Raising turkeys on a homestead can be a rewarding experience. Whether you’re looking to provide your family with fresh meat, eggs, or simply enjoy their company, turkeys are an excellent addition to many homesteads. They require some care and attention but can thrive in a variety of environments. If you’re new to raising turkeys, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started.
Why Raise Turkeys?
Turkeys can provide a variety of benefits. First and foremost, they’re a great source of meat. Many homesteaders prefer turkey over chicken for its richer flavor and leaner profile. If you plan to raise them for meat, turkeys typically grow larger than chickens, offering more food for your efforts.
Turkeys can be used for pest control. They’re natural foragers and will happily eat insects, ticks, and other pests that may be on your property. This makes them a useful addition to the homestead beyond just food production.
Turkeys have a calm and curious demeanor, making them enjoyable to have around. Many turkey breeds are known for their friendly disposition, which can make them a pleasant part of your daily routine.
Choosing the Right Breed
When starting out with turkeys, it’s important to choose a breed that fits your goals. There are many breeds, each with different characteristics. Some are better for meat production, while others might be more suitable for egg-laying or as pets.
- Broad Breasted White: This is the most common turkey breed raised for meat. They grow quickly and can reach market weight in just a few months. However, they aren’t good foragers and typically require more feed.
- Heritage Breeds: If you’re interested in raising turkeys for more than just meat, heritage breeds might be a better option. Breeds like Bourbon Red or Narragansett are great foragers and can be used for both meat and eggs. Heritage breeds also tend to have a longer lifespan and can reproduce naturally, whereas Broad Breasted Whites typically require artificial insemination.
Once you’ve chosen your breed, it’s time to prepare for the next steps in raising turkeys.
Setting Up Housing for Raising Turkeys
Turkeys need a safe and comfortable place to live. While they don’t require anything too complicated, their housing setup should meet some basic needs.
- Shelter: Turkeys need protection from the elements. A simple coop or barn will work fine, as long as it provides shelter from rain, wind, and predators. You’ll also need to ensure that the shelter has good ventilation, especially in the summer months.
- Space Requirements: Turkeys need space to move around, both indoors and outdoors. Inside the shelter, aim for at least 5-10 square feet per bird. This helps prevent overcrowding and keeps the turkeys healthy. Outdoors, they should have access to a pasture or yard where they can forage. Turkeys are natural foragers and will spend much of their day looking for food if given the opportunity.
- Roosts: Turkeys like to roost off the ground at night. Providing a sturdy perch or roosting bars in their shelter will give them a place to sleep comfortably. Make sure the roosts are strong enough to support the weight of a full-grown turkey. Our turkeys roost on top of our chicken enclosure in our barn. In the wild, turkeys like to roost in trees.
- Predator Protection: Turkeys are vulnerable to predators, especially when they’re young. Make sure their housing is secure with sturdy fencing and that they are locked in at night if predators are a concern in your area. When our turkeys were young and small, they were kept inside the secure barn enclosure at night.
Feeding Turkeys
Feeding your turkeys a balanced diet is key to their growth and health. Turkeys require more protein than chickens, especially when they’re young, so it’s important to provide them with the right food.
- Starter Feed: When turkeys are young (up to 8 weeks), they should be fed a high-protein starter feed. Look for feed with around 28% protein. This will help them grow strong and healthy during their first few weeks of life.
- Grower Feed: After 8 weeks, you can transition your turkeys to grower feed. This has slightly less protein, usually around 18-22%. They should stay on grower feed until they’re close to their full size, typically around 16 weeks.
- Foraging: Turkeys love to forage, and providing them with access to pasture can supplement their diet. They will eat a variety of plants, insects, and seeds. Allowing them to forage not only cuts down on feed costs but also provides them with a more diverse and natural diet.
- Supplements: Occasionally, turkeys may need additional vitamins or minerals. If you notice any health issues or poor growth, consult with a vet to see if they might need supplements in their feed.
