Question about Turkeys

[ShashwatAcres]

OK so I am wanting to get atleast 4 turkeys for next years holiday meals lol sorry but thats what I want to do but I do have a couple of questions if you dont mind. what breed would be best for this ? and what type of feed would be best beside free ranging
thank you for your advice

 

[jasonm11]

Quote:
BEFORE YOU GO SPEND ANY MONEY, READ THE STICKIES THAT ARE PROVIDED. Sorry about caps. The stickies are a wealth of info about turkeys and you can read thru them in a few hours and get more info than asking questions for the next six months. I would recommend any heritage bird to you just make sure you get them by april to allow tehm plenty of time to get teh weight on them. You can do the production broad breasted birds but they are not as much fun, pretty, or long lived. They will taste better than store bought but you really will have no choice but to butcher them by 6 to 9 months where as any heritage bird can live happily 10 yrs or more if you decide you don't want to butcher youre new turkey freinds. Remember, read the stickies and welcome.aboard

 

[ShashwatAcres]

Oh I have read the stickys but I always figure what a better way to find out more than to ask questions. sorry

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

The American Poultry Association currently recognizes the following varieties of Turkeys. All are considered Heritage varieties.

Black

Bourbon Red

Slate

Narragansett

White Holland

Bronze

Beltsville White

Royal Palm


The Royal Palm was developed as a show bird, however its is tasty, just less breast meat. Read everything on heritage turkeys at

http://exhibitionturkeyfanciers.bravehost.com/Heritage.html

http://www.albc-usa.org/EducationalResources/downloads.html

http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/wtchlist.html#turkeys

You can order from hatcheries listed at https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=437644

The best breed is the one you like best. Any will do. I would suggest picking a variety that if you can not kill them, you will be happy with the next 5 to 10+ years. Best feed is whatever your local feed store/mill has available for turkeys. Any more questions, just ask. The only stupid question is the one you fail to ask!

 

[ShashwatAcres]

Thank you for your replies. I was actually considering White Broad Breasted Turkey if anyone has any helpful information it would be greatly appreciated.I have until March/April before any turkeys would be here. Already have a coop and run built for them of course they would free range durning the day when I was home. so like I said before any and all helpful information would be greatly appreciated.
TIA

 

[ColbyNTX]

You want to get a heritage bird in March/April! BBW or BBB should be more like July. They are ready at 4-6 months and anything longer than that, they won't fit in a normal oven. You can get them in early spring and butcher and put in the freezer 3-4 months but I like mine fresh and never frozen.

 

[java girl 2]

Quote:
the only thing is with them is they will eat you out of house and home !!

that is why I have the Heritage turkeys

 

[ShashwatAcres]

LOL well my sister is the one who suggested that we get the ones I said but if someone has a suggestion I am open to all lol

 

[java girl 2]

the bb tom turkeys will eat 136 to 150 lbs of feed

and the Heritage tom turkeys will eat 30 to 50 lbs.

I love my bourbon red turkeys

they eat very little feed and free range so well!!

 

[kfacres]

The BBW bird, is IMO the only way to go for a family cooked meal.. Meat to bone ratio, unmatched...