Turkeys on the Farm

Are turkeys right for me?

Turkeys need more space, more feed and more attention than chickens. They are curious, friendly and sometimes aggressive. Many small farmers raise them seasonally for holiday meat. They also tend to be less forgiving of mistakes than chickens, especially in the first weeks of life, so be honest about how much time you have.

Ask local keepers and your extension office how turkeys do in your climate, and decide whether you want heritage breeds or commercial types, which grow differently.

Spend time with a keeper who has raised turkeys. Seeing how large the birds get and how they behave is better than any description.

• Heritage breeds grow slowly and can breed naturally
• Commercial types grow fast but struggle with leg and heart problems
• Turkeys need more space and tolerate fewer mistakes
• Seasonal timing affects processing slots

How do I raise young poults?

Poults are delicate in the first weeks. They need warmth, clean bedding and a feed made for young turkeys. Teach them to find feed and water, and watch for chilling or crowding. Check each poult by hand when it arrives, and watch that it drinks within the first hours. A weak poult that does not drink may need help from an experienced keeper or a vet.

Ask your hatchery or extension agent about brooder setups and temperature guidance. Do not rely on memory or a forum for temperatures.

A good brooding setup is the biggest factor in early survival. Check poults several times a day for the first weeks.

• Draft free brooder
• Clean, dry bedding
• Turkey starter feed
• Shallow water they cannot drown in

What housing and space do turkeys need?

Adult turkeys need roomy, ventilated shelter and secure fencing. They fly better than many people expect, and some will roost in trees. Predators, especially at night, are a constant danger. Raising birds on clean ground or moving them regularly helps limit parasites and disease that build up where manure collects.

Provide shade and cool water in heat. Heavy birds can have leg and heart problems.

Fencing should be tall and strong, and gates should close firmly. Turkeys can wander widely if they get out.

• Roomy, ventilated shelter
• Tall, strong fence
• Roosts sized for large birds
• Shade and cool water in summer

What about feed and health?

Turkeys have different nutrient needs from chickens. Feed made for turkeys is usually recommended, and many chicken feeds do not meet their requirements. Ask your feed supplier or extension agent.

Keep turkeys away from chickens where possible, since some diseases pass between them. Blackhead, a disease of the gut and liver, is a concern in mixed flocks, so ask your vet about it.

Clean feeders and drinkers every day and keep bedding dry. Damp ground and old litter help disease spread.

• Turkey starter and grower feed
• Clean, shallow waterers for poults
• Separate housing from chickens
• Regular health checks

What are the biosecurity concerns?

Turkeys can catch avian influenza and other infections. State and federal agencies monitor these diseases and rules change. Report sudden illness or death to your state veterinarian.

Keep wild birds away from feed and water, limit visitors and clean boots between pens.

Teach family members and visitors to wash hands after handling birds, and keep young children from kissing or cuddling poultry.

• Quarantine new birds
• Separate from chickens
• Cover feed and water
• Report sudden illness

How do I plan for processing and sale?

Slaughter and sale rules for poultry differ by state and by number of birds. Contact your state department of agriculture, and book a processor early if you want holiday birds.

Handle raw poultry carefully, wash hands and surfaces and cook to a safe temperature, following USDA and CDC food safety guidance.

Ask the processor for a date early. Holiday slots often fill far in advance, and a missed booking leaves you with large birds and nowhere to go.

Is it worth the cost?

Poults, feed, brooding and processing can cost more than many expect. Most small keepers do it for quality and tradition rather than profit. Keep notes on feed and losses to plan better next year.

Start with a small number and learn from the first season.

If you keep heritage birds, ask about breeding and hatching rather than assuming it will be simple.

• Poults and shipping or hatchery costs
• Feed through the long growing period
• Brooding equipment and fuel or power
• Processing fees and cold storage

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.