When is?

[ruralmom]

Just got our first turkeys and the sellers were saying they ( Bronze pair) were 1.5 yrs old. They are huge. George, looks like he can hardly walk just waddles and Gracey, looks somewhat better, have seen her move but at a jog only. they have got the biggest breasts I have ever seen. question will they get too big for their frame to carry their weight? Will I eventually have to put them down due to their sheer size, what about dietary restrictions? exersize? to keep their weight in check.

 

[chicmom]

I just bought my first two turkeys this year, and they're just shy of 5 months old, so I don't have the experience to answer this question for you, but I will be watching!

I've got a Royal Palm tom and a Blue Slate hen. (I was lucky, because I didn't know their sex.) I'm hoping to keep them as pets. Mine free range half of the day, so they do get exercise, and so far they're not really super huge, but they are young yet.

We love to see turkey pics, by the way....HINT HINT!

 

[ruralmom]

Oh shoot! 45 BYCers have looked at this post and no one has an idea? that will be a first since I know someone out there has an idea what to do with this two ton tom.

 

[jasonm11]

if they are as big as you say and already having trouble walking it is only a matter of time before they need to go to freezer camp. You can restrict their feed but they are genetically predisposed to eat you out of house and home

. Seriously if you have other birds it makes it hard to limit their feed intake. You need to check out websites to find the heritage turkeys you like and order a few. A heritage breed can live 10yrs or more and you do not have to worry about limiting intake and such.

 

[jbourget]

YES turkeys get too big for thier frame, the meat markets strains....big breasted breeds will just lay around getting fat. eat them for thanksgiving and christmas or donate them to someone who will enjoy the meat