A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

SarahGfa said:

Do they still sell hatching eggs?

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I just tried to check Kevin’s web site and it is under construction.

I visit it pretty often as I like to geek out on his genetics/ color calculator (that it comes back w the new web site!!!!)

....but I don’t remember seeing hatching eggs for sale there. Just poults as available, and I believe his minimum order is 15 poults.

I will also say. I’m no pro. I’ve had ducklings and poults from feed stores, from my own incubation efforts, 2 other big hatcheries, and Porters.

The poults that came from Porters were the most healthy, sassy, and thriving babies I’ve ever had, even after shipping. Not that any of the others were doing poorly, but those babies def were a completely different level of quality- and I will absolutely be ordering there again in the future.

If you want to order, can you maybe find someone in your area that would want to split the order, if you don’t have room for that many?

HeritageFan said:

If you want to order, can you maybe find someone in your area that would want to split the order, if you don’t have room for that many?

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I want to order! But I'm worried about shipped poults . they are so fragile and it is a long way to travel. I don't think I could handle it if I received a box of half-dead poults.

HeritageFan said:

If I thought the answer was yes, I would have them already
I love my big Holland White toms, who do get that big if I let them grow out to 6-9 months. My bourbon red Toms take more like 16-18 mos to reach “full” size- although all are a good butcher weight at the 25-28 week mark.

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Does every variety have a fixed size and growth rate? I don't really want a 40 pound royal palm turkey, but i am curious how someone could create one. I thought royal palm is the smallest variety.

SarahGfa said:

There is an ebay listing for Royal palm hatching eggs. The seller says his royal palms weigh 37-40 lbs. Can royal palms really get that big?

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Not pure Royal Palms.

SarahGfa said:

Do they still sell hatching eggs?

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The last I saw, they had stopped selling hatching eggs. However you never know what they will do if you contact them and give your reasons.

HeritageFan said:

IMO. The HW is the best bird for your buck when it comes to heritage varieties that grow quickly, become beautifully finished dressed birds for the table, and are a recognized breed of a 4H or FFA kiddo is looking for a fair project...

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They are a recognized variety of the breed Turkey. The APA only recognizes one breed - Turkey, but they recognize 8 Varieties.

HeritageFan said:

I have brought in Sweetgrass this summer, and am very excited to see how they grow out/ how much time they need based on the varieties behind them.
So I’ll have to get back to you on those guys/ gals.

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The Sweetgrass are getting smaller due to the infusion of Royal Palms. The only difference in color genetics between a Sweetgrass and a Royal Palm is the Narragansett gene that Royal Palms carry. If you need to bring in fresh bloodlines to Sweetgrass, you can do so by breeding a Sweetgrass tom to Royal Palm hens. All the female offspring will be pure Sweetgrass because a Royal Palm hen cannot pass her Narragansett gene on to her female offspring. You eliminate all the male offspring because while pheontypically they will be Sweetgrass, they will all be carrying one Narragansett gene.

SarahGfa said:

I want to order! But I'm worried about shipped poults . they are so fragile and it is a long way to travel. I don't think I could handle it if I received a box of half-dead poults.

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The poults I ordered last year came with one dead one in the box. Porter quickly refunded my money for it. The rest all were healthy and alive when they left my possession months later.

You have a far better chance with ordered poults than you do with hatching eggs.

SarahGfa said:

Does every variety have a fixed size and growth rate? I don't really want a 40 pound royal palm turkey, but i am curious how someone could create one. I thought royal palm is the smallest variety.

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Royal Palms were used to recreate the smallest variety - Midget Whites.

SarahGfa said:

I want to order! But I'm worried about shipped poults . they are so fragile and it is a long way to travel. I don't think I could handle it if I received a box of half-dead poults.

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That isn’t going to happen
My first shipped poults were a mixed batch that came from NM to OR
16 was the minimum order. 2 were lost in shipping and immediately refunded by the hatchery. They arrived basically overnight.
Next was 6 ducklings, Indiana to Or. 1 was lost. That hatchery offers smaller shipments, but I elected a refund over having their minimum of two ship...
My order from Porters brought a box of 16 sassy poults that arrived in great condition. Also basically overnight to OR.
Yes, I had to go pick them all up at my “local” post office. (All of the ordered birds)
But - they called me once they were there, I just had to have an ID w a photo and my address, and pick up was no problem.

I always take a fresh box w clean bedding when I go, and a little dish - some water when receiving in summer. It’s about 35m to ge to the EDU from home.... so
I’m sure that wouldn’t really make a difference in the scope of the trip, but it’s nice to swap them to a fresh box, let them have a drink if they need it (I am rarely refused), and take them home to the brooder