Turkey Questions.

[Vermont Poultry]

I may or may not be doing turkeys this year. But I wanted to ask, what are some things I should prepare for to raise turkeys, I raise broiler chicken, laying hens, and guinea fowl. But have actually never seen a live domesticated turkey (I've seen hundreds of wild ones though), so I'm not sure what to expect. My feed store offers Bronze Breast Turkeys, and Broad Breasted Whites, they are both broiler type turkeys for meat, but will they lay eggs at a certain age, or die before egg laying age just like Cornish Cross Hens? And what type of housing do they need? What are some major differences between Turkeys and Chickens.

Thanks.

 

[R2elk]

I may or may not be doing turkeys this year. But I wanted to ask, what are some things I should prepare for to raise turkeys, I raise broiler chicken, laying hens, and guinea fowl. But have actually never seen a live domesticated turkey (I've seen hundreds of wild ones though), so I'm not sure what to expect. My feed store offers Bronze Breast Turkeys, and Broad Breasted Whites, they are both broiler type turkeys for meat, but will they lay eggs at a certain age, or die before egg laying age just like Cornish Cross Hens? And what type of housing do they need? What are some major differences between Turkeys and Chickens.

Thanks.

Read the Turkeys 101 thread.

BB turkeys just like heritage turkeys will normally lay eggs the spring following the year they were hatched.

 

[Gorman Farm]

Broad breasted are not meant to be long lived and typically have to be inseminated. I think taking care of turkeys is similar to taking care of chickens. They need separate quarters, and a foraging area.Choose a natural breeding turkey any of the heritage breeds.