Raising Turkeys Naturally - Help!!!

[FarmerCathy]

Ok, so we have Narragassetts coming June 12 and I want to use a good feed.  I'm not sure on the protein content because I'm raising some for breeding and the rest for butchering this Fall.  They will all be in the same pen.  Will that be a problem, will the breeders grow too fast if they are on the same feed if they require differently for meat?  I guess if I'm raising them naturally that shouldn't be a problem???  I sprout grains and all that for my chickens besides supplementing them with chicken feed.  I haven't been able to raise enough worms yet to feed them those instead of the recommended maggot method, ick.  Anyway, I can't get organic feed around here and haven't raised turkeys since I was a kid and those were the meat type. 

Anyway, any help and any book or site recommendations would be awesome.  Thanks!!!!

[talia rose]

I do not have an answer to your question as it is our first year raising turkeys, but I wanted to see if you have read Barbara Kingsolver's book "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle"? She talks quite a bit about raising and breeding turkeys and it is absolutely hilarious as well as informative.....(plus its just a great book)

[FarmerCathy]

Originally Posted by talia rose 

I do not have an answer to your question as it is our first year raising turkeys, but I wanted to see if you have read Barbara Kingsolver's book "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle"? She talks quite a bit about raising and breeding turkeys and it is absolutely hilarious as well as informative.....(plus its just a great book)

I've read most of that book, keep putting it down because a lot of it is just repeat of stuff I already know.  I think I got to chicken slaughtering and stopped, I must pick it up again.

[Ldavis24]

Flock raiser for turkeys...If there is such a thing, 

they have flock raiser for chickens and they have game bird feed which is higher in protein...

Anyway flock raiser can suit all birds at all stages of life and generally you don't need to feed breeders are vastly different diet than non breeders. are they going to be free ranging? That makes a big difference

ETA the single best place to post your question would be the forums at backyardchickens.com

they are absolutely the single best resource I have found for ALL poultry care...Hands down!

Although some posters are uh... a little intense, if you are squeamish don't go to the predators and pests forum.

[FarmerCathy]

Originally Posted by Ldavis24 

Flock raiser for turkeys...If there is such a thing, 

they have flock raiser for chickens and they have game bird feed which is higher in protein...

Anyway flock raiser can suit all birds at all stages of life and generally you don't need to feed breeders are vastly different diet than non breeders. are they going to be free ranging? That makes a big difference

ETA the single best place to post your question would be the forums at backyardchickens.com

they are absolutely the single best resource I have found for ALL poultry care...Hands down!

Although some posters are uh... a little intense, if you are squeamish don't go to the predators and pests forum.

Yes, they will be free range.  Thank you.  Yes, I was trying to think of another forum to go to, that is a great idea, haven't been over there in ages.