of their day to help me, I thank you! ​

 

[R2elk]

1. How much space do turkeys truly need in their run?
Yes, a very basic question, but there are differing answers and I do not know who to believe. The lowest answer I have found is 1 square meter per bird (10/11 square feet), which I think is ridiculous and I cannot believe that this number is correct. A more frequent number was 1.4-2.3 square meters (15-25 square feet), which is better but to me it still feels barely bare minimum. A third number that I have found on multiple sites is 10 square meters (~107 square feet), which sounds much better than the previous two, but because it differs so much from everything else I have read I don't know how accurate it is. Plus, I cannot know for sure whether we'll have enough space if the latter number is truly what I need to take into consideration when planning.

The thing is that all you see posted is minimum numbers, not optimum numbers.

In a coop, adult turkeys need a minimum of 10 sq. ft. per bird. This is free space and does not include any space taken up by feeders, waterers, etc.

For the run, they need a lot more space. I would go with a minimum of 30 sq. ft. per adult bird. More space is even better.I currently have one tom and five hens in a 50'x100' run plus they get to free range on a 2 acre fenced in area.

 

[R2elk]

2. Are turkeys really loud? If yes, how much louder are they compared to chickens?
While reading through forums I have noticed that a large group of people say that turkeys are very loud and noisy, especially compared to chickens. Some even wrote about how they had problems with their neighbours because of the birds, which obviously is an important aspect of keeping them. However, there are just as many people talking about how much they prefer turkeys to chickens because they are only loud during the mating season and that they are not noisy at all. So... which is it?

Turkeys can be loud. Toms during mating season may gobble all day long. They can be heard a long way as they call for hens to come to them.

In the wild, mating season is only in the spring but because people keep the toms with the hens, mating season for domestic turkeys can run from spring through fall.

The hens can also be loud in their own way.

The key here is that most people like the sound of turkeys especially the toms gobbling and will often attempt to get them to respond to their own attempts.

 

[R2elk]

3. Are only heritage breeds flightly, and if yes, are all of them flightly or does it depend on the individual bird's weight and/or nature?

All domestic turkeys are the breed Turkey. Broad Breasted varieties fly very well until they gain enough weight to ground them. Even then they can jump a lot higher than people think they can.

Heritage varieties can be flighty with the small Royal Palms beig the ones most likely to fly. The hens of the larger heritage varieties fly well but once the toms hit their first breeding season they tend to forget that they can fly.

 

[R2elk]

4. Speaking of heritage breeds, are heritage breeds an absolute must if I don't want to have to buy new birds every few years? Is artificial insemination necessary for all other birds, and how difficult is it?
From what I've read so far heritage breeds are superior in most aspects, but what should one keep in consideration when choosing between breeds? Turkeys are quite big (compared to the chickens I am used to), so unless we are specifically talking about mini turkeys (which are still not too small in my opinion) I think there is more than enough meat on each individual bird that I don't have to consider breed for the meat aspect. (In relation to eggs, I just want to have enough to hatch, any additional eggs would be eaten and/or gifted to friends and family.)

Again there is only one breed - Turkey.

Heritage and Broad Breasted varieties are both capable of breeding on their own but for successful natural breeding of broad breasted varieties it is best to only use yearling turkeys for the breeding flock.

Broad breasted varieties can be a challenge to keep alive long term as they are meant for fast growth and to be harvested by the time they are 6 months old. With special care for their diet and exercise they can be kept healthy for years.

Heritage varieties are much easier to keep alive for many years and are better at natural breeding. It is still wise to change out the breeding flock at around 3 to 4 years for the toms and 4 to 5 years for the hens.

How good at laying eggs the hens are depends more on the individual hen than it does on the variety of turkey.

Turkeys are seasonal layers.

