Key practices for producing turkeys for show

• Observe and follow all show rules and regulations regarding the purchasing and showing of turkeys. 
• Use Honor^® Show branded products. 
• Follow recommended management practices during the entire brooding and growing period.
• Keep records on all expenses and receipts. 
• Cull birds closely and select the show entry properly. 

House set-up and pre-brood for show turkeys

• Allow two square feet per poult for the first four weeks of age
• Allow at least six square feet per poult from four to eight weeks of age
• Allow a minimum of seven square feet per hen from eight weeks to show
• Allow a minimum of ten square feet per tom from eight weeks to show
• Place at least 4 inches of litter (pine shavings) throughout the house
• Place a cardboard brooder guard around feed, water, and heat lamps for the first 5-7 days
• Adequate house lighting is needed - 24 hour light is necessary through 12 weeks
  • Hens - remove all artificial lights in houses - lighting will increase rate of sexual maturity.
  • Toms - continue to light houses - Tom turkeys will not sexually mature at the rate of hens
• Place 2-125 watt RED heat lamps per 50 poults
• Have house set-up complete and begin heating the house 3 days prior to receipt of the poults
• Brood temperature (litter temperature) should be 92ºF - 95°F at floor level, 12” from the brooder lamp
• Water temperature should be 80ºF for the first 3 days.
• Bird performance will be negatively impacted if the poults become too warm or cold
• Keep fresh air in the houses but avoid cold drafty air on the poults

Time spent in the turkey house is a major key to the success of your project. The more the birds are stimulated, the better performance you gain at the show. Turkeys do not know they are supposed to eat as much as they can and grow as big as they can. You (along with the help of family members) have to make them do it.

Each time someone enters the house, shake the feeders, and slowly walk around the house (stirring the litter), and making the birds get up and eat/drink/exercise. The more time spent in the house, the better the birds perform.
 

Show turkey pre-brood dates

• 2 weeks prior: visit with your Purina^® dealer about feeding plans
• 1 week prior: set-up and equip the broiler house with litter and all equipment.  
• Test all equipment including lights, heat lamps, feeders, waterers, etc.
• 3 days prior: begin heating the broiler house - the key to a good start
• 2 days prior: check progress of pre-brood temperatures. Make final adjustments if needed.
• 12 hours prior to receiving birds, add feed to feeders. Prepare vitamin/electrolyte solution and place in waterer.

Receiving show turkeys

Receive birds and confirm band numbers at time of placement in the house. Call the Ag Teacher/CEA within 24 hours of placing the birds if there are discrepancies with band numbers and/or bird health issues. De-snood the poults at a day of age to help reduce future social and cannibalism pressures in the house.

What to feed show turkeys

Feeding show turkeys: Week 1

Feeding show turkeys: Week 3

Feeding show turkeys: Week 4

Feeding show turkeys: Week 8

Feeding show turkeys: Week 9

 

Selecting the bird the day before show

Show turkey pen selection

Click here to download feeding strategy pdf.