How long does it take to grow a Turkey for meat?
Most of the meat turkeys that you would be growing for meat are Broad Breasted Whites or Bronze, since these are buy far the fastest growing turkeys available. The choice to process at 16 weeks up to 20 weeks (or even longer if you want a massive bird), is based on how big of a bird you want to cook and whether the turkey is male or female.
What is the lifespan of a farmed Turkey?
A farmed turkey’s lifespan depends on the turkey’s gender. Hens are considered ready for slaughter at 14 to 16 weeks old, and male turkeys at around 19 weeks old. Some intensively farmed turkeys are slaughtered as young as 12 weeks old.
How long does it take for a Turkey to be processed?
However, you can get away with 12 weeks, if you just want a 12-14 pound turkey. Heritage turkeys take 25-30 weeks to before they will be ready to be processed for eating.
When should I start raising turkeys for Thanksgiving?
If you want to raise turkeys that will be ready to harvest before Thanksgiving, then you’ll want to start them in June. Broad-breasted turkeys will reach harvest size in about 16-22 weeks. Heritage breeds take a little longer and will reach harvest weight at about 25-30 weeks.
How long does it take to grow a 20 pound turkey?
Most people have their broad breasted turkeys butchered between 18 and 20 weeks of age. Tom's butchered at 18 weeks will average a carcass of approximately 29 lbs and hens will yield a carcass of approximately 20 lbs.
What is the best age to butcher a turkey?
The best age to butcher a Broad Breasted Turkey is 16-20 weeks, for heritage breed turkeys it's 24-28 weeks. Congratulations! Home raised turkey will really up your skills and confidence, not to mention your holiday meals!
What to feed turkeys to fatten them up?
Corn tops the list of grains fed to turkeys for fattening. Oats can also be fed, especially if cannibalism or feather picking is a problem, since the high fiber content of this grain is generally recognized as one means of reducing feather picking (in chickens as well as in turkeys.)
Are turkeys easy to raise?
Turkeys are not that hard to raise, but they differ a bit from chickens in terms of what they need, and raising them from poults (baby turkeys) is more time- and energy-intensive than raising chickens from baby chicks.
Can you eat a 2 year old turkey?
According to the Butterball Turkey Talk Line, you can keep a turkey stored in the freezer for up to two years, and it's still safe to cook.
Can I raise turkeys with my chickens?
One of the main ways to keep turkeys healthy is too NOT raise chickens and turkeys together. When turkeys and chickens are raised together, turkeys run a high risk of contracting the disease histomoniasis, also known as blackhead.
What can turkeys not eat?
Foods You Should Never Feed to TurkeysLow-quality chicken feed. Turkeys require more protein than chickens do, therefore, a simple chicken feed will not contain the nutrition that a turkey needs. ... Other Livestock Feeds. ... Dried/Raw Beans. ... Avocados. ... Fruit Pits and Seeds. ... Tomato and Eggplant Leaves. ... Raw Meat. ... Onions.More items...
What is the best bedding for turkeys?
Litter: The best bedding for turkeys is 2-3 inches of clean sand covering the floor. You may also use large wood shavings, straw or hay. Make sure the bedding is very dry before placing it in the brooder. Turn the bedding every few days to eliminate poult contact with their feces and add extra bedding when necessary.
Do turkeys like water?
Wild turkeys tend to live near water sources, although this is because they, like all living creatures, need to consume water to survive. If they fall in or are giving chase to insects and other prey, they will happily do so on rivers, creeks, and other bodies of water.
Do turkeys bond with humans?
Turkeys form strong social bonds and show affection towards one another. Turkeys are gentle creatures who enjoy socializing with human companions and protecting other turkeys with whom they've bonded.
Are turkeys cleaner than chickens?
It may sound counter intuitive, but turkeys are less messy in my experience than chickens. Even though turkeys are larger than chickens, and the waste load is in fact larger, I still feel like the turkey coop stays a lot cleaner than the chicken coop. Mostly that's due to the behavior of turkeys.
Are turkeys high maintenance?
Like chickens, they need quality feed, fresh water, a secure living space and run, clean bedding, roosting poles, and ground-level nesting boxes. Other than that, there are a few differences between chickens and turkeys.
How long can you keep a freshly slaughtered turkey?
A freshly killed bird is fresh and delicious for up to 10 days from processing if kept very cold.
How long do you let a turkey rest after butchering?
The packing station – the best way to handle the meat after butchering is to let it sit on ice or in the fridge for 24 hours before placing it in the freezer. If you don't have enough room in your fridge, you will need a large cooler and a couple of bags of ice. If you'd like, you can break apart your turkey.
How old is a turkey when you eat it?
The natural life expectancy of turkeys is up to 10 years, but on factory farms, they are slaughtered when they're just 5 months old. In nature, young turkeys stay with their mothers for the first few months of their lives.
