Holly's Homestead — Poultry
Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo · Meat breed
DIFFICULTY Moderate
TYPE Poultry, kept for seasonal meat
PRODUCTIVE LIFE Processed at 16–24 weeks
TYPE Poultry, kept for seasonal meat
PRODUCTIVE LIFE Processed at 16–24 weeks
Space
0.3–0.5m² shelter, large run preferred
Diet
Turkey-specific grower feed, higher protein than chicken feed
Water
Fresh daily, high intake
Temperament
Docile but can be flighty when young
Lifespan
Kept typically one season for meat
01More 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.
02Housing & 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.
03Daily care
- 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).
04Health & problems
- 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.
05Production & 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.
06Compatibility & considerations
Good with
Standalone housing away from chicken flocksAvoid keeping with
Sharing ground with chickens (blackhead disease risk)Note
Avoid running turkeys on ground previously used by chickens, due to the blackhead disease risk carried by chicken-associated parasites.