Cackle Hatchery Blog

The Narragansett was one of the earliest domestic turkey varieties in the American colonies. Once commonly found foraging in colonial farmyards, Narragansett turkeys eventually lost favor to faster growing and therefore more cost-effective industrially developed broad-breasted turkeys. Today, however, these picture-perfect Pilgrim-era turkeys are making a comeback due to their exceptional hardiness, self-sufficiency, and superior […]

Choosing between heritage vs. broad breast turkeys can be confusing. Although they both come from the same genetic background, they differ in many ways. The former can mate naturally, is slower growing, and smaller in size. The latter grow more quickly and weigh more, but breeding them requires artificial insemination. Plus, largely because of differences […]

Starve-out occurs when turkey poults (baby turkeys) fail to eat. As a result they literally starve to death. But, as dire as it sounds, preventing starve-out is not difficult with proper poult management. Reasons for Starve-Out Poults learn how to eat from the mama hen. Since chicks are quicker learners than poults, “I recommend including […]

More than chicks, turkey poults (baby turkeys) can be tricky to brood. Even though they’re bigger than chicks, they’re much more delicate. They are extremely sensitive to temperature changes, dampness, and drafts. And they have a lesser instinct for danger. “Let’s face it,” says Jeff Smith of Cackle Hatchery®, “turkey poults are not the brightest.” […]

What is the best turkey mating ratio for good fertility? That’s a question many first-time turkey keepers ask. Often as not, they get many different answers. Here’s why: Turkey Type The first thing to consider is the type of turkeys in question. If they are a broad-breasted type, forget it. These industrial size turkeys are […]

Turkeys are much bigger than chickens and therefore would seem to be unlikely as companion animals. Nonetheless, they are becoming ever more popular as outdoor pets. Here are some reasons why turkeys make good pets: Why Turkeys Make Good Pets A turkey makes a good pet for many of the same reasons a cat or […]

Many turkey breeds are available to choose from. Although turkeys are typically considered to be primarily meat birds, some of the heritage varieties have become popular in the showroom. In selecting the best breed for your particular situation, consider three basic criteria. Size Matters A dressed turkey must conveniently fit into your refrigerator while it […]

Turkey poults and guinea keets are difficult to sex, and therefore are typically sold as straight run. The males and females of both species, within the same breed or variety, look pretty much alike until they are nearly mature. Sexing Turkeys As turkey poults grow, you can take an educated guess as to which gender […]

Wild turkeys, indigenous to the Americas, were kept by Native Americans for centuries before the arrival of Europeans. Early Spanish explorers are credited with transporting American turkeys to Europe. There the birds were selectively bred for a couple of centuries before being brought back to America by early settlers. From those birds sprang the domestic […]

Gobble, gobble! Thanksgiving is tomorrow, which means we’re talking turkey! If you’re one of the many Americans who will be gathering around the table with distant relatives who come around just a few times each year, you know that conversation doesn’t always flow easily.   Looking to avoid topics such as politics, your love life, […]

The Royal Palm is a lightweight turkey with stunning white plumage trimmed in black. Turkeys with a similar color pattern have been raised in Europe since the 1700s, known there variously as black-laced white, pied, or Crollwitzer.   The first turkeys in the United States with the palm color pattern appeared in the 1920s in […]

Conventional wisdom says you should never keep turkeys and chickens together, because turkeys are susceptible to blackhead, a disease with devastating consequences. However, lots of backyarders raise chickens and turkeys together without a problem, and with some benefits. Here are three good reasons to keep turkeys with chickens, and two reasons not to. Thumbs Up […]