In the Spring of 2012, we decided to raise turkeys for the first time. It was a great experience, but cost more than we expected. Here’s the run down on our expenses.
We ordered 3 different turkey breeds: 6 Giant White = $42 5 Bronze Breasted Bronze = $35 4 Rio Grande = $40 Shipping = $20Purchase Total = $137
Raising your own turkey for Thanksgiving dinner is a fun family tradition, but with the cost of poults, feed, supplies and processing, is it really worth it? Here’s a detailed look at what’s involved so you can decide if raising turkeys is right for you.
Cost of Poults
Poults are baby turkeys. There are two main types you can buy – broad breasted and heritage breeds.
Broad breasted poults cost around $4-8 each. You’ll need to order a minimum of 8-25 poults.
Heritage poults cost $10-15 each and have a higher minimum order of 15-25 poults,
So figure $80-200 just for the initial poult purchase.
Cost of Feed
Feed makes up the biggest expense for raising turkeys.
Broad breasted toms eat 64 lbs of feed costing $27. Hens eat 46 lbs costing $19.
Heritage turkeys eat around 73 lbs of feed costing $31 each.
Turkey starter feed costs $17-22 for a 40 lb bag, so roughly $0.42-0.55/lb.
Over 16-28 weeks, feed costs $19-42 per broad breasted turkey and $31 per heritage turkey.
Housing Costs
You’ll need a brooder setup for the first 4-8 weeks. A large plastic tote or kiddie pool works well.
Then a small coop or tractor is needed, or at least an enclosed run. Basic housing can be built for $50-150 in materials.
Bedding like pine shavings will cost $5-10 per month.
Other Costs
- Waterers and feeders: $20-50
- Fencing: $100-300 for materials
- Heat lamp: $15-25
- Medications/vitamins: $20
- Processing: $5-15 per bird
So other costs can range from $150-500 depending on what you already have.
Total Cost
Here’s a breakdown of total costs:
- Poults: $80-200
- Feed: $19-42 per bird
- Housing: $50-150
- Other supplies: $150-500
- Processing: $5-15 per bird
Total cost per broad breasted turkey: $60-100
Total for heritage turkeys: $70-120
Raising 6-10 turkeys would cost $400-1000.
Is it Worth It?
The total cost is $50-100 less per turkey than buying a frozen turkey.
The savings are nice, but the real value is getting deliciously fresh, organic, pastured turkey.
Raising turkeys is enjoyable and teaches responsibility.
So while not a money-making venture, the experience and premium meat can make it worthwhile.
Tips to Save Money
Here are some tips to lower costs:
- Buy supplies and housing you can reuse each year.
- Scour craigslist for used brooders/feeders.
- Raise a heritage breed that can breed and reduce poult costs.
- Butcher yourself to avoid processing fees.
- Split costs with others and buy poults in bulk.
- Use your own land to avoid land rental fees.
- Grow some feed crops like corn to offset purchased feed.
- Raising 6-10 turkeys costs $400-1000.
- You save $50-100 per turkey vs store-bought.
- The real value is fresh, organic, pastured meat.
- With some cost-cutting measures, it can be a worthwhile family tradition.
THE REALITY IS IT COST MORE THAN THAT TO RAISE OUR TURKEYS
The $87.40 was easy math. It’s really more complicated than that. That cost didn’t include housing, feeding supplies or butchering costs. Our cost on those items was about $800. I’m not sure the best way to include these expenses. Although, we paid for these things, they will be with us longer than the turkeys.
Farmer John built a Turkey Hut to house the turkeys, which cost around $275.
He also bought a waterer, which he thinks is the best type for turkeys. It was around $30.
We didn’t have to pay anyone to butcher the turkeys because we have the Whiz Bang Chicken Plucker. But, we paid $500 for this best invention ever. To make the monetary matters even more complicated, the 2 Rio Grande turkeys weren’t processed that first fall. They take another year to mature & get to butchering weight. So, we kept them around & ended up getting babies from them. That’s got to be worth something on the positive side, right?
