Turkeys On Heat At Five Weeks

[jenson2003]

quik question, can i have turkeys outside at five weeks as i have a very adoptive broody and i want turkey in time for xmas my chckens were ok outside at 5 weeks so i was wondering if i could have a 5 week old as thats what theyre selling at my local farm

also can you sex them at five weeks as i dont want a huge carcass or very loud

 

[Barrios]

They should be ok outside in a pen as long as the night time temperature doesn't fall to drastically at night. They don't fair well in the rain so make sure you have a roost with cover to sleep, relax in . Could always put a heat lamp in the pen at night just to be safe. I live in Florida so I put birds out as early as 2 weeks with a lamp at night. Sexing them is difficult at young age and depending on breed can be more difficult to tell. Just a tip until its an adult or at least 6 months old don't have it around the chickens free ranging, it can get sick from the chickens.

 

[jenson2003]

thanks barrios i live in the uk and its real hot so im gonna try to buy a pair also if you could tell me how to actually butcher them as everyone on this site is so clever!!!!

 

[jenson2003]

aswell can you have just grass fed turkeys or does that affect their growth

 

[Barrios]

Butchering them is quite simple if you have done a chicken its the same process just a little bigger. Boil some water defeater it cut away lol.you will need to feed it other than grass. A good flock grower.

 

[aart]

aswell can you have just grass fed turkeys or does that affect their growth

They a need a balanced feed if you want them to grow properly and stay healthy long enough to get to butcher size.
Browse and search the Turkey forum for more raising poults advice.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/20/turkeys

Browse and search the meat birds forum for more feeding and butchering advice.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/21/meat-birds-etc