Will domestic breeds raise their own young?

[turkeyboy1]

Has anyone had experience with domestic breeds and allowing them to raise their poults rather than transferring them to a brooder?

Which breeds do the best?

Which do the worst?

Thanks

 

[JacinLarkwell]

My royal palm hen raised the clutch she hatched

 

[R2elk]

Has anyone had experience with domestic breeds and allowing them to raise their poults rather than transferring them to a brooder?

Which breeds do the best?

Which do the worst?

Thanks

The different varieties of the breed Turkey other than the Broad Breasted varieties are capable of rearing their poults.

Any of the heritage varieties are capable.

The Broad Breasted varieties do the worst because they are not capable of making the delicate foot movements that the heritage varieties make.

The big problem isn't that they are capable but that their success too often depends on their surroundings. If allowed to hatch and brood in the general population, too many things can go wrong. If allowed to brood and raise their poults in a protected environment away from the general population, they can be very successful.

You can learn a lot about the heritage varieties at Porter's Rare Heritage Turkeys.