Raising turkeys is a terrific way to have fresh meat all year. The taste is superior to store-bought turkeys produced normally. You may also control what goes into their diet, which provides many people peace of mind.
Native Americans relied on turkeys for food. The pilgrims and Spanish Conquistadors first saw turkeys in the 15th century, thanks to Native Americans. Turkeys were popular as garden animals in the mid-16th century.
Turkeys are the second biggest wild bird in North America and the largest member of the grouse family. The plumage and size of Toms and hens may be used to sexually identify most turkey species. The male turkey, Tom, is chosen for optimum sex appeal, whilst the hens are chosen to forage for food and avoid predators in their area. Males are frequently bigger than females, and hens make excellent moms.
Turkeys are quite simple to raise. They, like brooding chicks, require a warm, dry brooding chamber with a temperature of 95 degrees throughout their first week of existence. Reduce the temperature by 5 degrees each week until the chicken is fully feathered, which takes around 6 weeks. They can go out to graze as long as the outdoor temperature is at least 75 degrees and the weather is dry.
Ensure that your birds have access to fresh water at all times. You can employ equipment like poultry fountains and automated waterers. A game bird starter of 24 percent or greater, or a turkey starter, is required for turkeys. This may be obtained from a feed shop near you. The right nutrition for your turkey will help it reach its greatest potential. Greens can be used as a treat in the diet.
When working with turkeys, it’s important to stay healthy. It’s crucial not to keep them with chickens since they might catch infections from the chickens, such as Blackheads Disease. Always offer hygienic housing, clean pasture, and fresh food for your turkeys to reduce their risks of being unwell. Make sure your birds aren’t overcrowded and check for mites and lice on a weekly basis.
Turkeys prefer to be in groups and flourish in them. If you’re going to have them out in the open, it’s a good idea to cut their wings. Rain, wind, hail, sleet, and snow should all be protected from the birds with shelter. For housing or shelter, a simple sheet covering the roosting space, or a real barn stall or small structure, will suffice.
For Thanksgiving dinner, many homesteaders grow turkeys. To support your bird’s growth, it’s critical to provide them with the right food. Slower development and nutritional inadequacies will occur from inadequate diets. For healthy turkeys, a high-protein diet is essential. If you’re intending on having a turkey for supper, the homesteader’s technique of fattening up a turkey is to feed it its regular diet plus oats and cracked corn as a free option.