Albino Midget White

TV said:

That's not correct exactly. If it is a true albino then the skin will also lack any pigmentation and be much more susceptible to damage from sunlight. turkeys have quite a little exposed skin on the head and neck. An albino would need more protection from sun exposure.

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I got this visual image of a turkey with a little bonnet on her head. Now wouldn't that be adorable!

Thank you laturcotte1 and Naturegirl for the comments. I think she is beautiful. (Of course I think all of my turkeys are beautiful.) She has finally started to learn to fly. The others in her group are flying a lot already. She seems very contented to be with the chicks She's still growing slowly, but she is getting so much more sociable. She used to act very afraid of me while the other turkeys have been big spoiled babies. I guess she has finally decided I am there to take care of her.
Speaking of underdogs I also have a little pullet who was hatched by a broodie and had severe leg splaying. I failed to get it fixed so one of her feet is actually upside down. I took her from the hen so she could survive. She has mastered standing on one foot and scoots along with her good leg. DH said that the one thing she can't do is scratch for food like the others. That is true. I have over 400 birds but I don't cull the ones that are well enough and have the will to live. I've had hospital cages in my house more often than not, even though the idea of that grosses out most of my family and friends. I've always been that way.
No I don't condone breeding bad traits but every bird has it's usefullness. I also have a duck that got a broken back at a very young age. She had to be separated because she couldn't keep up with the flock and would end up lost. She walks really funny but she has gone on to be one of my very best egg layers and produces beautiful chicks when I'm hatching.

chicken danz said:

I got this visual image of a turkey with a little bonnet on her head. Now wouldn't that be adorable!

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Maybe you should make her one. But be sure to post pictures!

PS: I know it says there's a spoiler. There isn't. I can't figure out of to get rid of it.

Oregon Blues said:

It's a Midget White. It's supposed to be small. The smaller Midget Whites aren't culls, they are the breeding stock.

There is no reason to cull her unless she is showing signs of ill health or pain.

Lots of albino animals have no issues with their eye sight. It's not the color of the iris that is doing the seeing, it is the light receptors in the pupil.

The only issues I've ever seen with albino animals (rats, ferrets, horses) is that the unpigmented skin sunburns easily. So exposed skin, mostly around the eyes might need some protection. I'd keep an eye on her neck, watching for sunburn. But if she has access to shade, she might be OK.

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I AGREE!

I think that sounds like a great Easter project! I think I could probably do that just for fun! I made and elf hat for a chicken at Christmas time!
She wouldn't keep it on so I put it, a scarf,and a pair of velcro hooked mittens on a metal chicken statue in the house! I lack time to get productive projects done so I waste time doing silly things like that.

I would LOVE an albino Turkey! She is perfect as a midget white, since the point is to be super little anyway. As long as she's healthy and happy, she deserves a chance to have her little life just as much as anyone else.

If you DO decide you don't want her, I will happily buy her, RIGHT NOW. I am looking for midget white poults, and can't seem to find any nearby.

Does anyone know of a lead on baby midgets? My incubator will be tied up for some time, so need babies with feet.

I should have poults in the spring. It took me forever to find any midgets. I still have the albino. I keep her with some orpingtons. She is mostly blind so she follows their shadows to know where to find food and water. She can't be with the other turkeys because they pick on her. I figure I will just eat her eggs when she starts laying. She is a really sweet bird. Her only problem is her albinism caused her vision problems. If I could buy her a pair of tinted prescription glasses to wear she would be fine. I feel sorry for her but she and the chickens get along great. They have kind of adopted her.