Raising Turkeys

Raising Turkeys: Getting Them Off to a Strong Start

Turkeys are truly special birds — curious, affectionate, and full of personality — but they are different from chickens, especially in the early days. While they can grow into hardy, resilient adults, turkey poults are more fragile at the start and benefit greatly from thoughtful setup and close attention.

Most turkey losses happen early on, often for reasons that aren’t obvious at first. This guide focuses on getting turkeys through those critical first weeks, when good management makes the biggest difference.

What to Expect with Turkey Poults

If you’re used to raising chicks, turkeys may surprise you. They are:

  • Slower to self-regulate temperature
  • Less intuitive about finding heat, food, and water
  • More prone to piling and huddling
  • Exceptionally creative in finding ways to get themselves into trouble

This isn’t a criticism — just a reality of turkeys. With the right setup and early support, they often go on to thrive beautifully.

Brooder Setup: The Single Most Important Factor

Avoid Corners

Turkeys have a strong tendency to wander into corners, get cold, and pile on top of one another. This can lead to chilling or suffocation.

Best options:

  • A round brooder
  • Temporary corner guards (cardboard or plywood work well)
  • Any setup that removes sharp, cold corners entirely

Flat, Open Flooring

A flat, open surface helps turkeys move freely and reduces early leg strain.

  • Avoid uneven or slippery surfaces
  • Ensure footing feels secure and predictable

Bedding Choices (Especially Early On)

Wood shavings are not inherently bad, but turkey poults are curious and not very discerning. In the first few days, they may eat bedding.

Better early options include:

  • Paper towels
  • Puppy pads
  • Non-slip shelf liner

Once poults are reliably eating feed, transitioning to shavings is usually fine. The goal early on is clarity and safety, not permanence.

Wire-bottom brooders can reduce bedding ingestion, but poults can get toes or legs caught, so they require careful monitoring.

Heat: Broad and Gentle Is Better

Turkeys do not regulate temperature as intuitively as chicks.

  • Multiple heat lamps or a broader heat source often works better than a single intense hot spot
  • Aim for even warmth rather than extremes

Watch behaviour rather than relying only on thermometers:

  • Tight huddling = too cold
  • Avoiding heat = too hot
  • Calm, evenly spaced poults = just right

Food & Water: Constant, Thoughtful Access

Do Not Let Turkeys Get Overly Thirsty

This is more serious than many people realize. If turkeys become very thirsty, they may overdrink when water is offered.

This can lead to chilling, water aspiration, and in rare but real cases, what’s sometimes referred to as “land drowning.” Severe electrolyte or vitamin shock can also occur.

Best practices:

  • Ensure constant access to fresh water
  • Avoid deep waterers early on
  • Check water frequently
  • Never allow poults to become overly thirsty

Teaching Them How to Eat & Drink

Turkeys do not always instinctively know what to do.

  • Gently dip beaks in water when placing them
  • Tap feed with your finger to draw attention
  • Raising them with chicks for the first couple of weeks can be very helpful

Chicks are excellent teachers. Turkeys learn where to go, when to eat, and how to move between heat and food by watching them.

Feed, Vitamins & Leg Support

Higher-protein starter feeds (often 24–26%) are commonly recommended for turkeys, especially early on.

In our experience, vitamin support from the start makes a noticeable difference, particularly for legs and joints during rapid growth.

Helpful nutrients include:

  • B vitamins (especially B12)
  • Vitamin E
  • Selenium

Respiratory Health & Herbal Support

Turkeys are more sensitive to respiratory challenges than chickens. Early signs may include facial puffiness, congestion, or lethargy.

Herbal respiratory supports, added to drinking water, can be helpful when used early to gently support breathing and recovery.

As turkeys grow, complete separation from chickens and ducks is strongly recommended. Ducks in particular often carry organisms that do not affect them but can cause issues for turkeys.

A Realistic Note on Mortality

Even with excellent care, turkeys can be unpredictable.

  • Most losses happen early
  • Some years are easier than others
  • Some birds simply make questionable life choices

Because of this, many experienced growers choose to order a few extra birds as a buffer. This is not pessimism — it is realism.

Final Thoughts: Why Turkeys Are Worth It

Despite their quirks, turkeys are deeply enjoyable birds to raise.

They are often called the puppies of the poultry world — curious, social, expressive, and very people-oriented. They follow you around, investigate everything, and become a lively, engaging part of a farm, homestead, or backyard flock.

Mini Classic turkeys in particular are sweet-natured and personable. They can be kept long-term, and hens lay large, rich, delicious eggs that many people come to love.

With a strong start, turkeys don’t just survive — they become one of the most rewarding poultry species to keep.

Important Disclaimer

This information is shared based on practical, on-farm experience. It is provided for general educational purposes only and should not be considered veterinary or medical advice.

Every setup, environment, and flock is different. For diagnosis, treatment, or medical concerns, please consult a qualified veterinarian or poultry professional. Raising poultry requires independent research, observation, and decision-making by the keeper.