When can I take polts out of a brooder, and into the yard....

[jason_mazzy]

Howdy. I want to free range my Turkeys as soon as possible. I have 2 acres fenced off for the zebus and goats. I have just started letting the chickens explore the acres, and then I toss scratch in at dusk and they all come running back into the large run. I raise my chicks and now polts inside in large tubs, and would like to raise them the minimum amount of weeks inside so they can join the rest of the flock and herd ASAP. So since I do chikens I know when to do that, but it just dawned on me I am far less prepared for turkeys than I thought. I have no idea when a turkey is considered feathered out, and can regulate his/her own temperature. I would enjoy your advice. Thank you.

 

[Dogfish]

#1. Set aside your wants and take the needs of the birds into account. Just because you want them out there doesn't mean they will be ready when you want them to be.

I have no idea of where you area at, but a cold wet poult is a dead poult. You could be in Florida, or you could be in Washington State with me. The timing would vary greatly between the two states as to when the birds can go outside.

At a minimum they should probably be at least 5 weeks old before they head out, as they will be somewhat feathered out. Many folks will say 2 months or more. A movable tractor pen will provide a lot of shelter, providing at least 50% is covered on top and sides. A separate segregation pen built within the run help integrate birds into the flock and harden them to the weather they will encounter outside of the brooder. Start out with light, then take away light, etc.

Number of birds, climate, etc, will get you a better answer based on what to expect. Hope this is helpful.

 

[jason_mazzy]

Obviously my WANTS were taken out of the post, or else I would not have asked. If I was following my wants I would have just thrown them outside ASAP. I asked the minimum time necessary which indicates NEEDS of the animal. I am trying to establish a basic guideline so I can make an educated decision at that time. I obviously want to protect my investment as polts are expensive. I have a farm so animal husbandry is my thing. It wouldn't make sense for me to go killing off all my chickens and cows and goats by not taking proper care of them. I am however new to turkeys, and have asked an approrpriate question. Please answer the questions without getting on the soapbox first, I found it "smart" and not constructive to my inquiry. We are averaging 75-80 degrees during the day here right now. I am assuming a good guideline of time is 6 weeks? I know that mychickens are usually ready sometime around that. But turkeys may take longer to feather out completely.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Much depends on the outside temperature and rainfall. Just now here in Florida it's hot and quite dry (too dry!) so I could get away with letting very young poults out during the day. But usually I don't like to put them on the ground in a grow-out pen before six weeks. If it's at all cool or wet then closer to eight weeks. Until they are fully feathered (you'll know that when you see it) a wet poult is soon a dead poult.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

delete

 

[jason_mazzy]

I was venting because I did not recieve really an answer to the 2 main questions I asked:


When can I take polts out of a brooder, and into the yard...

I have no idea when a turkey is considered feathered out,
and can regulate his/her own temperature.

I would enjoy your advice. Thank you.

and the reply post started off with: #1. Set aside your wants and take the needs of the birds into account.

that was neither answering my question or being constructive. in fact it was destructive because it made me appear like my wants triumphed the needs of my birds. And if that was true I would not have asked what their needs were. I expressed my "want" so as to context the question. I expressed "their" needs by asking the question and framing my context.

 

[jason_mazzy]

AT hagan, your answer is far more informative. It appears 6 weeks is about the minimum time it takes for a turkey to have a chance outside. Is that a correct statement?


also after 8 weeks are they considered a juvenile bird or still a polt.

 

[Dogfish]

I wasn't trying to get into an arguement with you and my intentions were good.

I thought I gave some pretty good timelines and discussed factors that would affect your ability to get them out into the big world, plus gave you a few suggestions that would allow you to get them out sooner.

Didn't meant to pee in your wheaties. I guess I need to include more smilies in my posts.

 

[jimmythechicken]

Quote:
i love smiles i thought your post was fine you gave alot of info an timelines nice work.

 

[jasonm11]

What ever do the poults hatched in the wild do? Where do they stay until fully feathered out?