Raising Midget White Turkeys

Raising Midget White Turkeys

Raising Midget White Turkeys

Raising Midget White turkeys—a true heritage, small-statured turkey breed—is an excellent choice for small farms, homesteads, or backyard poultry keepers with limited space. Developed in the 1960s by Dr. J. Donald Buss at the University of Massachusetts, Midget Whites retain natural behaviors like foraging, mating, and broodiness, unlike commercial breeds such as the Broad Breasted White.

🦃 Breed Overview

• Size:

  • Toms: 13–16 lbs

  • Hens: 8–10 lbs

• Lifespan: 5–9 years (longer than commercial breeds)

• Temperament: Calm, friendly, curious, and adaptable

• Egg production: 40–60 eggs/year (light tan, medium-sized)

• Broodiness: Hens frequently go broody and make excellent mothers

• Status: Rare heritage breed (listed by The Livestock Conservancy as “Watch”)

✅ Key advantage: Full natural reproduction—no artificial insemination needed!

🏚️ 1. Brooding (0–8 Weeks)

Start poults right to ensure strong development.

• Temperature:

  • Week 1: 95°F

  • Reduce by 5°F weekly until fully feathered (~6–8 weeks)

• Space: Start with 1 sq ft/poult; increase as they grow

• Bedding: Pine shavings (avoid cedar or slippery surfaces)

• Feed: 28% protein turkey starter (never medicated chick starter)

• Water: Shallow drinkers to prevent drowning; add electrolytes or niacin (100 mg/gal) for leg health

• Draft-free: Keep brooder area clean, dry, and protected

💡 Tip: Midget Whites are hardy but still vulnerable as poults—watch for pasty butt and chilling.

🏡 2. Housing & Space Needs

Their smaller size means they need less space—but still require quality shelter.

• Coop:

  • Indoors: 4–6 sq ft per bird

  • Roosts: Provide low roosts (12–24” high)—they like to perch but aren’t heavy

• Outdoor run:

  • 15–25 sq ft per bird minimum

  • Secure fencing (they can fly short distances—clip one wing or add netting if needed)

• Nesting boxes: 12”x12”x12” for hens; place in quiet, dark corners

🌿 Bonus: They thrive in mixed flocks but may be bullied by aggressive chickens—introduce carefully.

🌾 3. Feeding & Nutrition

Feed for health, not rapid growth.

• 0–8 weeks: 28% turkey starter

• 8–20 weeks: 20–22% grower feed

• Adults: 16–18% layer or maintenance feed

• Free-ranging: Excellent foragers! They eat insects, seeds, greens, and fallen fruit

• Supplements:

  • Grit (if foraging)

  • Oyster shell (for laying hens)

  • Niacin (especially in early weeks to prevent leg issues)

⚠️ Never feed medicated feed—it’s toxic to turkeys.

🐔 4. Breeding & Reproduction

One of the Midget White’s greatest strengths!

• Breeding ratio: 1 tom to 4–6 hens

• Mating: Natural, active, and reliable

• Egg laying: Starts at 6–8 months; seasonal (spring/summer)

• Incubation:

  • 28 days (natural or artificial)

  • Humidity: 50–55% (increase to 65–70% at hatch)

• Broody hens: Excellent mothers—often raise poults successfully with minimal intervention

🥚 Tip: Collect eggs daily if not hatching; store at 55°F and 75% humidity for up to 7 days before incubating.

🌞 5. Pasture & Outdoor Access

Midget Whites love to roam and scratch.

• Provide shade, dust bathing areas, and clean water outdoors

• Rotate pasture to reduce parasite load

• Protect from aerial predators (hawks) with netting or guardian animals if needed

✅ Their small size makes them ideal for tractors or mobile pens on pasture.

🩺 6. Health & Common Issues

Generally hardy, but watch for:

• Blackhead disease (if in areas with chickens—practice pasture rotation)

• Respiratory infections (ensure good ventilation)

• External parasites (mites, lice)—dust baths help prevent

• Leg issues (rare, but ensure proper niacin and non-slippery surfaces)

🛡️ Prevention: Clean coop, dry bedding, quality feed, and low stress = healthy birds.

✅ Why Raise Midget White Turkeys?

• Perfect size for small families (ideal Thanksgiving bird at 10–16 lbs)

• Naturally breed and raise young—sustainable flock possible

• Excellent foragers = lower feed costs

• Rare breed conservation—help preserve genetic diversity

• Docile and personable—great for homesteads or 4-H projects

📌 Final Tips

• Source from reputable heritage breeders (e.g., through The Livestock Conservancy or APA-certified hatcheries)

• Avoid crossbreeding if conserving pure genetics

• Check local ordinances—some areas allow turkeys even in suburban zones due to their quiet nature

Raising Midget White turkeys blends practicality, conservation, and homesteading joy. They’re a sustainable, manageable, and rewarding alternative to industrial turkey breeds—offering delicious meat, natural behaviors, and a connection to poultry heritage.

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