Turkey Questions

[susandonb]

Hello,
I have 8 chickens that I keep enclosed all of the time though I am hoping to let them free range a little come Fall. Anyway, I would like to raise three turkeys next Spring ( I believe in a lot of advance research) and have read that you should not have chickens and turkeys on same property? The turkeys would be only for food, not pets or breeding. So, can I do this? How long to get a turkey from day old to table? And what other things might I need to know before venturing into this?

Thank you,
Susan in Massachusetts.

 

[brahmabreeder]

Just don't let the turkeys come in contact with the chickens. Chickens can give turkeys black head.

 

[susandonb]

So when you say, "come in contact" nose to nose, 10 ft, 50 ft, 10 yards,????

 

[brahmabreeder]

Not sure on the specifics but I have free ranged mine together before with out problems. Although I would not recommend that. I think that thirty feet should be safe.

 

[cupman]

I free range chickens, turkeys and guineas together just fine. You *can* get blackhead but it doesn't mean you will. One of my friends has raised the birds together for years with no problems. You can have your soil tested but I imagine that's expensive and not necessary if you are just getting a few.

If you are only getting three turkeys I say go for it. If they start to get blackhead then you can put them down.

Also it might be a good idea to not bring in new chickens all the time. If you are the type to buy a couple chickens off craigslist every few months that will increase your chances of introducing blackhead to your property.

 

[Frosty]

You can't have the soil tested for blackhead (histomoniasis). It's a protozoa and doesn't live in the soil itself. It can, however, be carried by earth worms. It also lives in the cecal worm, so if it's a problem in your area a regular worming schedule will help.

Contact your local ag folks, and/or see if anyone in your area raises them together. This will help you to find if it's a problem where you are. If it is, the recommendation is to not raise them on the same property. Earth worms can travel, as can other soil critters that can be part of the life cycle.

Meanwhile, if you do a site search on chickens and turkeys, use the turkey forum as an advanced search, you will find lots of information.

How long from poult to table depends on the variety. Broad Breasted is 5 or 6 months (or younger if you want a smaller bird), heritage take longer to size up.