The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: The Lint Mill on January 17, 2013, 10:56:38 pm

Title: Turkey Advice
Post by: The Lint Mill on January 17, 2013, 10:56:38 pm
So to ensure we get a good weight at D Day when is the best time to start turkeys for xmas 2013?

Also does anyone know breeders in central Scotland where we could get day olds or young stock at the time

Thanks
Title: Re: Turkey Advice
Post by: Simon O on January 18, 2013, 08:08:25 am
The central scotland smallholders assoc does a hatch around the start of July and the turkeys reach up to 20+lb. Andrew Sharpe who is on here keeps the incubator and will usually be asking before that who wants some so he can hatch the appropriate number. This of course is if you are only wanting small numbers - if a bigger number then a more commercial supplier. I think there is someone in the clyde valley who supplies young turkeys ??overton farm
Title: Re: Turkey Advice
Post by: Andrew on January 18, 2013, 08:39:47 am
As Simon has said, we shall be hatching Turkeys around end of June or beginning of July. Usually hatch both whites and bronzes. I shall let you know nearer the time.
Title: Re: Turkey Advice
Post by: The Lint Mill on January 20, 2013, 07:18:35 am
Many thanks, we are looking at getting six this year.

Best Wishes
Title: Re: Turkey Advice
Post by: Tudful Tamworths on January 20, 2013, 04:03:39 pm
Depends what you want to raise and to what weight. I buy in bronze poults at a day old - normally end of July to mid-August. I've found they take about 22 weeks to reach  a good weight (between 12-16lb). However, there are heavier strains available which will get to 18lb+ in that time. Bog-standard white birds will normally reach the same weights in half the time.
Title: Re: Turkey Advice
Post by: manian on January 20, 2013, 05:41:25 pm
It will depend on the breed of turkey and what weights you get. remember you have early poults. they may end up reaching   its weight in october and having to feed it another 2 months (unless you want thanksgiving)
the boys will be the heavy weights the girls lighter
Mx
Title: Re: Turkey Advice
Post by: artscott on January 20, 2013, 11:14:21 pm
We brought two 8 week old standard white hybrid poults, first week of October.  Kept free range, with growers pellets ad-lib. 
They dressed out the weekend before Christmas at 5.2Kg and 7.3Kg