When should you butcher a turkey for Thanksgiving?
Of course, you don't have to freeze your turkey right away – you can always cook it right up! If you're going to do this, try to butcher your turkey about 2 days in advance of when you want to cook it. This will give the carcass time to “age” in the refrigerator so it's not tough.
How long does it take for a turkey to reach harvest weight?
Broad-breasted turkeys will reach harvest size in about 16-22 weeks. Heritage breeds take a little longer and will reach harvest weight at about 25-30 weeks. Simply mark your calendar and then work backwards, depending on the type of turkey that you’ll be raising.
How long does it take for a turkey egg to hatch?
It takes turkey eggs 28 days to hatch.
Why are my turkeys slate?
The slate color is due to a genetic mutation that leads to the smoky gray coloring. Slate turkeys can also be called Lavender or Blue turkey. Some Slate turkeys can have brown edges to their feathers but this is considered a defect and is undesired. Toms mature at 23 pounds and hens at 14 pounds.
How much does a turkey cost to raise?
You can expect to raise turkeys for somewhere around $1.20 per pound. This will depend more on the type of turkey you raise, the feed you give them and whether they are pasture raised or not. Broad breasted breeds usually grow faster and can reach harvest weight in about three and a half months.
What is the smallest turkey?
The Midget White turkey is the smallest breed of turkey. The breed weighs in at 13 pounds for toms and 8 pounds for hens. These turkeys have broad breasts for their size and look like miniatures of the larger broad-breasted breeds. Midget Whites are known to be excellent breeders and overly friendly.
What is the black breed of turkey?
Once back in the U.S., the Black was bred with Eastern American turkeys. The breed has deep, black feathers with a greenish tinge. The skin is white.
When was the Beltsville turkey created?
The Beltsville Small White turkey was created in the 1940’s. Prior to the Beltsville Small White, families had to purchase large turkeys. The consumer demand for smaller turkeys led to the creation of the breed. The birds would mature with hens weighing about 10 pounds and toms around 17.
How long do turkey eggs last?
Husbandry: Eggs for breeding shouls be collected every 4 hours if the pen temperature is above 80F, and stored at the proper temperature (55-68F), maximum storage time for turkey eggs is 14 days. If dirty wash at temperatures of 110-120F and dry properly before storing.
How many eggs does a turkey lay?
The turkey has been known to have up to the turkey has been known to have up to 13 to 16 eggs in a nest. If the nest was eaten by a predator skunk, raccoon, or a fox. The turkey would lay eggs again in a different nest. If the young turkeys would hatch and get eaten by a predator again that turkey would nest and try it again.
How long does it take for a meat bird to be ready for slaughter?
Modern meat birds are bred to be ready for slaughter at 14 to 18 weeks depending on the size you want.
Can domestic turkeys mate?
If you are trying to breed domestic turkeys, know that some breeds can't successfully mate without “help”. Just sayin'.
How long does it take to raise a turkey?
The length of time that it takes to raise a turkey to butcher age, depends on the type of turkey that you decide to get. It also depends on how big you want your birds to be .
How long does it take to get a turkey to 20 pounds?
If you have a big family, or are raising them for sale, to get a Broad Breasted turkey to 20 pounds will take probably 40 or more weeks.
How much space do turkeys need?
Each turkey will need about 6 square feet in their coop. Turkeys also don’t need to have quite the amount of protection that chickens do.
Why do turkeys need grit?
Grit. Turkeys, like any poultry, need grit to digest their food. Since they don’t have teeth, grit is kept in their crops to help grind up the food so it more easily passes to the stomach. If your turkeys free-range, they will most likely get their own grit in the form of small pieces of gravel and sand.
What is a broad breasted turkey?
Broad Breasted turkeys are the ones you typically find at your local feed store or hatchery. They grow fast and have lots of meat on their chest (hence the name, broad breasted!). Typically they are not able to reproduce, and their life span is naturally shorter.
What is heritage turkey?
Heritage breed turkeys are closer to their wild relatives. They grow slower, but they are also able to reproduce on their own. There are quite a few heritage breeds, including Royal Palm, Blue Slate, Bourbon Red, Black Spanish, and Midget White.
How hot should a turkey poult be?
A good quality heat lamp is essential for your little birds, and a thermometer is very helpful. Turkey poults need it to be 95 degrees for their first week of life, then reduced by 5 degrees each week thereafter. After approximately 6 weeks, or when they are fully feathered, they can go outside.
How long does it take for a heritage turkey to mature?
A heritage breed turkey will mature at 25-30 weeks. So when you have determined they have reached the appropriate weight, you will pull your turkeys out and butcher them. How you choose to butcher them is totally up to you. You will butcher turkeys the same as you do chickens.
How long does it take for a turkey to hatch?
