RootsieTootsie
In the Brooder
I have (2) turkeys, a hen "Honeysuckle" and a tom "Butterball". I "acquired" them about 3 years ago when a friend just drove up out of the blue, his 2 young boys in tow, and a medium size plastic pet kennel in the truck bed. Crammed inside the kennel were 2 very ugly, adolescent, buzzard like creatures that I ultimately offered sanctuary to (to prevent them from filling the friends freezer). When 2 boys beg you to "swaaave da burrrdsss", you find yourself a willing but disgruntled turkey momma. I now love my turkeys, who turned out to be my "gateway birds".
My question is, what breed are these daggone things? I just can't decide. I was told that the guy our friend got them from had bought them as poults from a feed store (presumably TSC or SS). I think they are likely Broad-breasted due to that, but I really hope to find they are Heritage/standard. (Crossing fingers).
They are big and beautiful now, but I may be partial. Butter probably weighs near 40 lbs and has double beards (mentioning that since I'm not sure if that is just a general turkey characteristic or breed specific). Honey is probably around 30ish lbs. I have no way to weigh them, that's my guess by holding them.
Honey lays eggs; if not gathered she will most likely crush them and even if she doesn't crush them she is major broody and won't eat/drink even if I put dishes by her nest unless I take the eggs. When she gets going, she has an egg a day unless it's really hot and humid and just plain miserable out. When gathered and cracked open, her eggs have been known to sometimes have "blood spots". I know some say that indicates fertilization, while some say that is just something that occurs and does not have anything to do with fertilization.
Butter is a handful; he just won't leave her be, except in winter. At times, I have to seperate them because he will rub her sides raw to the point I have to clean and apply vetericyn vf to the areas. It's near impossible for me to tell if he is ever successful, but he sure gets an A+ for effort!
I have compared photos and read descriptions off/on and I just don't know if I'm hoping for Heritage/standard so badly that I'm in denial that they are clearly Broad-breasted, or if I'm just over-thinking this and they are clearly Heritage/standard???? They are here for life regardless, but I wouldn't mind to incubate some eggs to grow my flock if it is worth the effort (if I even have a breed that can naturally mate). Thanks for any thoughts.
This is my first thread, and I hope I'm not a bother. Glad to be here!
My question is, what breed are these daggone things? I just can't decide. I was told that the guy our friend got them from had bought them as poults from a feed store (presumably TSC or SS). I think they are likely Broad-breasted due to that, but I really hope to find they are Heritage/standard. (Crossing fingers).
They are big and beautiful now, but I may be partial. Butter probably weighs near 40 lbs and has double beards (mentioning that since I'm not sure if that is just a general turkey characteristic or breed specific). Honey is probably around 30ish lbs. I have no way to weigh them, that's my guess by holding them.
Honey lays eggs; if not gathered she will most likely crush them and even if she doesn't crush them she is major broody and won't eat/drink even if I put dishes by her nest unless I take the eggs. When she gets going, she has an egg a day unless it's really hot and humid and just plain miserable out. When gathered and cracked open, her eggs have been known to sometimes have "blood spots". I know some say that indicates fertilization, while some say that is just something that occurs and does not have anything to do with fertilization.
Butter is a handful; he just won't leave her be, except in winter. At times, I have to seperate them because he will rub her sides raw to the point I have to clean and apply vetericyn vf to the areas. It's near impossible for me to tell if he is ever successful, but he sure gets an A+ for effort!
I have compared photos and read descriptions off/on and I just don't know if I'm hoping for Heritage/standard so badly that I'm in denial that they are clearly Broad-breasted, or if I'm just over-thinking this and they are clearly Heritage/standard???? They are here for life regardless, but I wouldn't mind to incubate some eggs to grow my flock if it is worth the effort (if I even have a breed that can naturally mate). Thanks for any thoughts.
This is my first thread, and I hope I'm not a bother. Glad to be here!
