Rural Gardening: Question about Turkeys, 1 by LoraK

LoraK wrote:
No problem about all the ?'s, I asked more than my share! It was a huge learning process for me!
Only feed the turkey starter to the turkeys for one week only, so brood turks and other fowl seperately for 7 days. Make sure they are eating I was told to! You should be able to buy small amounts instead of a 50lb bag
I was raising guineas keets who need a much higher protein content so everyone, turks, guez, silver sebrights, silkies and marans ate the same. Everyone did quite well, I have nice plump chickens and still plenty of eggs everyday! Some people are more aware of the cost per pound/egg, I am happy when my poultry, friends and family are so paying the extra buck a bag doesn't bother me. So turk starter for one week, then gamebird crumbles or turk grower and if you want extra fat "fat and finish" for the last couple of weeks, also they had cracked corn after all the green grass/plants were gone this fall
I am getting atleast two more than I need and I am making there date for dressing with the processors when I get them, if you aren't dressing your own make your appointment ASAP so you can have then when you want. I recommend the weekend before TG.
Mine were in my house for about 2 1/2 wks, then out in their house with a heat lamp in a small enclosed area. Then in a 5x5 with the lamp on at night only, then when it was warm enough I took away the light and let them have access to the whole house and they free ranged at about 7/8 wks old.
All my poultry lives or lived together and free ranged together too. Turks are supposed to come down with chicken illness or something like that. I think as long as they free range all day and have a clean well vented house they are fine.
Just make sure you don't free range the hens and toms near the "end" like I said