Why Are Adult Turkeys So Expensive???

[Pinkbow1]

I was shocked today when I saw people on Craigslist selling their adult turkeys from costs ranging from $30-$80! I thought this was an outstanding price since you can buy poults from $3-$5. One person was selling their turkey trio for $120. The breeds aren't THAT rare... Mostly narragansett's and reds. I'm selling my half grown turkeys for $10 a piece, is that too cheap? I want them to go to a good home.

 

[LallyBrochFarm]

If they were raised on organic pasture, in Maine, a heritage adult goes for between $60-$100 for eating purposes.

I ordered 6 poults from a local organic hatchery and spent $7 each for heritage Bourbon Reds, planning on breeding them for future years. In the course of talking with people about my plans and the estimated cost of $60-$100 for a full grown turkey, I sold 20 turkeys. Before I even had them from the hatchery!

On the other hand, you can get a genetically altered "butterball" for about .59¢/pound. I guess it all depends on where you are, what you have raised your turkeys on for feed, and whether they are pets or food.

Sonja Twombly of
http://lallybrochfarms.blogspot.com/

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Day old poults from the hatcheries run $9-$10 each. You can sometimes find them cheaper on Craiglist, but about $9.00 is the usual going price.

Considering that a turkey hen will only lay half or less what a decent dual-purpose chicken hen will lay, but she'll eat more of more expensive feed it's no wonder that turkey hatching eggs run from $2.50 to $4.00 an egg.

Then the poults have to be fed. Feed prices range widely by region and brand. In my area the cheaper gamebird starter (Flint River Mills/FRM) runs about $18.45 a 50lb bag lately.

These things begin to add up.

I am nearly sold out of my spring hatch for this year. My remaining birds are now $15 each at ten weeks old and that is cheap. Next year if feed prices remain as they are (unlikely) birds that age will be at least $18.

FWIW I won't sell a breeding age tom for less than fifty dollars.

If you're not making back your feed costs, the costs of your supplies such as power for the brooders, bedding, etc plus a little profit to you for your time and trouble then how long are you likely to continue bothering to produce birds?

 

[Oregon Blues]

Wow. Where are you buying turkey poults for $3?

I can sell a full grown duck at 8 weeks of age. As opposed to 6 months for a "adult' turkey. That's a lot of difference in feed costs.

I wouldn't be selling half grown turkeys for $10. Have you added up what they have cost you so far?

 

[flewdacoop]

we had two mature turkeys sale for 130 dollars last week at the sale barn. but most of the time they go for 30-50 dollars each

 

[ButchGood]

I saw the same thing on Craig's list. I was also shocked. So I bought 4 day olds for $7.50 a piece and raised them up. They are 11 weeks old now and I can fully understand why the cost of an adult turkey is that high. I would say $50.00 for an adult tom is a bargain. These guys EAT! Those 4 turkeys will empty a feeder in a day...and they free range. Of course I'm raising some BBB for the holidays and they are the pigs of the turkey world. I did find out I really like raising turkeys, probably a little more than my chickens(don't tell them). I'm going to raise a breeding trio. I'll get a full order of Bourbon reds, Keep the best tom and 2 hens and sell the rest on Craig's list at about 10 or 11 weeks old for about 20 bucks a piece.

 

[Pinkbow1]

I live in Idaho, a woman I know breeds all kinds of turkeys and other poultry. She'll charge you $3 for a poult, and if they die she'll replace them for free! It's great. $10 seemed really cheap around here. I bought them for $25, which is still cheap compared to what most people are charging here. They aren't free-range because of foxes and skunks around here, so yes we do pay for their feed.

 

[Pinkbow1]

If they don't sell soon, I'll probley raise my price as they grow. They're healthy narragansetts.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I don't sell any babies for less than $12.00. Prices range from $12.00 - $50.00. It costs to feed them.

 

[RingedTeal]

Full grown Royal Palm pairs were goin $11-$12 the other month.