Overwintering Turkeys Bad Idea?

[JuicyFatHead]

First, we live in Alaska. There is about 5 feet of snow on the ground, it was -4 yesterday, but that's unusual. It is usually 10-35F all winter. Our turkeys have plenty of covered, snow free area that they share with the ducks and chickens. They also have the duck house in which they prefer to sleep.

But, am I losing meat by holding off harvesting!? We had a good year on fish and deer, so our freezers are quite full and I honestly needed a reason to hold off harvesting the last two. We are first timers with turkeys.

My other question, if I kill just one, the other would be miserable right?

Thank you for taking the time to answer!

 

[Alaskan]

I had turkeys for the first time this year.....they always looked cold!

I had to rearrange things so they had warmer housing.

So.....if you are looking for cost effective meat...kill them now.



And yes, one by itself would be very sad.

 

[Lagerdogger]

The cold won't bother them a bit. Mine are outside all winter and they do fine in -35. You will have to pay to feed them all winter. After about 30 to 35 weeks you've probably maxed out on making more meat/dollar, so the cost per pound of meat will start to go up. With just two turkeys, though, they really won't cost too much to keep another 5 months. It costs me about $12 per bird to keep them from Thanksgiving until they hatch new broods around May 1.

 

[ruralmom]

I agree with Lagerdogger, I have 22 Beltsville whites and this is there 3rd year of being free range in the high county of Colorado. Yesterday it may of gotten 30 in the full sun, wind blocked area and they just basked in the sun. I have never lost a bird to cold or critter. They have a shed to go into they just choose to roast wherever they feel like it.
Logerdoger, is the standard bronze a cousin to the 'wild ' rio grandes?