Want to get turkey questions need to be answered

[Mattsiewrt94]

Hello I have 9 chickens that free range outside and I'm looking to get something else so why not a turkey? I just wanted to know if turkey's can free range like if I keep them in a coop for 2 weeks and they stay around the yard there whole life and also I'm looking to just get a hen maybe a male to but what's the best looking one out there that doesn't get THAT ugly lol with the red stuff on the face is there any breed with barley none at all?

 

[PinkFlamingoFrm]

I have never free ranged my turkeys, so I dont know if you can do it with them. But I did "accidently" get turkeys when the guy that I was getting my chicks had them. I fell in love with them. They are so much more docile than the chickens. They will let you walk right over to them and pet them and my niece & nephew like getting the turkey call out and getting them to fluff their feathers. Up until they grew to full size they would jump off their roost right onto my shoulder. I have royal palms, they are really pretty.

 

[kuntrygirl]

My turkeys free range with no problems. I think it depends on where the person lives and if they have predators. If there are predators, I would not recommend free ranging and would definitely suggest locking up in a coop that has durable wire where nothing can dig under to get in and kill them.

 

[Mattsiewrt94]

Oh okay thank you i wanted to get chicks but idk where to get them

 

[PinkFlamingoFrm]

Id check craigslist first. Thats where I find alot of my birds. If you cant find any on there, hatcheries will have them or incubate some eggs.

 

[ivan3]

Hello I have 9 chickens that free range outside and I'm looking to get something else so why not a turkey? I just wanted to know if turkey's can free range like if I keep them in a coop for 2 weeks and they stay around the yard there whole life and also I'm looking to just get a hen maybe a male to but what's the best looking one out there that doesn't get THAT ugly lol with the red stuff on the face is there any breed with barley none at all?

I'd recommend taking a look through the varieties on Porter's site (`ugly' is an aspect this observer is incompetent to comment on, or suggest, to anyone but his self):

http://www.porterturkeys.com/

If you plan on free ranging - you really need to get day old poults and they need to thoroughly imprint on you and your location (should keep them penned up for a couple of months once they've transitioned from brooder). However, even if pretty well `fixed' to place/person if there are neighbors within visible distance/a road within easy walking distance - they can and do like to check things out (are curious and will wander). `Adopting' adult turkeys for free range? I'd spend the money on more chickens, instead.

A good general reference on `pastured' turkeys: http://www.albc-usa.org/downloads.html

 

[GotCoop]

Hello I have 9 chickens that free range outside and I'm looking to get something else so why not a turkey? I just wanted to know if turkey's can free range like if I keep them in a coop for 2 weeks and they stay around the yard there whole life and also I'm looking to just get a hen maybe a male to but what's the best looking one out there that doesn't get THAT ugly lol with the red stuff on the face is there any breed with barley none at all?

 

[GotCoop]

Just completed my first year with turkeys. Unlike my chickens they wont return to their enclosure after free ranging on their own. They will find some place else to roost. Either up around our house or along a fence line where they are easy pray for coyotes (I lost two hens). However, they will readilly follow me into their enclosure before dusk (in fact they will follow me just about anywhere). Toms have a "grotesque beauty" that grows on you. I have found them to be very friendly, and enjoy being touched.