Raising Turkeys

Turkeys are raised primarily for meat production. Their egg production is too low to be economical to keep an egg-laying flock. Many have found it rewarding to raise their own Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey. Others like to sell fresh turkey as a source of income. For commercial-type turkeys, a growing period of 14 - 20 weeks is common, depending on the size of turkey you want, and whether it is a male or female turkey. The heritage-type turkeys require much more time and will never reach the sizes possible with commercial-type turkeys. So before you start raising a flock of turkeys, keep that amount of time in mind.

Raising meat turkeys in small or backyard flocks (eXtension)

Small-flock turkey production (Penn State University)

Pasturing turkeys (Livestock Breeds Conservancy)

Basics of raising junior market turkeys for junior turkey show (Utah State University)

Raising turkeys as a 4-H or FFA project (University of Wisconsin)