Pages collated by 
Jill Bowis of

started November 1999

Q- Hi, I was just wondering if it is OK to let my turkeys roost in the fenced yard I have for them even though the tempature is getting down in the 30's.  I already know from experience they are not very bright! I was also wanting to know when they start to lay, if it is just a spring time thing or what....
A - Generally speaking, turkeys don't do well in below-freezing temps.  Our first year we used heat lamps in the barn, then put in heat which kicks in below 40.
A - I had a turkey that did fine during the winter, Chicago USDA zone 5, and then got eaten by a 'coon in the spring time.  That was the biggest problem, predation in the fall/spring.
A- It is my understanding, from reading the posts on the Rare Heritage Turkey List, so not from personal experience, that turkeys are much more cold resistant than people believe. Sounds like they do fine in cold weather.
I also understand there is a certain season when they lay, and they do not lay year-round like the chickens do.  I believe it is early spring through summer, but don't quote me on that one.
A - I live in Mid-Michigan and we have a flock of about 30 WILD turkeys that have the run of the place, woods, swamps, ect. It gets cold here each winter, about 30 below zero. If you don't feed the wild turkeys
during the winter they will not live till spring. For some unknown reason turkeys will not scratch the snow to find food under the snow like deer will. The cold doesn't brother them as long as you feed
them. But they are unable to take care of themselves while there is snow on the ground. I forget the name of the club we have here in Michigan but that is all they do -- feed the turkeys during the winter so the turkeys can eat the farmers crops during the spring and summer. They are not a well-liked bird around here. I would be shot by one of the local farmers if I tried to raise a few.

Q - I'm thinking about raising a couple of turkeys in the spring. Everywhere I've read says not to mix turkeys with chickens. They must be separated......yet a local farmer said not to worry about it....he does it all the time with no problems. What's the concensus here??
A -If you kill them all off every year, and disinfect the house, the risk is low.  If you plan to keep any for more than a year, to breed, or to send any of your animals to another farm, the crossover for diseases is
just too high.  You may get away with it for a year, or two, or ten, but when an outbreak hits, you could lose your entire flock.   Turkeys also eat more meat than chickens do, so it's best to feed them separately, anyhow. 
A - Six years of raising turkeys and chickens together here, on a small scale, and never a problem.  I keep about 15 chickens and 5 turkeys.

> I'd like to acquire some turkey poults that aren't the overbred, overly
> robust double-breasted types. I don't plan on eating em-- I like keeping
> them as pets. ANyone know of a good supplier in the Pacific Northwest? I
> live near Seatle.
> 
> Thanks, DGGWhat type breed were you thinking about?

If you want a pet bird, I would go with the Royal Palms as they are a nice light turkey, but maybe a little too smart for their own good 

Bourbon reds and Black Spanish are also good show breeds that will not tend to be overbred.