Turkeys are large and beautiful birds that can provide you with delicious meat, eggs, and feathers. Raising turkeys can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience, as well as a profitable one. However, turkeys are not the same as chickens, and they require some special care and attention. In this article, we will guide you through the basics of raising turkeys, including how to choose the right breed, how to house them, how to feed them, how to keep them healthy, and how to process them for meat.

Choosing the Right Breed of Turkeys

The first step in raising turkeys is to decide what breed of turkeys you want to raise. There are two main types of turkey: heritage breeds and broad-breasted breeds. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your goals and preferences.

Heritage breeds are the traditional breeds of turkeys that have been raised for centuries by farmers and homesteaders. They are more adapted to natural conditions, such as free-ranging, foraging, flying, and reproducing. They also have more flavor and texture in their meat, as well as more colorful feathers. Some examples of heritage breeds are Bourbon Red, Narragansett, Royal Palm, Standard Bronze, Midget White, Beltsville Small White, and White Holland.

The advantages of raising heritage breeds are:

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• They can reproduce naturally, which means you can hatch your own eggs and grow your own flock.
• They are more resistant to diseases and parasites than broad-breasted breeds.
• They are more active and curious than broad-breasted breeds, which makes them more entertaining to watch.
• They can fly over fences and roost in trees, which gives them more protection from predators.
• They have a longer lifespan than broad-breasted breeds, which means you can keep them as pets or breeders for longer.

The disadvantages of raising heritage breeds are:

• They grow slower than broad-breasted breeds, which means you have to wait longer for them to reach market weight.
• They require more space than broad-breasted breeds, which means you need a larger coop and run for them.
• They eat more than broad-breasted breeds, which means you have to spend more on feed for them.
• They are more vocal than broad-breasted breeds, which means they can be noisy and attract unwanted attention from neighbors or predators.
• They can be more aggressive than broad-breasted breeds, especially the males during breeding season.
• Broad-breasted breeds are the modern breeds of turkeys that have been developed by commercial producers for maximum meat production. They have larger breasts and legs than heritage breeds, which makes them more suitable for roasting and frying. The most common broad-breasted breed is the Broad-Breasted White12, which is the type of turkey you usually find in grocery stores.

The advantages of raising broad-breasted breeds are:

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• They grow faster than heritage breeds, which means you can harvest them sooner for meat.
• They require less space than heritage breeds, which means you can raise more of them in a smaller area.
• They eat less than heritage breeds, which means you can save money on feed for them.
• They are less vocal than heritage breeds, which means they are quieter and less noticeable.
• They are less aggressive than heritage breeds, especially the females.
• The disadvantages of raising broad-breasted breeds are:
• They cannot reproduce naturally, which means you have to buy new poults (baby turkeys) every year or use artificial insemination.
• They are more susceptible to diseases and parasites than heritage breeds.
• They are less active and curious than heritage breeds, which makes them less interesting to watch.
• They cannot fly over fences or roost in trees, which makes them more vulnerable to predators.
• They have a shorter lifespan than heritage breeds, which means you cannot keep them as pets or breeders for long.
• You can also raise a mix of both types of turkeys, if you want to enjoy the benefits of both worlds. However, you should keep them separate from each other, as they may not get along well or interbreed.

Housing Your Turkeys

The next step in raising turkeys on your homestead is to provide them with adequate housing. Turkeys need a sheltered place where they can sleep, lay eggs, and escape from bad weather or predators. You also need a fenced area where they can roam, forage, and exercise during the day.

There are different ways to house your turkeys, depending on your space, budget, and preference.

​Here are some options:

A large pen or small barn: This is a simple and effective way to house your turkeys. You can build a pen or barn with wood, metal, or plastic, and cover it with a roof and wire mesh. You can also add windows or vents for ventilation and lighting. You should provide your turkeys with nesting boxes, roosts, feeders, and waterers inside the pen or barn. You should also have a door that you can lock at night to keep your turkeys safe from predators. You can attach a run to the pen or barn, or let your turkeys free-range in a larger fenced area during the day.

A movable roost assembly: This is a more innovative and flexible way to house your turkeys. You can build a movable roost assembly with PVC pipes, wood, or metal, and attach wheels to it. You can also add a tarp or canvas for shade and protection. You should provide your turkeys with roosts, feeders, and waterers on the assembly. You can move the assembly around your property every day or every week, to give your turkeys fresh pasture and avoid overgrazing. You can also use electric netting or poultry wire to enclose your turkeys around the assembly, to keep them from wandering off or getting attacked by predators.

A chicken coop: This is a convenient and economical way to house your turkeys, if you already have a chicken coop on your homestead. You can use the same coop for both chickens and turkeys, as long as you have enough space and resources for both. You should provide your turkeys with separate nesting boxes, roosts, feeders, and waterers from your chickens, to avoid competition and contamination. You should also have a separate door for your turkeys, to let them out in the morning and lock them in at night. You can let your turkeys free-range with your chickens in a larger fenced area during the day, or keep them separate if you prefer.

