In my experience, learning how to take care of turkey poults (baby turkeys) is similar to raising baby chickens, so if you’ve owned chickens for any length of time, you’re off to a great start, but, either way, I’ll walk you through the basics.
Buying free-range, organic turkey meat is expensive, so learning how to take care of turkey poults has reduced my meat budget while also being a fairly simple and enjoyable experience. I highly recommend following these simple steps to raise a healthy turkey flock of your own.
Raising turkey poults and wondering when it’s safe to move them outdoors? As a backyard turkey farmer I know that knowing the right time to transition poults from the brooder to outdoor housing is key to keeping them healthy and thriving. Move them too soon and they may get chilled stressed, or fall prey to predators. Wait too long and they may get overheated and crowded in the brooder. So when is the optimal time to move those cute little poults into the great outdoors?
Assessing Feather Cover and Temperature
The two most important factors determining poult readiness for the outdoors are their feather development and the ambient temperature.
Wait Until Fully Feathered
Poults need to be fully feathered before going outside. Their fluffy baby down provides warmth in the brooder but not enough protection from wind, rain, and cold when outdoors.
Feathers develop rapidly in poults. You’ll notice feathers emerging on their wings around 2-3 weeks. Check under the wing around 4 weeks – the area should be completely filled in. Primary feathers on the wings will be nearly full length by 6 weeks. The belly will fill in more slowly than the back and wings. Run your hands gently over the breast and leg areas before moving them out. Any large bare patches mean they need more time in the brooder.
Match Brooder and Outdoor Temps
Outdoor temperature must be close to what poults are accustomed to in the brooder. Abrupt temperature drops are very stressful. Each week in the brooder, I lower the temperature by 5°F to help them acclimate. By 6-7 weeks when fully feathered, their temperature needs will match outdoor conditions in most climates.
If outdoor temps are much cooler than the brooder, postpone the move. I also monitor forecasts – a heat wave or cold snap means adjusting my plans. Ideally, I target the move for a stretch of mild, consistent weather. In extreme heat or cold, they may need to stay in the brooder for another 1-2 weeks until conditions improve.
6-7 Weeks – The Typical Target Age
With proper brooding temps and feed, poults are normally ready to live outdoors at 6-7 weeks old, once fully feathered.
Heritage breeds may feather a bit slower than commercial poults. Large turkey breeds like Narragansett may also need a week or two longer than smaller Bronze or White poults. But for most poults by 6-7 weeks, the combination of feather cover and hardiness makes outdoor life possible.
If poults seem crowded, restless, or overheated in the brooder near this age, it’s a sign they need more space. Assuming the weather forecast looks safe, I go ahead and move them to their outdoor pen.
Indicators Poults Are Ready
Besides age, here are signs your poults are ready for the big move:
- Fully feathered with minimal bare patches
- No longer huddling near brooder heat source
- Moving freely around brooder, not just staying put near heat
- Appearing crowded or agitated in brooder
- Brooder temperature close to current outdoor temps
- Weather forecast showing a stretch of mild days/nights
If I see most of these indicators, my poults will likely handle the outdoor transition well.
Setting Up a Safe Outdoor Space
When moving poults outside, they need an enclosed, predator-proof pen with shelter, food, and water. I think of this as an “outside brooder” keeping them safe while allowing more space. Some key elements:
Sturdy Fencing
I use 1-inch wire mesh fencing or similar to enclose the pen. Burying the bottom edge prevents diggers. Make sure openings are too small for poults to squeeze through. Height should be at least 4-5 feet for flightless poults, or 6-8 feet for heritage breeds that can fly.
Shelter from Elements
Provide a draft-free shelter, like a small coop or shed. Make sure it’s large enough for all poults to enter and has adequate ventilation. I bed the floor with pine shavings or other litter. They’ll need the shelter at night and during wet, windy, or extremely hot or cold weather.
Protection from Predators
Secure outdoor pens to keep predators like dogs, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and hawks out. I bury fencing, use aviary netting over the top, and keep the shelter door shut at night. I check for openings or gaps regularly and repair any I find.
Plentiful Feed and Water
I supply feed and water round the clock. Use sturdy containers that poults can’t tip over or contaminate. I refresh water at least twice daily. Feeders and waters should be set under or near the shelter to keep contents clean and dry.
