Turkeys 101?

[GirlsHuntToo]

My family has decided to start raising turkeys. I'm picking 2 up from Tractor Supply this afternoon. Could you give me some pointers and 101?

 

[R2elk]

My family has decided to start raising turkeys. I'm picking 2 up from Tractor Supply this afternoon. Could you give me some pointers and 101?

Are you raising them for food or other?

 

[BoundlessLove]

Are these the only two you have/are getting? If so, I’d get three.
In case of a loss, you wouldn’t be left with only one.

 

[GirlsHuntToo]

Are you raising them for food or other?

For food.

 

[GirlsHuntToo]

Are these the only two you have/are getting? If so, I’d get three.
In case of a loss, you wouldn’t be left with only one.

Thank you. I only got the two but my tractor supply seems to always have turkeys everytime I call or go and I live 10 minutes away. They seem very healthy and lively so far.

 

[R2elk]

For food.

Did you get them a high protein turkey or game bird feed?

 

[R2elk]

Don't play with them. It will make it very easy to become attached and very difficult when it's time to process them.

 

[BoundlessLove]

R2Elk is right.
I have only raised the BB white turkeys once, but they will get very attached to people.
Even follow you around until you feed them.
And they eat A TON of food.
They will not free range if you let them out of their coop.

 

[R2elk]

They will not free range if you let them out of their coop.

I had no problem with getting BBWs to free range when I was raising them. Number one, I did not human imprint them.

Mine had access to feed and water at all times. Fortunately they are not like the Cornish Cross who will fall asleep with their heads in the feeder.

Mine acted like heritage turkeys with the only real difference being their growth rate.

 

[GirlsHuntToo]

Did you get them a high protein turkey or game bird feed?

Right now I have them on chick starter that's 30% protein I think, the Purina brand from TSC. Do they have to have special food like ducks when they are babies? Or maybe all flock?