Chook Me!

Rasing baby turkeys (poults)? Is it the same as baby chicks?

I have raised 7 Black Austrolorp chicks, they are almost full grown know. And I am thinking of getting two or three turkeys. But I have some questions about it. The Poultry supply store that has them has two different types. There are whites and browns. Its not very specific, but I want the brown ones. 1. Can you keep just one, two, or three? 2. How long until they are full grown? 3. Do you keep them in the same type of brooder as chicks? 4. Do they need a heat lamp? 5. Would two or three turkeys get along with seven chickens? Its ok as long as they dont kill each other. 6. Are there any tips about raising turkey poults? Thanks, I will pick a best answer.

Public Comments

1. The basic care of turkeys is the same. However they are more susceptible to disease. I would give it alot of thought before getting turkeys.
2. I raised 2 turkey chicks last year with my hens and ducks. I kept them in a pen indoors with a heat lamp for 2 weeks, they were around 3 weeks old when I got them. Once they were feathered they went up with the hens/ducks in the big pen with a communal shed. They love to eat grass, you must have grass for them to live on. They needs starter crumb then turkey grower food, they do get a little aggressive towards the hens (well the c()ck turkey did, tried to mate with one, nearly killed her). To be honest we had ours at the end of August and slaughtered them for Christmas (19 Dec) that was long enough they were well grown, around 16 lb in weight at 4 and a half months old, fully free range. I went with them to watch the process, first time for me, I'm glad I did, they didn't suffer at all. They aren't as daft as they look and are quite adorable really, go for it if you have the room.