What's the youngest can Turkeys go outside, & what is the coolest temperature 3 week old turkeys tolerate?

[MysteryChicken]

Hello, got some 3 week old, Broad Breasted Bronze Turkey poults, & I usually move them out between, 5-6 weeks old. Was wondering if nights in the 50s, would be too cold for 3 week olds?
Hoping to move them out sooner if possible.

Thanks in advance.

 

[R2elk]

Hello, got some 3 week old, Broad Breasted Bronze Turkey poults, & I usually move them out between, 5-6 weeks old. Was wondering if nights in the 50s, would be too cold for 3 week olds?
Hoping to move them out sooner if possible.

Thanks in advance.

It's all in how you acclimate them. My brooder is in my coop. I start the poults at 90⁰F and reduce the temp by 5⁰F each week. The rest of the brooder is unheated and may be 60⁰F where the food and water is.

At 2 weeks old they are out of the brooder and into the grow out pen. I leave a red 250W heat lamp on at night for them but turn it off during the day unless temperatures are unseasonably cold. By the time mine are 4 weeks old they are normally on the roosts at night and not gathered under the heat lamp.

 

[MysteryChicken]

It's all in how you acclimate them. My brooder is in my coop. I start the poults at 90⁰F and reduce the temp by 5⁰F each week. The rest of the brooder is unheated and may be 60⁰F where the food and water is.

At 2 weeks old they are out of the brooder and into the grow out pen. I leave a red 250W heat lamp on at night for them but turn it off during the day unless temperatures are unseasonably cold. By the time mine are 4 weeks old they are normally on the roosts at night and not gathered under the heat lamp.

I use a heating plate, & the basement temperature is alot cooler, I believe in the low mid 60s at most. They've been spending more, & more time on top of the heating plate, so I'm thinking it's a sign they're getting close to getting moved out.

I would like to avoid a heat lamp if possible.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I have this pen, big enough to brood about 50 chicks, to put the turkeys in once I know they're ready.

Will set it up in the largest coop.

 

[R2elk]

I have this pen, big enough to brood about 50 chicks, to put the turkeys in once I know they're ready.

View attachment 3131455
Will set it up in the largest coop.

My poults have outgrown a cage that size by the time they are 2 weeks old.

 

[MysteryChicken]

My poults have outgrown a cage that size by the time they are 2 weeks old.

Two weeks is pretty small still. The pen is huge.

How many were you brooding? I only have 5 poults.

 

[R2elk]

Two weeks is pretty small still. The pen is huge.

How many were you brooding? I only have 5 poults.

Mine are heritage poults which are flying out of a 4'x4' brooder by the time they are 2 weeks old. It isn't that they can't physically fit in a cage that small as much as it is time for them to increase the space they use.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Mine are heritage poults which are flying out of a 4'x4' brooder by the time they are 2 weeks old. It isn't that they can't physically fit in a cage that small as much as it is time for them to increase the space they use.

Heritage explains it.

But, is it possible for the 3 week old BB Bronze Turkeys to be moved out early, or is the nights in the 50's too cold for them? I've searched, & couldn't get an answer. 6 - 7 weeks is the youngest I could find in the searches, but I move them out close that age alot of the time.

 

[R2elk]

Heritage explains it.

But, is it possible for the 3 week old BB Bronze Turkeys to be moved out early, or is the nights in the 50's too cold for them? I've searched, & couldn't get an answer. 6 - 7 weeks is the youngest I could find in the searches, but I move them out close that age a lot of the time.

It is highly unlikely that your poults will be acclimated to 50°F night time temperatures by the time they are 3 weeks old. They may well be able to handle the daytime temperatures but I would not leave them without supplemental heat at night.

 

[MysteryChicken]

It is highly unlikely that your poults will be acclimated to 50°F night time temperatures by the time they are 3 weeks old. They may well be able to handle the daytime temperatures but I would not leave them without supplemental heat at night.

They're 3 weeks right now. Today was 90°F during the day, so that's plenty warm. It was their first time out in the grass today.

I was hoping I could have them weaned sooner, I'll have to figure something out.

I appreciate your time.