Turkey info needed....

[msflocks]

Ssssh dont tell aunty Jackie, but, I was wondering about raising turkeys, I'm not about to go collect them 2moro, but if I had a bit more space I could picture it!
how much does it cost to raise a 6 month old for the table?
are they easy as chickens to keep?
Can you keep them on allotments that allow chickens?

anything would be helpful
ZF x

PS the picture is of my latest additions the pekin Bantams Troy, Gabriella and Sharpay!

[Hilary B]

I never worked out the cost of rearing turkeys, but I rather think it costs a bit more than buying a Concentration camp ready-too-cook, and a good deal less than buying a proper out-door reared one.
Care is pretty much like chooks, but for such totally stupid creatures they have some really ingenious ways of killing themselves off.
Dunno about the allotment aspects, but only adult male turkeys are particularly noisy (if you rear for Christmas, they will start 'gobbling' about the beginning of November, but it isn't as loud as a cockerel).
Occasionally a turkey will get aggressive, and they are big enough for it to MATTER!

[walldanzig]

Also very interested in this one as stated in other threads we own the local butchers and Turkeys are becoming expensive.

[Emmylou]

Dont mention the C word in front of them or they will drop down dead! (Xmas..sshhhhh)
Better ask lottie committee.

[Glutton4...]

I was told by a Turkey Farmer that they will all run into one corner and crush each other to death if frightened. Not allowed to use torches or vehicle headlights at night coz that would set them off!

I took a pic of the ugliest Turkey I've ever seen the other day, will pop it on here in a mo when I've re-sized it - It'll put you off, honest!

[Glutton4...]

UUUuuuuuugly!

OK, I warned you!

If I was a Turkey I don't think I'd fancy it - looks like sommat out of Dr Who! LOL

[Hilary B]

OK, I warned you!

If I was a Turkey I don't think I'd fancy it - looks like sommat out of Dr Who! LOL

Pity about the damaged tail feathers, but otherwise, he's just what a lady turkey would fancy! (and a Norfolk Black I do believe, the sort I kept for a while).
Turkey stags believe in treating their women rough. Have to say that the evidence suggests the ladies like it that way....
Important detail for anyone who is thnking of rearing turkeys for Christmas. Once the male turkeys start showing more red on their heads, keep them apart from any hens that are for eating. If one of them starts getting 'ideas' he can damage the hen, not badly (usually) but enough to make her unsaleable for meat.

[Glutton4...]

Pity about the damaged tail feathers, but otherwise, he's just what a lady turkey would fancy! (and a Norfolk Black I do believe, the sort I kept for a while).
Turkey stags believe in treating their women rough. Have to say that the evidence suggests the ladies like it that way...

Well, each to his (or her) own I guess We saw him while on holiday in Suffolk a couple of weeks ago. It was just outside Bawdsey Radar Museum, if anyone gets the urge! He had two ladies with him, and he was hissing and spitting at them in a very impolite manner, whilst shaking his feathers furiously. They were so totally unimpressed that they just turned their backs and walked away from him!

[msflocks]

jeees!!! well thank you all very much for the replies, and yes, this year I will be saving up for a proper outdoory happy (if they can be, being that ugly) turkey!!!
didnt expect them to be any good towards kids, but I do like projects and thought that may have been an idea, not sure tho now! all good info. I love that my bantam trio are very easy and have not been scared by helicopters and seaguls etc. not sure I could be away from the turkeys wondering if they have had a heart attack, thrown themselves off a cliff or s@£^^%d each other senseless!!!

[RichmondHens]

Good to read all this as I had too been considering getting turkeys. Not to breed though, just to fatten up for Xmas, so my plan was to just get some young poults (2 or 3) and fatten up, then dispatch all at once, have one fresh for Xmas Day and the others in the freezer.

[msflocks]

sounds ideal Richmondhens, exactly what id want to do, but maybe will have to find someone local and do lots of swaps instead!!!

[Glutton4...]

Good to read all this as I had too been considering getting turkeys. Not to breed though, just to fatten up for Xmas, so my plan was to just get some young poults (2 or 3) and fatten up, then dispatch all at once, have one fresh for Xmas Day and the others in the freezer.

Sounds good to me too. I posted about this earlier in the year, and was advised they could be kept with chooks. Unfortunately, my Dad said he wouldn't 'do the deed' and that I would have to do it myself, so until I can find someone locally that is prepared to do it, my plans are on hold, albeit temporarily.

[Hilary B]

Sounds good to me too. I posted about this earlier in the year, and was advised they could be kept with chooks. Unfortunately, my Dad said he wouldn't 'do the deed' and that I would have to do it myself, so until I can find someone locally that is prepared to do it, my plans are on hold, albeit temporarily.

You are just too far away!