Small Scale Turkey Farming

Small Scale Turkey Farming

Small Scale Turkey Farming

Small-scale turkey farming is an excellent way to produce high-quality meat, preserve heritage breeds, generate supplemental income, or simply enjoy raising these intelligent and engaging birds. 

🦃 1. Choose Your Purpose & Breed

Start by defining your goal:

💡 Tip: Heritage breeds take longer to mature (6–12 months vs. 4–6 months) but offer better flavor, foraging ability, and natural reproduction.

🏡 2. Housing & Infrastructure

You don’t need a barn—just smart, secure, and clean shelter.

• Brooder (for poults):

  • Heat source (95°F Week 1, decreasing weekly)

  • Non-slip flooring, clean bedding (pine shavings)

  • Secure from drafts and predators

• Adult housing:

  • 4–10 sq ft per bird indoors (less for meat birds, more for heritage adults)

  • Roosts: Needed for heritage breeds (12–36” high); optional for heavy Broad Breasted Whites

  • Nesting boxes: 1 per 4–5 hens (12"x12")

  • Ventilation: Critical to prevent respiratory issues—no drafts, but plenty of airflow

• Outdoor run/pasture:

  • 15–25+ sq ft per bird

  • Predator-proof fencing (bury 12” underground, cover top if hawks are a threat)

  • Shade, dust bath areas, and clean water

✅ Low-cost option: Use movable pens (“turkey tractors”) on pasture for rotational grazing.

🌾 3. Feeding & Nutrition

Turkeys have higher protein needs than chickens—especially when young.

• Poults (0–8 weeks): 28% protein turkey starter (non-medicated!)

• Growers (8–20 weeks): 20–22% grower feed

• Adults: 16–18% layer or maintenance feed

Supplements:

• Niacin (Vitamin B3): 100–150 mg/gal in water for first 8 weeks to prevent leg deformities

• Grit: If foraging

• Oyster shell: For laying hens

⚠️ Never feed medicated chick feed—turkeys are highly sensitive and it can be fatal.

Foraging: Heritage turkeys reduce feed costs by 30–50% when on good pasture.

🐣 4. Starting with Poults

• Order from reputable hatcheries (e.g., Cackle Hatchery, Porter’s Rare Heritage Turkeys, Hoover’s Hatchery)

• Pick up in spring (April–June)—warmer weather eases brooding

• Quarantine new birds for 2–4 weeks

• Vaccinations: Optional; discuss with a vet based on regional disease risks (e.g., fowl pox)

🩺 5. Health & Biosecurity

Prevention is easier than treatment.

• Common issues:

  • Blackhead (avoid mixing with chickens in high-risk areas)

  • Coccidiosis (keep bedding dry)

  • Respiratory infections (ensure ventilation)

  • Leg injuries (provide traction, niacin, avoid overcrowding)

• Daily checks:

  • Bright eyes, clean vents, active behavior

  • No labored breathing or limping

• Biosecurity:

  • Limit visitors

  • Clean boots/tools between flocks

  • Don’t share equipment with other poultry owners

🥩 6. Processing & Marketing (If Selling)

• Processing age:

  • Broad Breasted Whites: 16–24 weeks

  • Heritage breeds: 24–52 weeks (for optimal fat marbling and flavor)

• Options:

  • DIY (with proper tools and training)

  • USDA-exempt custom processor (for personal use)

  • USDA-inspected facility (required if selling retail)

• Marketing ideas:

  • Farm shares or “Thanksgiving turkey reservations”

  • Farmers markets (check local regulations)

  • Direct sales to restaurants or food co-ops

📝 Tip: Start taking deposits in summer for holiday birds—demand peaks in November!

💰 7. Costs & Profitability (Small Scale)

• Frozen whole turkey: $4–$8/lb (depending on region and breed)

• A 15-lb heritage turkey could sell for $60–$120+

✅ Break-even is achievable with 10–20 birds. Profit improves with reputation and repeat customers.

🌿 8. Benefits of Small-Scale Turkey Farming

• High-quality, humane meat

• Preservation of genetic diversity (especially with heritage breeds)

• Natural pest control (turkeys eat ticks, grasshoppers, beetles)

• Educational value for families or school programs

• Low startup cost compared to cattle or hogs

📌 Final Tips for Success

1. Start small—try 5–10 birds your first year

2. Keep records (feed, health, weights, expenses)

3. Network with local turkey farmers or extension agents

4. Focus on customer experience—happy buyers return year after year

5. Enjoy the process—turkeys are curious, social, and fun to raise!

Whether you're raising turkeys for your freezer, your community, or conservation, small-scale turkey farming blends tradition, sustainability, and practicality. With careful planning and attentive care, your flock can thrive—and become a rewarding part of your homestead or farm.

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