No matter what type of housing you choose for your turkeys, you should follow these general guidelines:

• Provide at least 10 square feet of floor space per turkey inside the shelter, and at least 75 square feet of pasture space per turkey outside the shelter12.
• Keep the shelter clean, dry, and well-ventilated, to prevent diseases and parasites.
• Provide enough roosts for all your turkeys, at least 18 inches above the ground and 12 inches apart12.
• Provide enough nesting boxes for your hens, at least one box for every four hens12. The boxes should be dark, quiet, and comfortable, with bedding such as straw, hay, or wood shavings.
• Provide fresh water and feed for your turkeys at all times, in clean and accessible containers.
• Protect your turkeys from predators such as coyotes, foxes, raccoons, hawks, owls, dogs, cats, snakes, and rodents. Use sturdy fences, locks, electric wires, traps, alarms, or guard animals to deter or eliminate them.

Feeding Your Turkeys

The third step in raising turkeys on your homestead is to feed them properly. Turkeys need a balanced diet that provides them with enough protein, energy, vitamins, minerals, and water for their growth, health, and production. You can feed your turkeys with commercial feeds or homemade feeds, or a combination of both.

Commercial feeds are ready-made feeds that you can buy from feed stores or online. They are formulated to meet the nutritional needs of different types of turkeys at different stages of life. They are convenient and consistent, but they can also be expensive and unnatural.

Homemade feeds are feeds that you can make yourself from ingredients that you grow or buy locally. They are cheaper and more natural than commercial feeds, but they can also be inconsistent and inadequate.

If you choose to feed your turkeys with commercial feeds, you should follow these guidelines:

Choose the right type of feed for your turkeys’ age and purpose. There are three main types of commercial feeds for turkeys: starter feed, grower feed, and finisher feed.

• Starter feed is for poults from hatch to 8 weeks old. It has the highest protein content (28% to 30%) and the smallest pellet size (1/8 inch) to support their rapid growth and development.
• Grower feed is for young turkeys from 9 weeks to 16 weeks old. It has a lower protein content (20% to 22%) and a larger pellet size (3/16 inch) to support their moderate growth and feathering.
• Finisher feed is for mature turkeys from 17 weeks old until slaughter. It has the lowest protein content (16% to 18%) and the largest pellet size (1/4 inch) to support their final growth and fattening 

If you choose to feed your turkeys with homemade feeds, you should follow these guidelines:

• Use a variety of ingredients to provide a balanced diet for your turkeys. Some common ingredients are grains, seeds, legumes, vegetables, fruits, eggs, meat, fish, dairy, and supplements .
• Grind or mash the ingredients to make them easier for your turkeys to digest and absorb. You can use a blender, food processor, or hammer mill to do this.
• Mix the ingredients according to the nutritional needs of your turkeys at different stages of life. You can use online calculators or tables to help you with this .
• Store the homemade feeds in a cool, dry, and dark place, in airtight containers or bags. You should use them within a month or freeze them for longer storage.
• Monitor the weight and health of your turkeys regularly, and adjust the feed accordingly. You can use a scale, a tape measure, or a body condition score to do this .
• Whether you feed your turkeys with commercial feeds or homemade feeds, you should also provide them with some treats and supplements to enhance their diet and well-being. Some examples are:
• Fresh greens: You can give your turkeys fresh greens such as grass, clover, lettuce, spinach, kale, or cabbage. They provide vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber for your turkeys. They also help prevent boredom and pecking among your turkeys.
• Scratch grains: You can give your turkeys scratch grains such as corn, wheat, oats, barley, or millet. They provide energy and carbohydrates for your turkeys. They also stimulate their natural foraging behavior and keep them warm in cold weather.
• Grit: You can give your turkeys grit such as sand, gravel, or crushed oyster shells. They help your turkeys digest their food better by grinding it in their gizzards. They also provide calcium and phosphorus for your turkeys’ bones and eggshells.
• Apple cider vinegar: You can add apple cider vinegar to your turkeys’ water at a rate of 1 tablespoon per gallon of water . It helps lower the pH of their water and prevent bacterial growth. It also boosts their immune system and metabolism.
• Garlic: You can add garlic to your turkeys’ feed or water at a rate of 1 clove per 10 pounds of feed or 1 teaspoon of garlic powder per gallon of water . It helps repel insects and parasites from your turkeys. It also enhances their flavor and health.

Keeping Your Turkeys Healthy

The fourth step in raising turkeys on your homestead is to keep them healthy. Turkeys are generally hardy and resilient birds, but they can still get sick or injured from various causes. You should prevent, diagnose, and treat any health issues that may affect your turkeys, to ensure their welfare and productivity.