Make sure your turkeys always have access to fresh water. Dehydration can be dangerous, especially in hot weather.
Raising Poults (Baby Turkeys)
If you’re starting with poults (baby turkeys), they will require extra care in their first few weeks of life.
- Brooder Setup: Poults need a warm, safe space when they’re first born. A brooder, which is a small, enclosed space with a heat source, works well. Keep the brooder around 95 degrees Fahrenheit for the first week, then gradually reduce the temperature by 5 degrees each week until they are fully feathered and able to regulate their own body temperature.
- Bedding: Use clean, dry bedding in the brooder. Wood shavings, straw, or even old towels can work well. Make sure the bedding is changed regularly to prevent any buildup of bacteria or mold.
- Introducing to the Outdoors: Once the poults are around 6-8 weeks old and fully feathered, you can start introducing them to the outdoors. Start with short periods of outdoor time on warm days, and gradually increase their time outside as they grow stronger and more confident.
CityBoyFarming has a great DIY tutorial.
Health and Care
Keeping your turkeys healthy is crucial to their well-being. Luckily, turkeys are generally hardy birds, but there are a few things to watch out for.
- Common Health Issues: Turkeys can be susceptible to certain diseases, such as blackhead disease, which can be fatal if not treated. Keeping their living area clean and providing fresh water and food can help prevent many health problems. If you notice any signs of illness, such as lethargy, lack of appetite, or diarrhea, consult with a vet who specializes in poultry.
- Vaccinations: Some homesteaders choose to vaccinate their turkeys against common diseases. Talk to your vet about what vaccines might be appropriate for your flock, especially if you’re raising a large number of birds or plan to sell meat or eggs.
- Parasite Control: Turkeys can also be affected by parasites such as mites or lice. Regularly inspecting your birds for signs of infestation and keeping their living area clean will help minimize these risks.
Processing Turkeys for Meat
If you’re raising turkeys for meat, you’ll need to plan for processing when they reach the appropriate age.
- When to Process: Broad Breasted turkeys are typically ready for processing at around 4-6 months, while heritage breeds may take closer to 6-8 months to reach full size. The exact timing will depend on the breed and your goals.
- DIY or Professional Processing: Some homesteaders prefer to process their own turkeys, while others may choose to take them to a professional processing facility. If you’re new to this, it might be worth having your first batch processed by a professional so you can learn the ins and outs before trying it yourself.
- Freezing and Storage: After processing, make sure you have enough freezer space to store the meat. Turkeys take up a significant amount of space, especially if you’re raising multiple birds. Properly label and date your meat so you can keep track of what’s in your freezer.
Raising Turkeys for Eggs
While most people think of chickens when it comes to eggs, turkeys can also be great egg layers. If you’re raising turkeys for eggs, here’s what you need to know:
- Egg Production: Turkeys don’t lay as many eggs as chickens, but their eggs are larger. Most turkeys will start laying eggs in the spring and will continue through the summer. A turkey hen can lay anywhere from 60 to 100 eggs per year, depending on the breed and environment.
- Egg Collection: Just like with chickens, you’ll need to collect eggs daily. Make sure the nesting boxes are clean and comfortable to encourage your hens to lay regularly. Don’t be surprised if your turkeys choose their own nesting place where they feel secure. You may have to hunt for them, especially if you have a larger property.
Raising Turkeys with Other Animals
Many homesteaders raise turkeys alongside other animals, such as chickens, ducks, or goats. While this can work well, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Space: Turkeys need more space than chickens, so make sure they have enough room to roam. Overcrowding can lead to stress and health issues.
- Feed: Turkeys and chickens have different dietary needs, especially when they’re young. If you’re raising them together, make sure each species is getting the appropriate feed. You might need to separate them during feeding times to ensure everyone is eating the right food.
- Behavior: Turkeys can sometimes be more dominant than chickens. Keep an eye on their behavior, especially if you notice any aggression between the birds.
Our turkeys free range with our chickens, ducks, geese, and guineas. We have never had any issues.
