Keeping Turkey: What You Actually Need to Know
Turkey is a moderate choice to keep, known for being docile but can be flighty when young (kept typically one season for meat).
Before committing to turkey, it's worth understanding what day-to-day life with them actually looks like — here's the expanded version of our guide.
More room than chickens
Turkeys grow considerably larger than chickens and need proportionally more space in both shelter and run to stay healthy and avoid injury from crowding.
Housing and Setup
Shelter — sturdy, weatherproof shelter with roosts strong enough for a large bird. Fencing — secure, taller fencing — turkeys can fly reasonably well when young. Bedding — deep litter, changed regularly.
Everyday Care
Worth paying attention to:
- Feed a turkey-specific grower ration — chicken feed alone isn't sufficiently high in protein.
- Provide ample space to reduce pecking and injury.
- Keep young poults warm and dry — they're more delicate than chicks.
- Plan processing timing around a target date (e.g. a specific occasion).
Keeping Them Healthy
Keep these points in mind:
- Blackhead disease — a serious parasite risk, especially if housed with or after chickens; avoid shared ground.
- Cold/wet sensitivity in poults — keep young birds warm and dry.
- Predator loss — secure housing overnight.
- Injury from crowding — ensure adequate space as birds grow large.
Production and Harvest
Processing age: 16–24 weeks depending on breed and target size. Yield — often 5–10kg dressed weight depending on breed and sex. Method — on-farm or licensed processor, as with meat chickens. Storage — fresh in the fridge a few days; freezes very well for months.
For the quick-reference printable version of everything above, see the main turkey guide page.