It takes about 28-31 days to hatch turkey eggs. Then it’ll take 6-7 months for a baby turkey to reach sexual maturity (ready to lay eggs and be butchered). It’s important to know how to hatch turkey eggs.
How much does a Royal Palm turkey weigh?
They do not get big fast, but they are able to breed naturally. Here are some of heritage breeds: Royal Palm: Toms weigh about 18-20 pounds, hens about 10-14 pounds.
How much space do turkeys need?
One turkey needs at least 6.25-feet of space. They also need roosts to sleep.
What is a baby turkey called?
Just for your own knowledge, a baby turkey is called a poult or a chick. In this particular setting, I’m going to refer to it as a poult. First, you will need to purchase your poults. There are a few things to take into consideration when making your initial purchase. 1.
How high should a fence be for a turkey?
They also need roosts to sleep. You’ll also need fencing to protect your turkeys from predators. Turkeys are flighty, so your fence needs to be at least 4-feet high. Once you have purchased your electric fencing you need to install it effectively and safely and this guide will help with the process.
Can turkeys breed naturally?
However, if you decide to go with the type of turkey you purchase at the store (Broad Breasted Turkeys) they get bigger faster. Still, they are not able to breed naturally. So this means you will have to artificially inseminate your Broad Breasted Turkeys in order for them to reproduce or buy them as poults each year.
How much protein is needed for a turkey grower?
A turkey grower diet typically has 26% protein. Note that chicken starter and grower diets are too low in protein, and turkeys fed these diets will have reduced growth performance. As the turkeys grow, they get taller and their necks get longer. The height of the feeders should be adjusted to match the birds’ growth.
Why do turkeys need to be raised in a warm environment?
Poults need to be raised in a warm, draft-free environment because they are unable to regulate their body temperature for the first 10 days of life.
What is the protein content of a turkey starter?
Commercial varieties of turkeys are fast-growing. They require a high-protein diet. Turkey starter diets typically contain 28% protein in crumble form.
What is a breed of turkey?
The types of turkeys often referred to as “breeds” are actually varieties of a single breed of turkey. The most common variety grown commercially is the Large White, but there are many other breeds of turkeys to choose from.
How high should the temperature be for brooding?
In the brooding area, the temperature should be started at 100°F, measured two inches above the floor (that is, at the level of the poult). Reduce the temperature by 5°F each week. A red infrared heat lamp is best to supply the heat needed. The bulb should be suspended at least 18 in. above the floor.
Who raised broilers and turkeys for competition?
Raising broilers and turkeys for competition . Susan Watkins, Frank Jones, F. Dustan Clark, and Jerry Wooley, University of Arkansas.
Do you have to care for turkeys every day?
While raising turkeys does not require a lot of time each day, turkeys do require daily care. Before starting a flock of turkeys, it is important to identify your goal. This will dictate the best breed and management system for your flock. Are you raising turkeys for your own consumption or for sale?
How long does it take for a turkey to grow?
Turkeys are processed at 16 weeks. Most of the meat turkeys that you would be growing for meat are Broad Breasted Whites or Bronze, since these are buy far the fastest growing turkeys available. The choice to process at 16 weeks up to 20 weeks (or even longer if you want a massive bird), is based on how big of a bird you want to cook ...
What is the fastest growing turkey?
Most of the meat turkeys that you would be growing for meat are Broad Breasted Whites or Bronze, since these are buy far the fastest growing turkeys available.
What is the best turkey for growth?
If you are looking for growth, broad breasted turkeys are your top choice. Nothing else will compare in terms of the amount of meat you’ll get for the money you put into the poult and the feed. If you are raising turkeys just for a great meat animal, go for the broad breasted birds.
How old is a turkey to butcher?
The best age to butcher a Broad Breasted Tur key is 16-20 weeks, for heritage breed turkeys it’s 24-28 weeks. Congratulations! Home raised turkey will really up your skills and confidence, not to mention your holiday meals! We’ll dig into some of the things you need to know to get the well grown turkey you want for the dates you need!
What is the breed number of a broad breasted white turkey?
24.14. These numbers are for Broad Breasted White turkeys, not heritage birds. Of course, you can raise a heritage breed for meat as long as you are okay with a smaller carcass that will take longer to finish.
What are the characteristics of a broad breasted turkey?
Broad Breasted turkeys have been heavily selected for the traits that make them stellar confinement turkeys, fast growth, tons of breast meat and white feathers. While all of these traits are impressive, they come at a cost of Broad Breasted turkeys needing more exacting feed and not being able to naturally breed.
How much does a Heritage turkey weigh?
Heritage turkeys vary in mature weights. Some of the heritage turkeys grow to 30 pounds (Chocolate toms) but do not have a market weight listed. Others toms are at 16-23 pounds market weight (Royal Palms and Bourbon Reds) with a mature weight of 22-33.
