Starting out with Turkeys

[Stevens21]

Hi, I am going to be going to a trade show tomorrow. We are thinking of getting a trio, I was wondering about how much they run?

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

II think it really depends on what breed of turkey you are talking about. I purchased my BBW from a local feed store for something like $6.90 a bird. I've seen other breeds from hatcheries for around $6 - $10, but then you have to pay for shipping. Some I've seen as high as $25. I'd go on line and get an idea of what hatcheries are charging for a ball park.

From my perspective, the advantage of getting them at a trade show would be that they aren't subjected to the hardships of travel and will probably arrive in better condition. You'd also save on postage. However, I don't know if you get the same guarantees.

 

[Celie]

The only guarantee you will get from a hatchery is that if they are dead or dying on delivery, they will return the price of the dead bird, not including shipping or handling costs. If you buy BB hybrid day old straight run poults from a feed store, they my have a min. # you have to buy and will not cost much more than the nursery they buy them from, because they are buying at wholesale prices, but you do not have to buy the min. of 15 the hatcheries require or pay add'l shipping. From individuals around here, only heritage poults, that can reproduce naturally and not need artificial insemination are sold as day old straight run around $10 to $12 for pure bred and $5 to $7 for cross breeds. It is rather hard to sex turkeys, until around 3 months and at that age, you will probably be looking at $30 to $40 each, depending on breed. Prices may very in different parts of the country, but you should get a general Idea of the going price by looking in your local craigslist or farm bulletin. A few feed stores may handle heritage breeds, but most only sell crosses or BB breeds.