Monitor Conditions
I check on poults multiple times a day once moved outdoors. I make sure they are utilizing the shelter and appear comfortable in the temperature conditions. I look for signs of distress like huddling, panting, or noisy breathing. I’m prepared to return them to the brooder if they seem stressed or unwell after the move.
With attentive brooding followed by a well-planned transition to outdoor living, your poults will continue thriving as they grow. Taking these steps will help ensure your poults stay healthy and develop into hardy, vigorous turkeys. I wish you the best of luck in raising your flock!
What Temperature Can Baby Turkeys Tolerate?
The ideal turkey brooder temperature is between 95 and 98 degrees Fahrenheit, since turkey poults are easily chilled and can die if the temperature gets too low. I usually try reducing the temperature by 5 degrees every week as they mature and start to grow feathers so the change in temperature won’t be too shocking when I move them outside.
What Brooder Size Is Best For Turkey Hatchlings?
The size of your brooder will depend on how many turkey hatchlings you want to raise. On my homestead, I like to raise a handful of turkey poults at a time, enough to supply us with turkey meat occasionally throughout the year. For three to five turkey chicks, I constructed a 3×8 scrap wood box and crafted a cover out of metal caging. For the first few weeks of their life, I make it smaller by sliding a wooden divider into place to keep them warm and cozy in a 3×4 section of the brooder. Once they hit week four, I pull out the divider to give them access to the full brooder space.
How to Raise Turkeys – From Brooder to Coop!
FAQ
When can turkey poults be outside?
Most often poults will be fully feathered and will be ready to move into their outdoor housing around 6-7 weeks of age. But until they are fully feathered they need to be kept in a draft-free, temperature-controlled brooder space protected from predators and supplied with fresh food and water.
How long do baby turkeys need a heat lamp?
Keep young poults warm.
Decrease temperature by five degrees F each week until it reaches 70 degrees F, and maintain this level until extra heat is no longer needed (usually at 6 to 8 weeks of age). Use a brooder guard, which will give poults room to move away from the brooder, if needed.
What temperature is too cold for baby turkeys?
Poults need heat, but also must be able to get away from the 105 degree heat. Keep in mind, the temperature should be no cooler than 85 degrees at any location in the brooding area. Make sure there are no air drafts in your brooding area. After 5 days, slowly decrease temps so they are at 70 degrees at 5 weeks of age.
At what age can turkeys be free range?
Free-range
All turkeys raised in accordance with the Animal Welfare Approved standards must be given continuous outdoor access beginning at four weeks of age. Certified Humane requires that all free-range turkeys raised according to its standards be given access to the outdoors for at least eight hours per day.
When do turkey poults go outside?
Your turkey poults can go outside when they are 6-7 weeks old and fully feathered. The “fully feathered” part is the key here. If you still see the fluffy baby feathers, your poults still need the brooder. The outside temperature must be close to the temperature of the brooder that the poults just came out of.
When can baby turkeys go outside?
Baby turkeys can go outside on warm days when they are three weeks old, provided they are kept safe from predators. When baby turkeys are eight weeks old, they can go outside permanently, provided they are fully feathered, and the temperatures are not too low.
How long can you leave turkeys outside?
My turkeys names are Christmas and Thanksgiving. East Tennessee. With those temperatures you can probably put both the chickens and the turkeys outside around 4-5 weeks. How old are they now? With temperatures that warm, you can start turning the heat lamp off during the day.
What temperature do turkey poults need?
From the table above, turkey poults need the highest temperature in their first week. The temperature requirement decreases by 5° F every week until they reach 70° F, which is when they can leave the brooder box (or when they have complete feathers). Here are tips to giving your poults sufficient temperature.
At what age should turkey poults start roosting?
Turkey poults should be taught to roost before they are 6 weeks old. This encourages them to quickly return to roost when they are matured. Roosting should be started early for best results. Paper towels and newspapers are suitable for poults under one week of age.
When should poults be taken outside?
Poults should be taken outside when they are around 6-7 weeks old and have developed a third of their last feathers. However, they can go outside sooner depending on the weather.