You can prevent most health issues by following these guidelines:

• Keep your turkeys’ housing clean, dry, and well-ventilated, to prevent diseases and parasites.
• Provide fresh water and feed for your turkeys at all times, in clean and accessible containers.
• Protect your turkeys from predators, pests, and extreme weather conditions, to prevent injuries and stress.
• Quarantine any new or sick turkeys from the rest of the flock, to prevent the spread of infections.
• Vaccinate your turkeys against common diseases such as fowl cholera, fowl pox, and avian influenza .
• Deworm your turkeys regularly with natural or chemical dewormers .
• Trim your turkeys’ beaks, nails, and spurs if they become too long or sharp .

You can diagnose most health issues by observing your turkeys’ behavior, appearance, and output. Some common signs of health issues are:

• Lethargy, depression, or isolation
• Loss of appetite or weight
• Droopy wings or tail
• Ruffled feathers or bald patches
• Swollen eyes or nostrils
• Discharge from eyes, nose, or mouth
• Sneezing, coughing, or wheezing
• Diarrhea, blood, or worms in droppings
• Lameness, limping, or paralysis
• Pale comb or wattles
• Lumps, scabs, or wounds on skin

You can treat most health issues by using natural or conventional remedies . Some common remedies are:

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• Isolate the sick turkey from the rest of the flock
• Provide clean water and electrolytes for hydration
• Provide soft food and probiotics for digestion
• Provide herbs and spices for immunity and healing
• Provide heat and light for comfort and recovery
• Apply antiseptic and bandage for wounds and infections
• Apply anti-inflammatory and painkiller for swelling and pain
• Apply antibiotic and antifungal for bacterial and fungal infections
• Apply antiparasitic and insecticide for parasites and insects

However, some health issues may be too severe or complex to treat at home. In such cases, you should consult a veterinarian or an expert for advice and assistance. You should also euthanize any turkey that is suffering from an incurable or contagious disease, to end its misery and protect the rest of the flock.

Processing Your Turkeys for Meat

The final step in raising turkeys on your homestead is to process them for meat. Turkeys are delicious and nutritious birds that can provide you with a lot of meat for your family or customers. However, processing turkeys is not an easy or pleasant task. You should prepare yourself mentally and physically for it, and follow the proper steps to do it humanely and safely.

​You can process your turkeys by following these steps:

1. Choose the right time to process your turkeys. You should process your turkeys when they reach their market weight, which is usually between 16 to 24 weeks old for heritage breeds, and between 12 to 18 weeks old for broad-breasted breeds . You should also process your turkeys in the morning, when they are calm and have an empty crop.
2. Gather the necessary equipment and materials. You will need a sharp knife, a cutting board, a large pot of boiling water, a plucker or a pair of gloves, a bucket of cold water, a cooler with ice, a scale, a bag or a container, a label, and a freezer .
3. Catch and kill your turkey. You should catch your turkey gently but firmly by its legs, and carry it upside down to the killing area. You should then hang your turkey by its feet from a hook or a rope, and calm it down by stroking its head or covering its eyes. You should then cut its throat with one swift and deep stroke, severing the jugular vein and the carotid artery. You should let the blood drain out completely, until the turkey stops moving .
4. Scald and pluck your turkey. You should dip your turkey in the pot of boiling water for about 30 seconds, until the feathers are loose. You should then pluck your turkey by hand or by machine, removing all the feathers from the body. You should also remove any pin feathers or quills with tweezers or pliers .
5. Eviscerate and clean your turkey. You should cut off the head, neck, feet, and wings of your turkey with a knife or scissors. You should then make a small incision at the vent of your turkey, and carefully pull out the intestines, gizzard, liver, heart, lungs, spleen, kidneys, crop, esophagus, trachea, and testicles or ovaries. You should save any edible organs you want to keep, such as the gizzard, liver, heart, and neck. You should then rinse your turkey inside and out with cold water .
6. Chill and store your turkey. You should immerse your turkey in the bucket of cold water for about an hour, to lower its temperature and prevent bacterial growth. You should then drain your turkey, and pat it dry with paper towels. You should then weigh your turkey, and put it in a bag or a container. You should then label your turkey with its weight, date, and name. You should then put your turkey in the cooler with ice, and refrigerate it for up to three days, or freeze it for up to six months .

Conclusion

Raising turkeys on your homestead can be a fun and rewarding experience, as well as a profitable one. However, turkeys are not the same as chickens, and they require some special care and attention. You should follow the steps outlined in this article, to raise healthy and happy turkeys on your homestead. You should also do more research and learn from other homesteaders who raise turkeys, to improve your skills and knowledge. We hope you enjoyed this article, and we wish you all the best on your journey to grow and source your food for your family!