How Long Does it Take to Raise a Turkey? If you are raising BB turkeys, they will reach butchering weight faster than a heritage breed. I found that in about 3 1/2 months I had Broad Breasted turkeys that dressed out at around 12-14 pounds. After 4 1/2 to 5 months they dressed out in the 15-19 pound range.
How can I fatten up a turkey fast?
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.)
How fast do turkeys gain weight?
On average, a hen turkey will consume around 35 pounds of feed (current cost of about $5.69 or $. 33/pound of gain) and reach 14-20 pounds (live weight) in 12-14 weeks.
How do you fatten a turkey for Christmas?
At the end of the season (around the end of September/early October), home grown oats are incorporated into the turkey’s feed. Oat is good feed for turkeys as it is an oil-based cereal. Turkeys become really nicely flavoured and well fattened when they are fed on oats.
How much feed does a turkey eat per day?
Heritage turkeys will eat 73 pounds of feed by 28 weeks
| Heritage Turkey Age (in weeks) | Total Pounds Of Feed (per poult for 2 weeks) | Daily Pounds Of Feed (per poult per day) |
|---|---|---|
| 5-6 | 1.9 | 0.14 |
| 7-8 | 2.84 | .2 |
| 9-10 | 3.54 | .25 |
| 11-12 | 4.32 | .31 |
Can you feed turkeys corn?
FEED turkeys cracked or whole kernel corn, sunflower seeds, oats, wheat, or non-medicated commercial poultry or turkey rations. FEED turkeys daily by broadcasting food at a rate of 2 large handfuls (or 1/2 cup) per turkey per day.
What fruit do turkeys like?
Other planting suggestions include black cherry trees, blueberries, wild grapes and dogwood. Wild turkeys consume cacti fruits in arid areas and like many species of wildlife, will even consume poison ivy berries too.
Do turkeys eat bananas?
By far, the turkey’s favorite snacks are small pieces of Bananas. However they readily gobble down any type of bread, raisins and grapes.
What should you not feed turkeys?
Foods You Should Never Feed to Turkeys
- Low-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.
What is the best feed for turkey?
Turkeys are fed nutritionally balanced diets of mixed grains and oilseeds, which typically include corn, soya, wheat, barley and canola, for healthy growth and development.
Why are farm raised turkeys white?
The great majority of domestic turkeys are bred to have white feathers because their pin feathers are less visible when the carcass is dressed, although brown or bronze-feathered varieties are also raised.
When should I start raising Thanksgiving turkeys?
Most turkey breeds will mature between 14-22 weeks of age, which means you will need to purchase birds early in July to make sure they have enough time to grow. Heritage breeds will take a bit longer, 25-30 weeks, so those birds would need to be purchased in late May or early June.
How long does it take to raise a turkey for Christmas?
The minimum age a bird is ready for eating is 22-weeks-old. But the general rule is the older the better as the fat develops most in the last six weeks. Therefore, 26-weeks-old is the ideal slaughter age. At this age, they will self-baste and develop lots of flavour from their bone marrow.
Should you hang turkeys?
Hang the bird in a cool room for about ten days, which tenderises the meat and improves the flavour.
Can I raise turkeys with 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.
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.
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.
How much water does a turkey drink per day?
Adult turkeys drink a lot of water. 5 turkeys can drink 1 gallon of water, per day.
Is cracked corn or whole corn better for turkeys?
Cracked Corn-Corn is chocked full of protein and fiber that makes a great wild turkey food. Cracked corn is simply corn that has been dried and broken into pieces. This process makes it easier for wild turkeys to digest. There is also little waste associated with cracked corn.
What do turkeys eat in the winter?
The largest part of their diet is usually nuts, especially acorns, beechnuts, and hickory nuts. In most winters, there are ample supplies of nuts on the forest floor. Turkeys are vulnerable when deep snow stays on the ground for weeks at a time and covers their favorite feeding places.
Can turkeys eat table scraps?
Turkeys like to eat the growing tips of the grass. They will also enjoy any kitchen or garden scraps: lettuce, tomatoes, sweet corn, summer squash, and so on.