Rasing Turkeys for next Thanksgiving?

[Kaitie09]

We are just about finished with out first Cornish flock and are already thinking about next year. We are really considering raising 2 turkeys for next Thanksgiving. I know they have to grow much longer than the chickens, but I do have a question

We have a 4x6 shed, with an attached 10x10 kennel. Will this be enough room for 2? We want to keep them away from our other chickens, and we already got the kennel for the Cornish X. They will not be able to free-range because our dogs would snatch them up.

The shed is 6ft high, so how high would I place the roosts?

Also, what would be the best breed to raise? We are looking for about 20-25 lbs for the thanksgiving day one, and the other one can be any weight really (for making dinners)

 

[ColbyNTX]

Yes, that is big enough for 2 turkeys. Get a 3-4 heritage poults in the spring, March or April. Don't just get 2 because if you loose 1-2 then you will be in trouble. Do not get the broad breasted type from a feed store or TSC. They won't fit in your oven at 8-9 months old! Any of the heritage turkeys will be fine. The royal palms do have a "Y" shapped shallow breast but are very tasty but if your family is a big breast eater then go with any other type.

 

[Arielle]

Our BBW finished off at 36 pounds for the toms at 5 months. You can put them in the freezer if you wish, to hold until the Holidays. Your choice.

We roasaed one and found the flavor and texture to be far better than the soft mushy flesh of the commercial BBW.