FEED COSTBefore we got turkeys, we read that they eat a lot. And, they do. The majority of cost for raising the turkeys was on their feed. The Bronze Breasted Bronze & Giant White Turkeys are breeds that eat a lot & grow quickly. They are ready to be butchered between 4-6 months, depending on how big you want your turkey.We started with 15 turkeys, but almost right away 2 of them died. Over the summer, a couple more died. Nine of the 15 turkeys made it either to butchering day or we kept them.
May = $90 (13 turkeys) June = $95 (13 turkeys) July = $140 (12 turkeys) August = $150 (12 turkeys) September = $105 (9 turkeys) October = $70 (6 turkeys)Total Feed Cost = $650
Purchase Total = $137 Total Feed Cost = $650Total for 9 Turkeys = $787 Total for 1 Turkey = $87.40
The Giant White & Bronze Breasted Bronze Turkeys ended up being around 26 pounds when butchered. That meant they were about $3.36/pound.
It’s personal preference whether the turkey is worth that amount of money. But, I can say everybody who’s tried the turkey has thoughtit was the best they’ve ever had.
Raising Turkeys the Right Way | Why it’s Worth the Cost
FAQ
Are turkeys expensive to raise?
While I could explain why it costs that much to raise a heritage turkey where the poult (turkey chick) costs $7 alone and then the cost of organic feed is $. 25/lb for a total feed cost of $40 and then there is the housing, labor, energy costs, processing, etc.
How long does it take to raise a turkey for slaughter?
Most turkey breeds will mature between 14-22 weeks of age, which means you will need to purchase birds early in July to make sure they have enough time to grow. Heritage breeds will take a bit longer, 25-30 weeks, so those birds would need to be purchased in late May or early June.
How much does a full grown live turkey cost?
On the mainland, California has the most expensive turkey prices on average, as a 15-pound bird costs $39.85 in the Golden State. Three states are tied with the fourth-highest turkey price in the country, as a 15-pound bird will cost shoppers $36.85 on average in Connecticut, Montana, and New Jersey.
How much do turkey farmers make per turkey?
ST. PAUL – The farmer’s share of the cost of the turkey that is the centerpiece of many Thanksgiving feasts is 6 cents per pound, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
How long does it take to raise a Turkey?
Feed ingredients account for roughly two-thirds of the cost of raising a turkey. Modern production methods have shortened the time it takes for turkeys to reach maturity. A hen usually takes 14 weeks and weighs 15.5 pounds when processed, but a tom takes roughly 18 weeks to reach a market weight of 38 pounds.
How much does a turkey cost per pound?
A farm close to us, Tea Hills, list the price as $4.50 per pound, which would put the total cost for the turkey at $90. They also list the price of heritage breed turkeys at $6.99 per pound. These birds would be smaller, more like 12-14 pounds processed.
How much does it cost to raise a Turkey?
A broad breasted turkey will take 16 weeks and cost $42.90 to raise, while a heritage breed turkey will take 28 weeks and cost $52.49 to raise. Congratulations! Raising your own turkeys will open up a whole new world of poultry to you and your family. You can say goodbye to those chemical laden, not so tasty turkeys at the store.
Do you save money raising your own turkeys?
Both these tables show that no matter which breed of turkey you choose to raise you will save a significant amount of money raising your own turkeys rather than buying them from someone else. Now you need to ask yourself, is the $50 bucks you save worth doing the work to raise your own turkeys?
How much feed does it take to raise a 38 pound turkey?
On average, it takes 75-80 pounds of feed to raise a 38-pound tom turkey. Feed ingredients account for roughly two-thirds of the cost of raising a turkey. Modern production methods have shortened the time it takes for turkeys to reach maturity.
Is raising a Turkey a good idea?
Turkey is one of the best animals to raise for meat and profit. Especially during the holidays because their price will spike as almost every single family in the US buys a turkey for dinner. Raising turkey will also save you money because you won’t need to buy one for the holidays. It might seem crazy if you’ve never raised one before…