With regards to elevating livestock, some individuals, together with your writer right here, are simply mad about poultry. I really like the flexibility of birds contemplating they will present eggs and meat, together with helpful fertilizer.
They’re additionally so much simpler to deal with and require so much much less room than different animals. However if you’d like greater birds than chickens, and particularly if you’d like a ton of meat, turkeys are the best way to go.
There are a variety of similarities between chickens and turkeys in relation to elevating them, however numerous variations too as you may think.
In the event you’ve ever had questions on elevating turkeys, you’ve come to the fitting place, as a result of in the present day I’m bringing you a information that can let you know every part you want to know.
What are Turkeys Raised For?
Turkeys are well-liked cattle which have been raised for hundreds of years for his or her wealthy, flavorful meat, and different merchandise.
They’re an incredible addition to any homestead or farm, providing a variety of advantages for his or her homeowners, together with a enjoyable and rewarding pastime, sustainable meat supply, eggs and even a possible supply of earnings.
Turkeys are raised primarily for his or her meat, which is prized for its tender texture and wealthy taste.
These birds develop rapidly and might attain a weight of as much as 20 lbs (9 kgs) or extra in just some months, making them an environment friendly and cost-effective supply of protein.
Whether or not roasted, smoked, or grilled, turkey is a staple of each Thanksgiving, and can be a scrumptious possibility for on a regular basis cooking.
Along with meat and eggs, turkeys may also supply different merchandise akin to feathers, and even manure, which can be utilized to fertilize crops and gardens.
This makes them a wonderful selection for homesteaders and starting farmers who’re searching for a low-maintenance animal so as to add to their operation.
What are the Execs and Cons of Turkeys?
Like all livestock species, and even in comparison with different poultry, turkeys have their very own professionals and cons:
Execs Of Elevating Turkeys
Environment friendly Supply of Meat
Turkeys develop comparatively rapidly for his or her total measurement, and might attain maturity in just some months, making them a wonderful supply of protein for a homestead or farm.
Versatile
Turkeys can be utilized for meat or different merchandise like eggs and feathers, serving to to create a extra sustainable and numerous operation.
Hardy
These birds are well-adapted to quite a lot of climates and might thrive in less-than-ideal situations, making them a sensible choice for starting farmers or these with restricted sources.
Low Upkeep
Turkeys don’t require a variety of specialised tools or care, and will be comparatively simple to boost so long as they’ve entry to fundamental shelter, water, and meals.
Cons Of Elevating Turkeys
Noisy
Turkeys will be very noisy birds, particularly throughout mating season. This generally is a drawback for these with shut neighbors or those that are simply disturbed by loud noises.
Danger of Illness
Turkeys will be extremely prone to sure illnesses, akin to avian influenza and blackhead illness, which will be tough to deal with and might trigger vital losses.
They will catch a number of the worst ones from chickens and different birds!
Aggressive Conduct
Male turkeys, or toms, will be aggressive and territorial. Contemplating how giant and highly effective these birds are, this could make them tough to deal with and pose a possible security threat. Loads of interplay can curb this, nevertheless.
Messy
Turkeys are messy birds, producing a variety of waste and requiring common cleansing of their residing quarters in comparison with geese and chickens.
Gradual to Mature
Though they develop rapidly relative to different cattle, it could possibly nonetheless take many months for turkeys to succeed in true maturity, so a long-term dedication is required to boost them to market measurement.
Select the Proper Breed
Although nowhere close to as quite a few as hen breeds, there are nonetheless quite a lot of home turkey breeds, every with their very own distinctive traits and benefits.
The most well-liked business breeds embrace Broad Breasted White, Commonplace Bronze, and Narragansett.
Broad Breasted White turkeys are probably the most extensively used sort for business manufacturing, thanks partly to their fast progress price and excessive meat yield.
They develop rapidly and are usually prepared for market in about 16 weeks. These birds have all-white feathers, making them simply identifiable, in addition to a broad breastbone which makes them appropriate for larger-scale operations.
