1. Start with a healthy turkey. Look for a turkey that is full-breasted and has a good amount of fat covering the breast and thighs.
2. Feed the turkey a high-energy diet. This means a diet that is high in protein and fat. You can feed the turkey a specially formulated turkey feed, or you can make your own diet by mixing cornmeal, soybeans, and oats.
3. Make sure the turkey has access to plenty of water. Water is essential for the turkey's digestion and metabolism.
4. Keep the turkey in a warm, dry environment. Turkeys do best in a temperature range of 55-75 degrees Fahrenheit. If the weather is cold, provide the turkey with a heat lamp or supplemental heat.
5. Give the turkey plenty of time to eat. Turkeys need about 16-20 hours of daylight per day to eat properly. If the days are short, provide the turkey with supplemental lighting.
6. Handle the turkey with care. Avoid stressing the turkey, as this can cause it to lose weight.
7. Let the turkey rest before you cook it. This will help to preserve the turkey's natural juices and make it more flavorful.
Here is a sample turkey fattening schedule:
* Weeks 1-4: Feed the turkey a high-energy diet and provide plenty of water.
* Weeks 5-12: Continue to feed the turkey a high-energy diet and provide plenty of water. Gradually increase the amount of feed you are giving the turkey each day.
* Weeks 13-16: Feed the turkey a high-energy diet and provide plenty of water. Reduce the amount of feed you are giving the turkey each day. This will help to prevent the turkey from becoming too fat.
* Week 17: Withhold food from the turkey for 24 hours before you cook it. This will help to purge the turkey's digestive system and make it more flavorful.