I'd love to know more about raising turkeys! Lots of questions!

[StinkyAcres]

I've never raised turkeys before and I wonder what they're like. If I get some I would be raising them for pets and meat.

My questions are:

• Can they be raised with chickens and sheep and do they get along in a confined space?
• How much space do they need?
• How/where do you keep them during the winter? (coldest it gets here is -20*F)
• Do you have to have both sexes for them to be happy?
• Are they louder than chicken hens?
• Are they likely to hang out and breed with wild turkeys? (we have a lot of wild turkeys!)
• Can turkey hens be raised for meat?

If you have any other tips I'd really appreciate it! Obviously I have no experience with domestic turkeys whatsoever!

 

[R2elk]

Can they be raised with chickens and sheep and do they get along in a confined space?

If blackhead is not an issue where you live, turkeys can be raised with chickens. If blackhead is an issue, raising turkeys with chickens can be deadly to the turkeys. There are other reasons why raising turkeys with chickens can be harmful to the chickens.

Turkeys need much more space than chickens do. Raising them in a small confined space is not conducive to good results. You can raise broad breasted turkeys in a smaller area than heritage turkeys need but I still would not raise them in a small confined space.

How much space do they need?

If you make a coop for them, they need a minimum of 10 sq. ft. of clear floor space for each adult bird plus an even bigger area for the run.

How/where do you keep them during the winter? (coldest it gets here is -20*F)

Mine roost outside all year long in all kinds of weather. They need shade available that they can freely use when they want to. It can and does get down to -40°F in the winter here.

Their roosting area is sheltered from the prevailing SW wind here.

Do you have to have both sexes for them to be happy?

Raising hens only can work well if you only want them for pets. They do need companionship from other turkeys. I would not raise a single turkey by itself. They imprint very easily which can prevent them from understanding that whatever they are imprinted by is not a turkey.

If you want them for meat, heritage hens do not provide a lot of meat. Broad breasted hens can provide a nice carcass time in a short time period..

Are they louder than chicken hens?

Both hens and toms can be louder than chicken hens.

Are they likely to hang out and breed with wild turkeys? (we have a lot of wild turkeys!)

Domestic turkeys can and do breed with wild turkeys. Depending on where you live this may be a legal concern. Here the law is written in a fashion that it is illegal to have wild turkeys. It also states that hybrids between domestic and wild turkeys belong to the State. Every state has their own regulations. Become familiar with your state's regulations.

Can turkey hens be raised for meat?

Yes but if you are raising them for meat, you will probably want to raise broad breasted hens.

One thing to remember is that if you are raising hens only, you will want to purchase new poults every year since their eggs will not be fertile.

If you are raising heritage turkeys, one tom for 4 to 5 hens will be enough. If you are raising broad breasted, you are better off to source your poults from a hatchery every year.

 

[Molpet]

I have same experience as r2elk has had.
Only thing I would add is broad breasted turkeys are very personable but have too many health issues to keep as pets. They are meant to be harvested at 16 to 20 weeks and have leg and heart problems from their weight.
If you don't have enough Heritage turkeys, they might take off with wild ones . I don't have many around. I have had a lone wild hen show up looking for luv and my hens run her off.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Thanks so much to both of you! @R2elk I really appreciate the detailed response! I'm so glad I asked. Looks like turkeys are not for me and my area. We apparently do have blackhead here. I will just enjoy watching our wild turkey families. Thanks again!