Breeding Turkeys on Your Homestead
If you’re thinking of expanding your flock, breeding turkeys is a natural next step. Unlike some chickens, heritage turkeys can reproduce naturally, which allows you to have a sustainable source of turkeys for meat, eggs, or even for sale. Here’s a basic guide to breeding turkeys on your homestead:
- Selecting Breeding Pairs: Start by choosing healthy, strong turkeys to use as your breeding stock. Look for birds with no signs of illness, good size, and strong foraging instincts. It’s important to keep the gene pool diverse, so avoid breeding closely related birds.
- Mating and Fertility: Turkeys generally mate in the spring, with hens laying fertile eggs shortly after. Once mating begins, hens will start laying eggs, which you can either collect for incubation or allow the hens to brood naturally. A hen will lay a clutch of 8-12 eggs before she begins to incubate them.
- Incubation: If you’re using an incubator, turkey eggs will take about 28 days to hatch. It’s important to maintain proper temperature (around 99.5°F) and humidity levels in the incubator. If you’re allowing the hen to sit on the eggs, make sure she’s in a quiet, safe location where predators won’t disturb her or the nest.
- Raising Poults: After the poults hatch, they will require the same care as any other baby turkey, including a brooder setup, high-protein starter feed, and careful monitoring. As they grow, you’ll eventually be able to integrate them into the rest of your flock.
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
While raising turkeys can be straightforward, there are a few common challenges you might encounter, especially as a beginner.
- Weather Considerations: Turkeys can be sensitive to extreme weather conditions. In hot weather, make sure they have plenty of shade and fresh water. In cold weather, their shelter should be draft-free, and you might need to add extra bedding or use a heat lamp to keep young birds warm.
- Predators: Predators like foxes, raccoons, and hawks can pose a serious threat to your flock, especially at night. Keep your turkeys in a secure enclosure, and consider using a livestock guardian dog or secure fencing to protect them from ground predators.
- Disease Management: Turkeys, like any livestock, can be prone to certain diseases. Blackhead disease, as mentioned earlier, is one of the most common issues. Keeping turkeys and chickens separate can help reduce the risk, as chickens can carry the disease without showing symptoms. Maintaining good hygiene in their living quarters and monitoring for signs of illness is essential for preventing outbreaks.
Expanding Your Homestead with Turkeys
As your flock grows and you become more experienced, you might consider expanding the role of turkeys on your homestead. Some homesteaders choose to raise turkeys for sale, either as live birds or processed meat. Others might focus on breeding and selling heritage turkeys, which are in demand due to their natural foraging abilities and self-sustaining qualities.
If you decide to expand, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Marketing Your Birds: If you’re raising turkeys for sale, it’s important to have a plan for how you’ll market them. You can sell directly to consumers at farmers’ markets or through community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs. You might also consider selling to local restaurants or grocery stores if there’s demand for locally raised, organic, or heritage turkey.
- Processing Equipment: If you’re raising a larger number of turkeys, investing in your own processing equipment can save you money in the long run. While professional processing is a great option when you’re just starting out, having your own setup gives you more flexibility as your operation grows.
- Record Keeping: As with any livestock operation, keeping good records is important. This includes tracking breeding pairs, hatch dates, feed costs, and health records. Good record keeping helps you manage your flock more effectively and ensures that you’re making informed decisions about breeding, feeding, and selling.
Final Thoughts on Raising Turkeys
Raising turkeys on your homestead is a rewarding venture that can provide you with a sustainable source of meat, eggs, and even companionship. With a little planning and care, your turkeys will thrive, providing you with food and enriching your homesteading experience.
By understanding the basics of housing, feeding, breeding, and health care, you’ll be well-equipped to take on the challenge of turkey farming. Over time, you’ll develop your own system that works best for your homestead and your goals. Whether you choose to raise turkeys for personal use, to sell, or simply for the joy of having them around, they can be a valuable and enjoyable part of homesteading life.
