White vs White vs White

[biomistake]

So, I am wanting to do a white turkey breed in addition to my current birds. I was wanting a smaller turkey but was not sure of the amount of feed they would consume "MW or BW" vs the WH. Since they take the same app. amount of time to processing "assumption" of course choosing out breeders vs culls in that respect. I have 30 acres for them to roam so space is not an issue. I was wondering if it was like a full size beef breed vs say a smaller beef breed where the smaller one is actually more cost efficient due to feed conversion to weight gained if that makes sense. I was thinking the smaller version as they would accommodate smaller amounts of freezer space and for smaller families considering the cost of a fresh carcass. Thanks for your input and I am sure I will get some questions to clarify what my confuzzled bamboozled brain is attempting to cogitate about.

 

[jenjscott]

I don't know about feed efficiency outside of the commercial whites, which compare to the cornish x in chickens. They eat a lot, but the conversion is good. I have had Royal Palms and Bourbon Reds, but am thinking about changing to a smaller bird simply for carcass size, I want a smaller bird. I am into working with the rare heritage breeds, so will probably go with the Beltsville small whites to fit in with my Buckeyes and Barred Hollands.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

We raise the three varieties of white feathered heritage turkeys. Between the Midget and Beltsville there isn't really any difference in feed consumption, the Hollands do eat more just because of the larger size but it's not that much of a difference. If you are planning to free range them there wouldn't be much difference in feed at all as they would all forage. The big things we have seen about the 3 is.

The Beltsville's are the best layers - they outlay the other 2 combined

The Midget's have the best taste

The Hollands are the most likely to stay in a fenced area - they are heavier so it's harder for them to fence jump. They are also calmest of the 3

Steve

 

[biomistake]

Alright, thanks steve I appreciate the answers and it happens to coincide with what myself and inlaws decided on. The midget whites... now to find a source of poults... I was thinking sand hills since you dont ship them but if anyone happens to know anyone close to arkansas that has some for sale this spring I am open to checking out your birds.

 

[jenjscott]

Ok, lets see if we can work this out. Steve, do you live anywhere near winston-salem? Japanese bantam national is there this year (end of March) and if I were to go, perhaps i could pick up some turkeys. Maybe get some for me and bio. But I want the beltsvilles. Would you have some then?

 

[biomistake]

Jen if that works out you just became my heroine

and steve my hero!!!!!!!!!

 

[Lotsapaints]

I vote for the MW excellent table fare I ate way too much it was so good. I don't have any other white turkeys but mine are friendly and they can fly not as good as the Bourbons and they stay closer to home....

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

We are about 3 1/2 hours east of Winston Salem, so says map quest. NC is one of those states that North to South you fly right thru but East to West takes forever. We will have poults by that time.

Steve

 

[jenjscott]

Goodness Steve, you must be about to the coast. It's 14 hours from here to Winston-Salem, It'd be a shame to get so close.... have to see what the schedule looks like I guess, to see if I can fit in the extra 7 hours of driving time! The week before that, I'm supposed to go to Albuquerque to a tattoo convention, that's about a 17 hour drive. I should grow my own wings!

 

[biomistake]

Hey Jen if this works out I might as well get some buckeyes from you since I would be picking up poults

) at your place. The eggs i was mailed from someone else last year flopped and the 6 that hatched were terribad horrible.