Purchasing turkey poults to raise for meat was an exciting decision for our family. This was something we had never done on our homestead before and an animal I had no experience with. We have raised and butchered our own chickens for some time now but I was ready to step it up to put more meat in our freezer. While this experience came with its own challenges the rewards in the end were worth it for my family to have homegrown meat all year long.
In the beginning the idea of raising turkey poults was so daunting. I felt a tinge of anxiety due to the information I had originally gathered. Through my research—something I highly recommend before integrating any new animals into your homestead—I discovered that while turkey poults are larger than baby chicks, they tend to be quite delicate. Insights indicated that turkeys are more vulnerable to cold temperatures and respiratory infections compared to their chicken counterparts. Nevertheless, I was ready to take this on and make it work for my family.
Purchasing your turkey poults: Things to consider
After the final “lets do this” decision, I had yet another choice to make. Where was I going to purchase my turkey poults from. I could wait and go to the farm stores local to me and just buy what they had in stock or I could purchase them online and have a choice in what I’m purchasing. There are many choices online when it comes to ordering live birds. Choosing the right hatchery for your needs is a crucial step in your poultry journey. It’s important to keep in mind that different hatcheries come with their own unique guidelines and offer a selection of various breeds. This variety in options can significantly impact your decision-making process.
By taking the time to explore what each hatchery has to provide, you can broaden your understanding and make more informed choices. Familiarizing yourself with the available breeds and their specifications will empower you to select the most suitable options for your needs. Ensuring that you make the best choice is essential for a successful start in your poultry venture, so don’t underestimate the value of thorough research into each hatchery’s offerings.
Having placed numerous orders with McMurray Hatchery, I can confidently say that my experiences have always been smooth and trouble-free. This trusted source is my go-to for ordering birds. However I have heard great things about these hatcheries as well:
https://www.cacklehatchery.com
https://www.hoovershatchery.com
In order to meet the necessary shipping regulations the hatchery requires a minimum number of birds to guarantee the birds’ safety during transit. Ordering a certain number of birds will ensure they are comfortably warm throughout the journey, relying on their body heat. Each hatchery will have their own requirements depending on what type you purchase. For example the minimum order of turkey poults at the time was 15.
Selecting the best breed for your homestead
When it comes to selecting turkeys for your farm, a variety of types exist to cater to your specific needs and preferences. Poultry enthusiasts and farmers alike can choose from numerous breeds, each offering unique characteristics that can enhance your agricultural endeavors. Whether you’re focused on meat production, egg-laying potential, or even ornamental purposes, understanding the various turkey breeds available is essential for making an informed decision. By carefully considering what you desire from your turkey operation, you can find the perfect fit for your farm, ensuring that your poultry experience is both rewarding and successful.
Broad-breasted turkeys have been selectively bred to grow rapidly and reach impressive sizes, particularly focusing on enhancing breast meat, which is the most sought-after cut for culinary purposes. Their accelerated growth rates prevent them from flying and hinder their ability to reproduce effectively due to their large size. As my goal was to cultivate meat specifically for butchering to provide nourishing, homegrown options for my family, this particular breed was the clear choice for my needs.
There are two types of broad-breasted turkeys: White and Bronze. Not having any prior preferences, I thought it would be interesting to try both varieties. The white broad-breasted turkeys are considered traditional choices for the dinner table. With their striking white feathers, they present an appealing appearance, and their flavor is mild yet enjoyable. In contrast, the bronze turkeys exhibit a beautiful mix of dark chocolate-brown feathers, and their taste is richer, offering a gamier experience. When it comes time to prepare your turkey, you might notice the pin feathers visible on the skin, which can be a reminder of the bird’s unique characteristics. Overall, this blend of varieties allows for a delightful culinary experience, showcasing the different flavors and textures that both types of turkey provide.
Picking up your turkey poults and creating their new home
When you place an order with a hatchery, they typically inform you of a delivery window spanning a week. However, an exact arrival date is not provided. So…. I took the whole week off work because I was determined to succeed and wasn’t going to take any chances. 😂 This allowed me to set up a welcoming brooder and remain on standby in case the post office contacted me regarding my soon-to-arrive feathered companions.
