Breeding Turkeys for poults

Breeding turkeys for poults is considered to be a a very specialized part of turkey production and not really for the beginner

As with chickens you need to select your best stock. This is determined by shape, weight,general health and possibly even proper feather markings.

If you are raising Bronze, the hens should weigh 15 to 18 pounds at 24 weeks and the toms should be at least 25 at the same age. Smaller breeds would be selected by the proper characteristics for the breed.

Breeders can be kept in small pens or or kept in confinement. The breeders require at least 5 sq. ft. per bird, but this is relative to the amount as if you have a small number of birds, I have always had better luck giving them a good amount more room than the normal recommendations.

Individual turkey nests should be about 14"x24". One nest is sufficient for 5 birds. Community nests 3'x 6' would be enough for 20. Naturally the same feeders and waterers used for raising them would be fine.

You can purchase special breeder mashes online, but the rarity of it suggests that they do not need anything different than usual . In cooler weather, eggs should be gathered several times a day.

If you have a turkey that is broody, it is best to delouse her before putting her on eggs. Generally you will end up using an incubator because they leave the eggs after laying them.

If you are lucky, and the turkey sets a clutch of eggs, she can handle up to 15 or 20. Usually they only lay about 40 eggs per year. One tom can fertilize 12 - 18 hens.

The thing to remember is that turkeys, especially bronze, seem to have a hard time breeding. They do make special saddles MBL designs have some pretty fancy ones It is something with the ability of the Broad Breasted Bronze getting on and off the hen, which can make for infertile eggs.


The eggs do not have the same success rate as chicken eggs and it is actually quite a bit cheaper to just buy poults.

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