Raising turkeys can be a rewarding and relatively straightforward addition to your homestead – especially if you already have experience with chickens. While the basics are similar, turkeys come with their own unique needs, personalities, and challenges. With the right setup and care, they can provide flavorful meat, beautiful birds, and even a steady (though seasonal) supply of eggs. 

Getting Started: Turkeys vs. Chickens

Like chickens, turkeys require quality feed, fresh water, secure housing, clean bedding, roosting space, and nesting areas. However, because turkeys are significantly larger, they need more of everything – more feed, more water, and more room to roam. 

Turkeys typically take 16-22 weeks to reach market size, with an average of about 18 weeks. Heritage breeds take longer, maturing closer to 7 months, but offer other benefits like natural reproduction and longevity. 

Pros and Cons of Raising Turkeys

Pros

• Docile, intelligent, and often very personable
• Cleaner than chickens, with less scratching and more centralized waste areas
• Delicious, high-quality meat
• Generally gentle in temperament

Cons

• Poults (baby turkeys) are delicate and sensitive to environmental changes
• Slower moving, making them more vulnerable to predators
• Require significantly more space
• Consume more feed and need higher protein diets

Brooding and Early Care

Turkey poults require attentive care in their early weeks:

• Space: start with about 1.5 sqft per poult in the brooder
• Bedding: Pine shavings are ideal for absorbing moisture and minimizing dust
• Temperature: Begin at 95°F the first week, decreasing by 5°F each week
• Transition outdoors: At 6-8 weeks, once fully feathered

A helpful tip: gently dip each poult’s beak into water when placing them in the brooder so they learn where to drink. Using red feeders and waterers – or even adding a small piece of foil – can attract their attention and encourage eating and drinking. 

Feeding Requirements

Turkeys grow quickly and require a substantial amount of feed:

• Adult Males: 0.75-1.5lb per day
• Adult Females: 0.5-0.8lb per day
• Total feed: Around 75-80lbs of feed to raise a 38lb turkey

High-protein feed is especially important during growth phases to support healthy development. 

Choosing the Right Breed

Your goals will determine the best turkey breed for your homestead:

For Meat Production

• Broad Breasted White
• Broad Breasted Bronze
  • These birds grow rapidly and can reach 30-50 lbs in just 3-5 months

For Heritage and Sustainability

Heritage breeds are ideal for smaller farms and long-term flock management. They:

• Reproduce naturally
• Are more active and hardy
• Mature more slowly (around 7 months)

Popular heritage breeds include: 

• Blue Slate (blue-gray plumage)
• Royal Palm (black and white pattern)
• Narragansett (hardy and adaptable)
• White Holland (classic white)
• Bourbon Red (calm and homestead-friendly)

Heritage hens can lay eggs consistently for 5-7 years, though not year-round. 

Housing and Space Requirements

Turkeys need increasing space as they grow:

• 0-4 weeks: 1.5sqft per bird
• 4-8 weeks: 3-4 sqft
• 8-12 weeks: 5-8sqft
• 12+ weeks: 10+ sqft (more for broad breasted varieties)

Key Housing Features

• Roosting space: 12-16 inches per bird
• Roost bar: use 2x4s with the wide side up
• Height: 2-3 feet off the ground, with tiered options to prevent injury
• Nesting Boxes: about 2ft x 2ft with soft bedding

Even though some believe broad breasted turkeys don’t need roosts, providing low, sturdy roosts helps prevent injury and supports natural behavior. 

Turkeys can fly surprisingly well – often higher that 5-6 feet – so a covered run or netting is recommended to prevent escape and protect from predators. Reinforcing the base of your coop is also essential, as many predators will dig underneath. 

Health Considerations: Blackhead Disease

One of the biggest concerns when raising turkeys alongside chickens is blackhead disease. The disease is caused by a protozoa spread through contaminated droppings, soil, or infected organisms like earthworms. 

Signs of Blackhead Disease

• Lethargy and drooping wings
• Ruffled Feathers
• Yellow droppings

Unfortunately, there are no effective treatments or vaccines, and the disease can progress rapidly, often proving fatal. 

Prevention Tips

• Avoid raising turkeys and chickens together
• Practice strict sanitation
• Rotate pasture when possible

Key Differences Between Turkeys and Chickens

• Turkeys lay eggs seasonally (March-June/July)
• Incubation period is 28 days vs 21 days for chickens
• Turkeys are highly social and prefer group living
• They often need guidance returning to the coop at night
• Heritage turkeys reach slaughter size in about 6 months

Biosecurity: Protecting your Flock

Strong biosecurity practices are essential: 

• Quarantine new birds for at least 2 weeks
• Separate birds by age groups
• Limit visitors, especially from other farms
• Avoid sharing equipment between flocks
• Keep boots and tools clean and free of manure

These simple practices go a long way in preventing disease and maintaining a healthy herd. 

Turkeys are a valuable and enjoyable addition to any homestead. While they require a bit more space, feed, and attention – especially early on – the payoff is well worth it. Whether you’re raising them for meat, eggs, or simply the joy of watching them roam, a well-managed turkey flock can thrive and become an integral part of your operation. 

With proper planning, good biosecurity, and a little patience, you’ll find that raising turkeys is not only manageable – but deeply rewarding.