look for a giant preferent shuttlecock that cuddles , talks , and joystick by your side ? conform to the preferred turkey . These reasoning , friendly shuttle boast unique personalities and make entertaining companions . However , due to their substantial size , they ask ample space . So , before you step on it to pluck your feathered ally , lease ’s search what keeps these magnificent birds felicitous and healthy in your house . Perhaps it ’s " tweet " destiny !
First: Can You Have a Turkey as a Pet?
dud can make incredible pets for the right house . Not only are they favorable , but the females often roll in the hay cuddling and being pet . A lot of owners draw them as being dog - like . But like a dog , certain housing limitation practice . recover out whether your local police force and ordination , neighborhoods , and your property will be right for this finical feathered champion .
1. Are Turkeys Legal in Your Area?
First , enquiry whether you could legally have a turkey as a ducky where you go . Check with your city ’s creature control department to find out about regulating regarding any zoning restriction and raise farm animal . You may find you ’re let to keep them but must stick to guidelines regarding the housing of the shuttlecock and distance from your neighbors .
2. What Will Your Neighbors Think?
Once you ’ve established that you may lawfully raise turkeys in your backyard , the next important consideration is your neighbor . turkey are not smooth birdie , and if you project on building your dud enclosure right next to a neighboring sign , that ’s probable to induce clash . babble out to any neighbors who may be affected by the noise first to check that that everyone is quenched with how you will be keep on the turkey on your prop .
3. Do You Have Enough Space?
You ’ll need a palisade - in area that is at least 6 feet high-pitched to keep them from wander . You may even need to cover their country with wire or netting , as many turkeys can well fly over a fence that high . Your penitentiary should have at least 6 straightforward pes of space per turkey , though offering them more space to roam is preferred , as long as you’re able to make trusted their area is secure .
A good rule of thumb is to have at least6 square feet of quad per bird , and you will need at least two turkey in your flock .
Your turkeys will also need to have a place to stay during inclement weather and at nighttime to keep them safe from predators . you could make something as simple as a change pre - designed garden shed . To get an estimation of space , a distinctive 6 - foot by 8 - metrical unit shed would hold about six turkey , though this is the minimum size , and bombastic will make your turkeys happier .
Types of Turkeys
There are several breeds of turkeys that are usually kept as both PET and raised as farm animal . domesticated turkeys are larger than " inheritance bomb , " which tend to expect more like raving mad Meleagris gallopavo . This makes mother wit when you moot that domesticated turkeys have been bred over clock time to have heavy breast for solid food purposes compared to their leaner ancestors . While there are many similarities , there are few differences between the broad type .
favorable & lovesome
Where to Get Pet Turkeys
When you ’re quick to raise turkey and have your home set up , there are a few unlike places you may get your new ducky turkey .
examine to adjudicate between a favourite Meleagris gallopavo anda pet chicken ? Turkeys are generally more tranquil and resilient than Gallus gallus .
Housing Turkeys
Along with a secure quad to roam , your turkey will demand housing . you could buy a 6 - understructure by 8 - pes or larger shed to keep your turkey in . Other consideration for trapping :
Turkey Bedding
Your turkey shed should have some type of bedding on the earth to keep wet away from the turkeys and to protect them from hurting their foot . Pinewood shavings act upon well for this , or you could use hay . It ’s authoritative to stick with a regular cleaning docket to keep their shaving or hay barren of their water and feces so the birds continue tidy . Spot sporty daily and wholly commute the bedding at least once each week .
Even though there are plenty of in force bedding options , there are a few you ’ll want to stay aside from . Do not use cedar tree shavings , as these are toxic to turkeys , and do n’t apply sawdust or newspapers , as this can harm the legs of younger turkeys . Not to mention , they may also prove to eat the sawdust .
Feeding Your Pet Turkey
eat your turkey the right dieting is all important for their health . Turkeys are mussy eater , so the first affair to roll in the hay about feed them is to use a self - self-feeder . This will provide them to get only a number of food for thought at clip to edit down on pickle and forbid gluttony . Pet turkeys should run through pellets that are designed for other poultry , such as chickens . Pick a dieting for their sprightliness stageto make certain they get the appropriate protein and Ca levels :
Supplements
It ’s good to affix your turkeys ' dieting with fruits and vegetables , such as leafy greens , kale , grapes , and berries . Some turkeys enjoy eating insects like crickets . And if you want your dud hens to lie in eggs , you may need to supplement their dieting with Ca . crush huitre shells is a great option for this and can be purchased online and at agricultural feed stores .
Grit
Because joker do n’t have teeth , they need togrind their food within their gizzard . Grit is an crucial part of this process . Turkeys who have detached ambit in a natural surround will usually beak up these petite Stone while they forage , but it ’s also wise to extend your turkey grit in vitrine they need it . Place a grit container near their self - feeder when they enter their agriculturist stagecoach .
Make indisputable your turkey has a constant supply of water , although you ’ll probably require to use watering bottles made for domestic fowl , as dud can easy strike into a sports stadium of urine and even drown !
Raising Turkey Poults
If your hens will be laying egg and raising young bomb , you will need to be prepare for the guardianship of their babies . This means take a estrus lamp in the turkey shed to keep the newly hatched child at a temperature between 95 ° F and 100 ° F ( 35 ° C to 38 ° C ) . Expect to keep the area heat up for at least the first six weeks of their life story , unless you go in a colder climate .
Your lamp also needs to be situated so that the birds can move around and away from the heat if they get too spicy . You will find that young turkeys are far needier than other type of poultry and will necessitate training to interpret where to run through , where to salute , and where to go out of doors . While they can be a lot of employment , they ’re also known for being affectionate and almost puppy - alike .
Turkey Health Concerns
Turkeys havea lifespanof about 3 to 7 old age , though some can live only 2 years and others as long as 10 . Learning about the potential disease these bird are susceptible to can facilitate you put preventive care into action and keep an middle out for any early symptoms of illness . Pet turkeys are susceptible to several medical conditions , including :
Questions to Ask Your Turkey’s Vet
Turkeys are pretty unique pets , which think you ’ll postulate to witness a veterinarian that ’s intimate with these shuttle . take care for an exotic veterinarianwho has experience attend and treating turkeys . When you find a vet , make certain to ask them these questions at your first visit :
FAQ on Owning a Pet Turkey
You ’ve got head , we have answers .
Raising Turkeys at Home as Pets
Turkeysrequire a lot of work and a nifty bargain of outer space , so they ’re not a good pick if you have a low backyard and be in a suburban area with neighbors skinny by . But if you do have passable infinite and can lawfully own them in your expanse , they can make wonderful , intelligent positron emission tomography that will surprise you with their unique personalities and friendly nature .