Setting up a brooder for your new turkey poults involves several essential elements. First, choose appropriate bedding; pine shavings work wonderfully as they are both easy to clean and comfortable for the poults. Next, provide a reliable heat source. You might opt for a heat lamp or a heat plate, but it is crucial to maintain a temperature range of 96 to 98 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the brooder reaches this temperature before introducing your poults. (The get older they get the less they will need it.)You should also have a container for water and a supply of feed readily available to meet their needs.
Upon collecting your chicks or poults from the post office, it becomes essential to conduct a thorough inspection immediately. Checking for any losses right away enables you to swiftly reach out to the hatchery for possible refunds. Waiting until you return home or delaying the inspection can jeopardize your chances of reimbursement for any deceased birds, as the hatchery might deny claims made later. So when I received the call and arrived at the post office I eagerly opened the chirping little box and felt a wave of relief come over me when I found all of my little ones happy and alive.
I carefully placed them in the back seat of my car, I even considered securing them with a seat belt. I didn’t, but imagine the chaos if that box were to tip over, releasing a dozen curious baby turkeys into my car! While it would be an adorable and hilarious sight, it would also be quite a challenging situation to manage.
Since I set up my brooder ahead of time, all I had to do was get their water ready. I do this last so it’s as fresh as possible and I also like to add electrolytes to it. The hatcheries will ask you if you want it as apart of your order or you can buy it at any feed store. They come in single use packets. Unloading the turkey poults, take the time to take a closer look at each one to make sure they are in good health then dip their beaks in the electrolyte solution and place them their new home.
Care tips
As the days go on make sure to check each one individually and pay close attention to their bum. Sometimes they will get a pasty bum and you want to make sure you keep it clean. You can do this by just taking a warm wash cloth and gently rubbing their behind. This is something that can slowly kill them as their feces will harden over their vents and they won’t be able to poo.
Behavior insights
These creatures are quite vocal, always engaging with their surroundings, playful in nature, and they have a particular fascination with shiny objects. I like to watch them interact with each other and it’s quite facinating how quickly they grow. When it comes to finding a place to settle for the night, turkeys instinctively seek the highest vantage point available. As sunset approached, I often watched them choosing to perch atop their covered coop rather than inside it, demonstrating their preference for elevation.
Turning your flock into food
On butcher day, we gathered a group of friends to lend a hand. The experience differed greatly from processing chickens, primarily due to the sheer size of the turkeys we were working with. Weighing in at 20 to 25 pounds each, these birds posed a unique challenge. Unfortunately, our plucking machine was ill-equipped to handle their size, compelling us to resort to the old “fashioned way”. Hand plucking is very labor-intensive and time consuming but it works. Catching the lively turkeys was quite strenuous. Then handling the heavy carcasses after added an extra layer of difficulty. I’m sure it was quite a show watching my 4″11 self catching these giant birds. However I was bound determined to be apart of the whole process.
The most time consuming aspect of butchering in my opinion, involves the careful process of preserving the meat while ensuring safety throughout. Following the slaughter, we allowed the turkey carcasses to rest in a cooler for two days, which enabled rigor mortis to pass before we proceeded with packaging. We made the choice to keep several birds whole for freezing, while others were parted out or ground down into turkey burger. This allowed us to have a versatile option in our kitchen, as I prefer to use turkey burger in various recipes as an alternative to traditional ground beef. Navigating the different cuts of meat has been a valuable learning experience, especially since we now have homegrown turkey breasts, wings and legs stored in our freezer. The process of cutting and grinding the meat into burger was undeniably time-consuming but incredibly rewarding.
Reflecting on the entire experience, I can confidently say it was a fulfilling endeavor that I would gladly repeat. The meat from these turkeys proved to be sufficient for our family’s needs throughout the year. In fact, we even used one turkey for our Thanksgiving feast this year and still have another left in reserve! If your on the bench about raising turkeys and are able to, just go for it! You won’t be dissappointed.