Grumpy neighbors will complain that mice are too loud.
Turkeys aren't loud - especially ones that are being butched. Once the males start to gobble then they are ready to be dressed out. So when they become too loud they go to the freezer.
Still, my turkeys are quieter than my chickens. The toms will gobble, but it's not a loud, high-pitched noise that carries far; sometimes it seems as if the ladies are louder than the boys. If you have sensitive neighbors, yeah, they'll get upset. But odds are (especially if they have kids) they will get a kick out of hearing the turkeys.
If you have never raised turkeys before and you are wanting one strictly for meat then try a Broad Breasted variety at first. They grow a lot faster and even the hens are massive. That way you can dress them out at a younger age if you find that they are too loud, large, or obnoxious. Plus they are cheaper and easier to get. It will make any mistakes that much easier to cope with.
When you become smitten with turkeys (you will) you can raise some heritage ones the year after.
Either way; get turkeys. They are well worth the hassle. Chickens may be cheaper and take up less space, but when you want to eat turkey, you don't go to the store and buy chicken. You spend the extra money for a turkey. It's the same deal with what you raise for meat.
Turkeys aren't loud - especially ones that are being butched. Once the males start to gobble then they are ready to be dressed out. So when they become too loud they go to the freezer.
Still, my turkeys are quieter than my chickens. The toms will gobble, but it's not a loud, high-pitched noise that carries far; sometimes it seems as if the ladies are louder than the boys. If you have sensitive neighbors, yeah, they'll get upset. But odds are (especially if they have kids) they will get a kick out of hearing the turkeys.
If you have never raised turkeys before and you are wanting one strictly for meat then try a Broad Breasted variety at first. They grow a lot faster and even the hens are massive. That way you can dress them out at a younger age if you find that they are too loud, large, or obnoxious. Plus they are cheaper and easier to get. It will make any mistakes that much easier to cope with.
When you become smitten with turkeys (you will) you can raise some heritage ones the year after.
Either way; get turkeys. They are well worth the hassle. Chickens may be cheaper and take up less space, but when you want to eat turkey, you don't go to the store and buy chicken. You spend the extra money for a turkey. It's the same deal with what you raise for meat.