 

[R2elk]

5. What is the ideal tom to hen ratio when kept together at all times?
Again, this is a question that is very basic and I am only asking because of all the different answers I have found online. I understand that ratio does not really matter if the birds are separated most of the time but I'd rather not do that if possible. Many people swear that their toms can handle 18-20+ hens alone, but there are many-many people who say that the ideal ratio is around 10-14. I have also read that 5-10 hens is alright. So, again, which is it? Because if it's a relatively high number then I'm afraid I'll have to reconsider getting turkeys - I want 6-7 birds max, I don't want a large flock/gang, and I definitely don't want the hens to be overbred by the tom.

I try to keep at least 4 to 5 hens for one tom.

Toms are capable of taking care of ten hens. Each tom is its own individual with its own quirks.

I had one tom that would only breed his favorites at the start of breeding season and did not breed the rest of the hens until his favorites went broody. Other toms were not so picky.

An individual hen may also refuse a specific tom for her own reasons so there are no guaranties that a tom will breed all of his hens no matter how small the flock is.

For 6 to 7 birds maximum, you will want one tom with the rest being hens.

 

[R2elk]

6. Is their diet difficult to accommodate compared to chickens?
I understand that turkeys have different dietary requirements than chickens, it's just that I'd love to hear opinions from people who make their own mixes at home because that's what I'll most likely do for multiple reasons. I would also love to hear about possible differences between how turkeys and chickens forage - I imagine it isn't exactly the same.

Poults require a high protein starter feed at 28% t0 30% protein with the higher levels of lysine, methionine and niacin that it provides for proper growth and development. They should be on the starter feed for the first 6 to 8 weeks. The next 6 weeks should be a quality turkey or game bird grower feed at about 24% protein.

Adults do well on a quality all flock feed with free choice oyster shell on the side. I feed mine 20% protein all flock pellets.

 

[R2elk]

7. How do people keep their chickens and turkeys together without any major issues?
There are major differences between chickens and turkeys, such as size, diet, space requirements. While my current plan is to keep them separate, I've noticed that quite a lot people manage to keep these animals together and they seem to do quite well. How do they do this? Does the size difference not create a huge power imbalance in the run/yard? Is the risk of disease transmission not higher like this? The opinions I have seen are very contradictory, with some saying that it's perfectly fine and other swearing that it shouldn't be a thing.
Similarly, I have seen people keep ducks and turkeys together. They differ even more, don't they? Is it worth considering keeping turkeys with other poultry or is it better to just keep them separate?

Ideally turkeys should be kept separate.

If you are going to keep them with other poultry, it helps greatly to brood and raise them separately to prevent any issues coming from imprinting.

If you live in an area where blackhead is a problem, you definitely want to keep your turkeys separate from the chickens and off of any ground that chickens have been as chickens can be carriers of blackhead. Chickens can survive it but it can be a death sentence to turkeys.

 

[R2elk]

8. Are there any major differences between heritage breeds?
I saw that there are many breeds, which is amazing. I'm a bit confused because I saw a handful of people mention that they aren't really different kinds but basically one, with the difference being colors. What is the specific set or requirements for a breed to be considered heritage? And if a bird doesn't breed true is it not considered heritage anymore? I don't really care which heritage breed I'll be able to get, but in my country most people just refer to them as 'turkeys', meaning that advertisments for eggs and birds don't disclose which breed they are (or if they are a mix), and lots of turkey owners don't know what their own birds are. I would love to know what turkeys I am looking at while browsing ads.

Again, all domestic turkeys are the breed Turkey.

There are many varieties of the breed Turkey.

You can learn a lot about heritage turkeys at Porter's Rare Heritage Turkeys.

Only the varieties that are homozygous for their color genes will breed true. There are many varieties which have at least one heterozygous color gene that will not breed true.

Turkeys are far too closely related to be considered separate breeds. If you breed a Sweetgrass tom to a Royal Palm hen, all of the offspring will be Sweetgrass. The female offspring will be pure Sweetgrass while the males will be Sweetgrass carrying a hidden Narragansett gene.

There are other similar examples.

Unfortunately many people do not know what varieties of turkeys they have and often think that what they have is something different from what they actually have.