Which breed do I choose?

[flockman]

I want to have a heritage breed turkey. While I love the different colors I think I will go with white. I have read for quite a bit of time about the White Holland and Midget White.

I have read contradictory information about the Midget whites. I have read that at 20 weeks they are 13 pounds for tom and 8 for a hen. I have also read that they take much longer than this to reach this weight. I like the idea of the a small turkey that grows rather quickly. That way I don't have to feed a couple of big turkeys all winter. Do they reach this size in 4-6 months or is it much longer? Many places describe them as a miniature BBW. Fair description?

How much feed does a trio of White Hollands eat a day during winter? How big are they at 6 months?


I got a couple of BBW turkey poults. One died early but the other is doing well and growing. I have had chickens for several years and then a few years ago added ducks and geese. Now I would like to add turkeys to the "farm" to add more home bred and raised food for the family. The addition of turkeys will diversify our meat options.

Any answers would be great thank you!

 

[neverbdone]

White Hollands are fully mature at about 7-8 months. Hens dress out around 10 lbs and Toms about 20. Half the size of bbw's. They are calm and good flyers. Mine go to their pen when it gets dark. They mate and hatch well on their own. Except one of my momma hens loves stealing others eggs to set. They get along with the chickens and the dogs when free ranging. They don't eat much through winter especially if you are only keeping 3. Hope I answered some of your questions.

 

[flockman]

I don't know how much an adult turkey eats as I have not even raised one other than the BBW I have right now at 7 weeks. I think I will go with White Holland. I have read that they are very calm. I have children ages 8, 9 1/2 and 11. Only the youngest is not able to deal with our geese, just because their bluffing scares her. I don't want aggressive animals here.

 

[Arielle]

BIg birds eat a lot ,especially in the winter; and they are still growing for 2 years; though growth rate slows after about 7-9 months. I like the higher % of meat on the older birds.

You would need to talk to a breeder of his /her stock to know more information on each type of bird THE lines vary in performance. Most lines need improvement as they have been just hanging on for decades and are in need of more people willing to breed them as they were intended.

SO I would recommend jumping in , and learning, and as you find other bloodline that interest you. get a more and work to improve you r breed of choice. If youc an do it, go for both the white holland and the MW -- you might like both.

 

[flockman]

Okay thanks!