Turkey questions

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

I have a question. We have 2 slates, borne in Sept 08. The female has been laying eggs for about 2 months now...great eggs BTW...
Question is, she is chasing the tom around trying to get him to mate her...

who knows how old he needs to be (ish) to do his thing??

He should be right in the perfect age about now. We like ours about 9-10 months old when breeding starts, but they start at 8 months or so.​

 

[pdpatch]

Q; I want to keep some as meat and raise some for eggs, the hatchery say they won't reproduce.
A: Of course they reproduce, naturally can be some what of a hit or miss proposition. With it being a miss most of the time.
If you don't mind artificially inseminating them you will have much better luck with the great white and BB bronze.

"BUT" once you eat a heritage breed turkey, you may not want to raise Great Whites and BB Bronze again.

Q: Which one should I get that I can use as meat and have a couple of hens and tom to raise eggs tor reproduce more.
A: Depends on the size of the turkey you want. A group of four adults may eat 5 to 6 lbs of turkey at one sitting.
So a 12 to 15 lb finished turkey may be all they want.

See Steve's Post about size vs breeds.

Q:If I have to get two types that's okay, they will have their own coop and run.
Yes it's ok to have separate breeds in the same coop and pen. But when it comes to reproducing you will
most likely get a mutt type of turkey. So keep your breeders separate if you want them to breed true.

Q: How long do I raise them before they can be processed?
A: Great Whites and BB bronze usually around 18 to 20 weeks
Heritage around 30 Plus weeks to 1 year old.

Q: When do turkeys start laying?
A: Depends on the turkey breed. Any where from about 9 months to a year.