Commonplace Bronze turkeys are one of many oldest domesticated breeds, having been developed in Europe by crossbreeding a number of wild species.
This breed is smaller than the Broad Breasted White however can be extremely environment friendly in relation to changing feed into body weight.
These birds have deep bronze or copper coloured plumage which will be fairly putting.
Narragansett turkeys are one other well-liked breed that originated in Rhode Island and New England throughout colonial occasions.
These birds have lengthy tail feathers and black bars on their legs that distinguish them from different forms of home turkeys.
They are typically slower rising than different breeds however nonetheless produce a superb quantity of meat per fowl, making them a pretty selection for smaller scale farms or homesteads.
How A lot House Do Turkeys Want?
Turkeys want rather more room than chickens, and ideally a spacious enclosure that enables them to maneuver round and interact in pure behaviors, akin to foraging and dirt bathing.
The quantity of house they want relies on the breed and variety of birds, however usually talking, one turkey requires not less than 25 sq. toes (2 sq. meters) per fowl, although some can tolerate much less house for a shorter time.
The out of doors space ought to embrace a grassy yard with sufficient room for all the birds to unfold out with out crowding each other.
It also needs to embrace shaded areas, filth patches or mulch for mud bathing, in addition to roosts and different locations to perch.
Meals and Water
What Do Turkeys Eat?
Home turkeys have a easy but diverse weight loss program that features quite a lot of grains, fruits, and greens.
They get pleasure from meals akin to oats, corn, wheat, and barley in addition to recent fruits like apples and berries. Greens akin to lettuce, broccoli, and squash are additionally well-liked with turkeys.
It’s vital to complement their weight loss program with calcium sources like oyster or clam shells, or poultry grit.
Protein sources akin to mealworms, small fish or chopped-up eggs also needs to be supplied often to ensure a balanced dietary consumption.
How A lot Meals Do Turkeys Want Every day?
How a lot meals a turkey wants relies on its age and measurement. A mature grownup (20+ weeks outdated) will eat as much as 1-2 lbs (500 grams to 1 kilogram) of feed per day, whereas youthful birds might have half that quantity or much less.
It’s vital to offer loads of feed all through the day, as turkeys are grazers by nature and luxuriate in nibbling on small quantities of meals all through.
Additionally contemplate this when figuring out feed prices: turkeys eat an entire lot extra meals than chickens or geese, and so they want extra protein than geese since they’re extra muscular as a rule!
How Do Turkeys Prefer to Drink?
Turkeys additionally want entry to scrub ingesting water always.
A big and durable gravity-fed trough is good for turkeys to drink from, as it will assist be sure that they all the time have loads of water on demand, and it’ll additionally resist being knocked over. It’s additionally able to serving giant numbers of birds without delay.
Smaller turkeys, or poults, can drink from a nipple waterer when they’re younger, however as they develop bigger and extra energetic, they need to additionally change to the trough.
Keep away from giant, open containers: Turkeys get pleasure from taking baths in shallow water if given the chance!
All water sources ought to be cleaned and altered every day with the intention to forestall the onset of illness between birds.
Do Turkeys Have to Free-Vary?
Typically sure. Turkeys want grass on the minimal to free-range on, and that is consistent with their basic want for house with the intention to thrive.
Free-ranging additionally provides them entry to grit, and bugs which may present a supply of protein.
When permitting turkeys to free vary, it’s vital to make sure they’ve entry to a shady space to allow them to relaxation throughout scorching climate.
You also needs to keep watch over your flock whereas they’re out roaming, as predators like coyotes generally is a hazard.
Nevertheless, solely the most important birds of prey will goal mature, grownup turkeys, and toms put up a heck of a combat.
What Type of Shelter Do Turkeys Want?
Home turkeys are a lot bigger birds than chickens and so require rather more room than chickens to reside comfortably.
The most suitable choice for sheltering home turkeys is a small barn with sufficient house for strolling and standing (for those who permit them to return and go freely.
For just a few turkeys an additional giant coop is perhaps sufficient. Roosts ought to be sturdy, vast, simply accessible and comparatively low to the bottom.
