Turkeys can be a rewarding addition to your farm or homestead. They’re not only a source of delicious meat for your table or market, but they also have curious, entertaining personalities that can bring a lot of joy to your daily routine. If you’re just getting started, here’s what you need to know to raise healthy and happy turkeys.

Picking Up Your Poults

Your turkey-raising journey often begins with a trip to the post office to pick up a box of day-old poults shipped from the hatchery. The hatchery ensures they are safely packed in a ventilated box with bedding for their journey. When you pick them up, inspect the poults to ensure they look active and healthy. Once you get home, transfer them carefully to a pre-warmed brooder to help them adjust to their new environment. Turkeys are very fragile during their first few weeks, so it’s important to check on your poults every few hours to ensure they are thriving and to minimize losses.

Deciding on the Flock

Before ordering your poults, consider how many turkeys you’re ready to raise. Starting with 6-12 birds is manageable for beginners, but you can adjust based on your goals and space. You’ll also need to decide whether to pay extra for all-female turkeys (hens). Hens tend to have fewer issues with fighting compared to toms, especially as they grow, so this might be worth the investment if you’re looking for a more peaceful flock.

Heritage Breeds vs. Broad-Breasted Turkeys

You’ll also need to decide whether to raise heritage breeds or broad-breasted whites. Heritage breeds are hardy, can reproduce naturally, and are well-suited for pasture-based systems. They take longer to grow but often have richer flavors. Broad-breasted whites, on the other hand, grow quickly and produce larger birds, making them ideal for meat production. However, if you plan to take your turkeys to a processor, check in advance if they charge extra for birds with dark or brown feathers, as these often take longer to process.

If you’ll be processing your own turkeys, ensure that your equipment can handle them. Your plucker and scalder need to accommodate larger birds, and your kill cones should be appropriately sized for turkeys.

Setting Up Your Brooder and Coop

Young poults need a warm, secure brooder to thrive. Start with a temperature of 95°F and lower it by 5°F each week until they’re fully feathered and ready to transition outside. Make sure your brooder is draft-free, has clean bedding, and provides enough space for the poults to move around comfortably.

As your turkeys grow, they’ll need a dedicated turkey coop. A well-ventilated shelter with roosting bars and secure fencing is essential to protect them from predators and provide a safe space at night. If you plan to pasture your turkeys, portable electrified fencing is a great option to rotate their grazing area and keep them active and healthy.

Biosecurity and Managing Blackhead Risk

You might hear conflicting advice about whether turkeys and chickens should be kept apart due to the risk of blackhead disease, which can be transmitted between the species. While some farmers don’t see it as a major concern, it’s always a good idea to follow basic biosecurity practices. Keeping different flocks separated can help reduce the spread of disease and ensure the health of all your birds.

Final Thoughts

Raising turkeys can feel overwhelming at first, but with the right preparation, it’s a manageable and rewarding experience. Start small, invest in quality housing and equipment, and take the time to learn as you go. Remember, you’re not just raising turkeys—you’re building a farm and a future. If you’re ready to dive in, Veterans IN Farming is here to support you every step of the way. Join our Poultry Processing session at Conference. Farm ON!