Turkeys.... advice please!

[wjallen05]

I am thinking about having a few turkeys to raise for meat. What breeds are the best? I want something that maybe eats less than other breeds (if there is a such a thing), and can reproduce naturally. I am also unsure where to find any. Would the best thing be to buy hatching eggs?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Struttn1]

Bourbon Reds or White Hollands would probably be the choice. I would not recommend buying shipped eggs but that is due to bad luck I have had in hatch success with shipped eggs. If you do decide to go with shipped eggs then I would recommend Steve.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

How big of a turkey are you looking for?

Midget White and Beltsville Small White are the smallest - toms about 20 pounds

Bourbon Reds are mid sized, toms around 30 pounds

White Hollands, Standard Bronze toms 30+

For an eating turkey, taste wise I would club Struttin1 over the head with a turkey drumstick to get to a Midget White.

. They are the best tasting by far followed by the Bourbon Red. We raise 6 types of turkeys and if you want to see pics they are on our website.

Steve in NC

 

[wjallen05]

Thanks!

Checked out your website, Steve.

I think I'd be interested in Bourbon Reds. Do they reproduce naturally? Also, I feel sort of stupid asking this- but, can they fly?

 

[Struttn1]

Yes the Bourbons do reproduce and yes they can fly. Youngsters are very flighty and not so much as they get older.

 

[pdpatch]

Some people have had good luck sending hatching eggs in the mail. But most do not, not because they aren't always packed well, but most eggs do not ship well in the mail mostly because of handleing while in the mail.

Well yes Most red Bourons reproduce. Our Tom ended up being infertil, and a fixation for cheap gray tenis shoes. He did taste rather well though.

Tom

 

[MissPrissy]

My bronze turkey eggs seem to be shipping well. I am getting reports of good hatches. I am also hatching today poults and keets.

My bronze hens can fly. The toms cannot.