Nesting bins should even be a lot bigger, round 2 ½ toes squared.
If the turkeys should not allowed to free-range, they will even require a run which ought to be enclosed with, not less than, 5 foot fences as a result of, regardless of their cumbersome look, most home turkeys can fly very nicely over brief distances.
Giant and heavy home turkeys don’t fly so nicely, however can’t be trusted! Ideally, the run ought to have an higher netting or cowl to maintain the turkeys from flying away or being carried attacked by predators.
How Do Turkeys Get Together with Different Animals?
It varies. Though you’ll discover no finish to anecdotal tales in individual and on the web.
Typically, you possibly can count on mature turkeys to get alongside tremendous with chickens and geese (assuming there’s loads of room and no useful resource stress) and likewise with geese, though the dimensions parity would possibly trigger some points.
Nevertheless, canines are predators recognized to trigger stress to turkeys and cats might even see poults particularly as potential prey, so it’s finest to maintain them separated. Don’t flip your again regardless.
Pigs can’t be trusted to not kill turkeys. Bigger animals like cows and horses would possibly get together with them okay, however the threat of an unintentional damage is excessive.
Widespread Turkey Well being Issues and Illnesses,
Turkeys are usually thought of very hardy birds, however they will nonetheless develop well being points if their care shouldn’t be optimum.
Widespread turkey well being points embrace Fowl Pox, Chlamydiosis, Blackhead illness and Avian Flu.
Fowl Pox is a viral an infection that causes lesions on the face and comb of the fowl, whereas Avian Flu is a lethal virus unfold via contact with wild waterfowl and poultry; each of those require veterinary remedy to remedy.
Chlamydiosis is one other bacterial an infection, usually present in turkeys with weak immune programs; it’s unfold by respiratory secretions and feathers from different contaminated birds.
Blackhead Illness is likely one of the worst illnesses for turkeys, brought on by a protozoan parasite; it may be deadly if left untreated.
Different extra minor well being points embrace Avian Gastric Yeast overgrowth which may trigger issues with digestion, in addition to dietary deficiencies brought on by poor weight loss program or lack of entry to daylight in winter months.
It’s vital to apply common biosecurity protocols akin to:
- Retaining your flock away from wild birds
- Offering them with a balanced weight loss program,
- Providing ample house for every fowl to prosper
- Cleansing up any messes rapidly.
Turkey Trivia
Turkeys are shockingly quick! In the event you’ve ever watched them gingerly, slowly, nearly sedately strut round you is perhaps shocked to study that some leaner home turkeys can run at speeds in extra of 25 miles per hour (40 kmh).
Fairly athletic efficiency from what appears to be a big and chubby fowl. This velocity could make them tough to include (or get away from!) in the event that they escape an enclosure.
That is one other good motive why all your enclosures should be escape proof: you’ll have little probability of catching a turkey if it will get out, until you’re an Olympic sprinter!
Sure, they will, and most fly nicely in the event that they don’t get too fats! All turkeys, together with home ones, are able to flight, although they hardly ever fly very excessive.
Turkeys usually fly as much as the peak of a tall tree or decrease, however they will fly sooner than 55 mph.
Fairly spectacular! Wild turkeys are able to longer sustained flight, nevertheless, and might journey a number of miles in quest of meals.
Home breeds are typically a lot heavier than wild birds, and this could make them much less prone to fly and extra vulnerable to damage dropping to floor degree.
Even so, they are going to simply hop fences, so be ready to clip wings to maintain them in place.
Turkeys are very like chickens on this regard: they take mud baths! In contrast to a hen, a turkey will elevate an enormous cloud when mud bathing, and they also want much more mud of their bathing space.
You should use the identical sort of supplies that you’d use for chickens, together with sand, wooden ash, and sifted filth.
Take into account that turkeys want a wider and deeper tub than chickens as they’re bigger birds.
It’s vital to ensure that the mud bathing space is clear and free from droppings, as it will assist forestall the onset of illness and parasites.
