Gobble? Yea or Na?

[skent]

We have been growing our own meat since 96. Pigs (usually bought as pigletts from a friend who breeds them), Steers from the local dairy farmers (as bull calves) since thay only want heffers (neighbor breeds Holstein heffers with Angus bull for smaller calf-easy first birth), and chicks from CT Farm. The question came up during easter as to why we didn't raise our own turkeys for Thanksgiving. I couldn't answer that. Not knowing about TBN when I got into all the other animals, figured I'd look for some experts on the subject on Turkeys here first. Any problems you guys have with turkeys? We have chickens for meat and eggs, how different do turkeys act? Can they be kept together?

Steve

 

[fishman]

Skent,

In my very limited experience, tame turkeys are perhaps the dumbest barnyard animal available. The biggest problem is keeping them from drowning as young'ins or dying of exposure because they won't move into the shade/heat. They are way cool when they grow up though. Don't know about interaction between turkeys and chickens.

 

[scruffy]

I have seen hundreds of turkeys kept 'penned' in a simple inclosure made of a single strand of wire strung 9 to 12 inches off the ground. Smart? Nope. Like previously mentioned, they will stand in the rain looking up, and eventually drown themselves by the water running into their nostrels. They are easily 'herded' and can and must be tended for their own well being. At adult stage, they can become quite adept at self sufficiency.
A side thought would be to purchase the eggs from a breeder of one of the wild species, raising a brood stock and releasing into the 'wild' on your property. I know a few who have done this, and have kept a feeding station or two with a regular feed cycle to supplement their staples. Also allows for easy harvest at the proper time of year, as well as a good private hunting stock. Keep in mind not to shoot around your feeding stations, but to trap in cages nearby. (don't want to ruin that feed station!)
Good Luck!