What is a good number of turkeys to start with?

[BirdBrain]

We are planning to build a 12 x 24 coop in the spring. Half of it I plan to use with laying hens. I had planned to split the remainder between geese and broilers. I figured the broilers would be gone in 7-8 weeks and the turkeys could have their spot (about 6x10). Can I mix the broilers and the turkeys but don't know if that is a good idea. I had thought to get 25 broilers.

Someone said recently that turkey poults spend their free time figuring out ways to die. If that is true how do you keep them alive and how many should I get so that I have something left to put on the table for thanksgiving?

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Someone said recently that turkey poults spend their free time figuring out ways to die.

Who ever said that has no clue on how to raise them.

Steve in NC​

 

[fgdiii]

If you get 2 hens and a tom at least 6 mo old, you will have all the turkeys you want next thanksgiving.

 

[ArizonaNessa]

Turkeys are a little different to raise than chickens so sometimes people do have issues with getting them past 6 weeks or so. I know when I say this that I could be potentially setting myself up for debate and I am not going to debate my opinion but here goes...Raise the turkeys separate from other birds. In my opinion you get a better outcome and healthier turkeys. Turkeys can catch things quite easy when they are tiny. If you raise them separately then you lessen that risk. My best advice is to start out with no more than 20 and see how you go with it. (That is if you are willing to end up with that many) For my first time I don't think I would order in 100 or anything. Read as much as you can and give it your best shot. It's not that hard to raise turkeys...it's just a bit different than chickens. Quite a few people that raise quail, pheasants, guineas and such will tell you it's not good to raise different chicks together. Yes I know plenty of people do it and it works out fine but in my opinion it's not the greatest choice.

 

[TarzantheChickenMan]

in three years raising turkeys ive only lost one poult that was due to pileing when a bulb burnt out while i was at work and the were too cold
i even once started 10 poults with my 25 CX and didnt have an issue same feed and what not

 

[BirdBrain]

Why do people think that raising turkeys is so hard? Wish there were books on raising just turkeys.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Quote:
It's not hard at all once you have a system down. There is book and in my opinion the best one ever written on raising turkeys. It's online here



http://chla.library.cornell.edu/cgi...te1restrict=book author;view=toc;idno=3317008

And if you want a hard copy there are still some around here and there.

Steve in NC

 

[BirdBrain]

Thanks Steve!! That was just what I was looking for. That book link should be listed as a Sticky.