Poults are brooded later in the year than chicks. Turkeys require 24 - 28 weeks to reach good eating condition, so the time for starting them them is determined by the time you wish to eat them.
Smaller breeds mature in about 6 months and larger breeds such as the broad breasted, require an additional month. April 15 for the larger breeds and May 15 for the smaller breeds.
Because of the feed they eat, it is recommended to kill in prime condition at the 6 or 7 months old recommendation, rather than keep them alive. The meat also is in prime condition at that time and could toughen or change if kept too long. Plus they would eat a lot more feed, which by today's prices is just money out the window. Economically speaking, it is best to raise them to prime condition, then freeze them.
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