We keep turkeys from June until December. We buy them as 5 week old poults and raise them for Christmas. They are so ugly that they are actually beautiful. They are friendly and easy going birds who need to be raised in a group.
This is Terence. We hatched him from a batch of ten eggs and unfortunately he was the only one that hatched. He is an American wild turkey and the most beautiful bird. He regarded us as his parents and followed us everywhere. He has gone to a breeder of bronze turkeys and strutting his stuff very handsomely.
This is the size of the white turkeys when we buy them. They grow to be 14-16 kg when adult so it is important to allow them plenty of space. They will free-range on the field as they love grass and wild flowers.
This is the same birds at 3 months. As you can see they grow very fast. Once they have reached the weight we want them to be we change the growers food for wheat. This sustains them well but doesn't add too much weight.
They enjoy the sun but need some shade which we provide under the hoops.
