Turkeys are strong intelligent birds that can provide meat and even rich, oversized eggs.  While they share some similarities with chickens, turkeys have different space, feeding, and health requirements that every beginner should understand before bringing one home. Here’s what you need to know about housing, feeding, egg production, and keeping your birds healthy.

Housing

Turkeys have lifestyles that are similar to chickens but because they are bigger they will need more space.  And this “more space” is needed early in life, turkey poults are highly susceptible to respiratory illnesses and dampness, even more so than chicks, so having enough space to allow for adequate ventilation is critical.  When they are big enough to go outside, they thrive on outdoor space and will really benefit from having access to a run or pasture at all times.  If you are raising for meat and plan to harvest them at 28 weeks, you won’t need more that 4 to 5 square feet per bird, but if you are planning on keeping them longer, the more space the better.

Since turkeys are hardy birds, they can do well outside in all kinds of weather, however, they will still need a protected indoor space, especially at night.  They are relatively slow movers and highly susceptible to predators.  The larger, heavier birds require more space, wider doors, less steeply incline entrance ramps and lower perches than chickens.  Domestic turkeys are too heavy to fly and can injure their legs trying to jump off of a high perch.

Feeding

Turkeys need more feed than chickens simply because they are bigger.  They also need a higher proportion of protein in their feed because they are being raised to pack on the pounds, not lay lots of eggs.  A good baseline is a 28% protein content for their food, however, even with this higher protein content, be prepared for turkeys to eat a lot.  A male turkey will eat about a pound of food every day and females up to a half a pound daily.  Did you know that chickens will bully the turkeys out of their fair share of the feed.

Egg Production

Turkeys do lay eggs but they definitely do not lay like chickens.  The turkey community focused on maximizing meat production and flavor rather than egg production.  Therefore, raising turkeys solely for eggs just isn’t a viable plan, they don’t lay enough, only about two eggs per week.  However, eggs are about one and a half times the size of chicken eggs and can be a delightful side benefit to your turkey flock.  If you decide to keep both male and female turkeys, you can also sell any eggs you collect as fertilized or hatch them yourself to continue to grow your flock.

Keeping Healthy Birds

Keeping domesticated turkeys healthy in Ohio requires secure, dry housing to manage wet, cold winters, protecting them from predators and diseases.  Maintain health with clean bedding, high-protein feed, and regular parasite checks.  Monitor for lice and mites, using materials like diatomaceous earth in dust baths.

PHOTOS courtesy of:

Bender Farm’s male turkey. Junior.

Murphy Hay Farm’s female turkey, Little Girl, and her siblings.