I am probably going in over my head but we want to start chickens for the first time this year, layers & broilers, but we'd also like to have some turkeys. Other than being incredibly dense (from what I've heard & read) are there other challenges? I want to raise about a dozen. That would provide for my family and a couple left over to sell if I can keep them from smothering each other at the get-go. Any advice would be appreciated. Right now I'm thinking I'd keep them in a pen next to the chickens but not all together.
We kept our turkeys in a pen next to our chickens. You have to have it covered, or they will drown. I always thought they were more stinky than chickens. They are very dumb. we would leave the door open wide, and they would just stand in their pen.
Farmgirl Sister #91 Make cupcakes not war!
Edited by - one_dog_per_acre on Jan 24 2008 9:01:52 PM
I'd like more info, too. How much harder are they to raise than meat chickens? I'd imagine they eat a whole lot more. How long till butchering size? Are they HARD to butcher? Are they hard to take care of? Do they fight? etc etc
i've had limited experience with turkeys and would never try to raise them from chicks again. Every time I turned around they wanted to lay down and die. I loved the turks I bought as adults though. It was so much fun to watch that tom strutt!
What we write today slipped into our souls some other day when we were alone and doing nothing. -Brenda Ueland
I raised turkeys for thanksgiving once (2 of them). I got them as chicks and we bonded. Serioulsy- I loved them- they were so mellow and follwed me around like puppies so of couse I couldnt do the deed when november rolled around! I'm thinking of getting another pair eventually as yard pets (and bug control).
Turkeys? Gobble, Gobble!!
Posted - Jan 24 2008 : 02:59:06 AM
