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  1. emptynesterMom

    Rehoming adult turkeys - issues to consider?

    Hello, I'm not a turkey expert by any means, but this is how I introduced adult birds into my flock. Last spring I rescued a pair of 2-3yr old bourbon reds. I quarantined them for a month from my original flock while addressing their health issues. Next, I had them in a run next to my other...
  2. emptynesterMom

    Dog killed my chickens, I killed the dog

    One thing that has been very useful for keeping my flock safer in their run, is a hot wire run about 18 inches off the ground and another one at the top of the 6 foot enclosure. I have seen a couple of neighbors dogs hit the wire and they have never been back for a second try. So far, I have not...
  3. emptynesterMom

    How do you keep your feed costs down!!?

    I have been wanting to try fermented feed for my birds, but was unsure if I should wait until the weather is warmer. Do you keep your fermenting feed in the house or in the coop? I am in VA and the temps are 20s-30s at night and 40s-50s during the day. Is that too cool to keep the fermentation...
  4. emptynesterMom

    Injured Turkey any suggestions?

    One of my turkey hens tangled with a coyote early this morning. She has a cut above her hock that is completely through the skin and partially gloved that portion of her leg. I cleaned the wound with a weak betadine solution and coated it with Nustock. I considered suturing the wound but was...
  5. emptynesterMom

    looking to start raising turkeys...

    My birds are similar to KuntryGirls in that some roost on my 6' fence, some are on the roof peak of the barn, and a few in with the chickens. The hens are very curious and will investigate everything, including the swimming pool. By the way, they can swim quite well, just don't tell my DH how I...
  6. emptynesterMom

    What Hatchery Has Best Bourbons?

    This is the BR Tom I kept from McMurray. No the dog isn't after him, he is after the dog. Lol. Fortunately the dog is a big baby and very fast. Runs away quickly.
  7. emptynesterMom

    Disappointing Turkey

    I haven't smoked a turkey yet, but when I have processed one of my heritage breeds early they don't seem to have the layer of fat that I see in my birds who are over 9 months old. If he had just gobbled and hadn't begun to strut yet, I think he was probably on the young side to have finished his...
  8. emptynesterMom

    processing older turkeys

    I've seen quite a few posts about processing older hens but none about turkeys. What age are they considered "older"? (mine are heritage breed not BB) How would you cook them; low and slow or grind for turkey burgers? Thanks
  9. emptynesterMom

    Want to Start Raising Turkeys with my Chickens

    I have had a mixed flock of chickens and turkeys for the last year and a half. My shipped turkey poults were way more fragile than the shipped chicks. They had trouble learning to drink and then when they found the water, one fell in less than a 1/2 inch of water and drowned. So, I now put...
  10. emptynesterMom

    He thinks he's sexy, NOT

    Thanks guys, I'll post pic when he is fully feathered again. In spite of the way he looks now, I am really pleased with his progress. When I got him in the early summer, he had been raised in a raised wire cage all of his life. His feet were in terrible condition, swollen to twice the normal...
  11. emptynesterMom

    Breeding turkeys?

    Lagerdogger, Thank you for answering my unasked question. I have a bourbon red hen who apparently took a walk on the wild side early last spring. I have a beautiful teenage hen with the colors of, what I now know is, a Red Bronze. Shoot, I wish they bred true to the same color - she really is...
  12. emptynesterMom

    What kinds of treats do turkeys like?

    Hello Shiny, My birds like a variety of treats: watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, tomatoes, any fruit a little too ripe, left over breakfast oatmeal, and a few sunflowerseeds. I don't give them potatoes, onions, or garlic, I've read that that is not good for them. I usually toss it in the...
  13. emptynesterMom

    He thinks he's sexy, NOT

    This is RT formerly rescue tom, now ratty tom. Have you ever seen a more bedraggled boy. Lol. He struts around like he still has a full set of feathers and he is sooo proud.
  14. emptynesterMom

    Anyone used this plucker?

    I haven't used it yet, but I bought one like this off of ebay. It was packaged poorly and arrived broken but salvagable (I hope). I didn't know it was being shipped from the Ukraine and it was too expensive to return. I have chalked it up to a lesson learned. I will be processing in mid November...
  15. emptynesterMom

    Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

    Hello All, I'm a newbie and have been lurking here for a while trying to learn all that I can. I am a little confused about the correct coloring for a golden cuckoo marans. I have looked at the past images posted here and on the marans of America Club, and of various breeders. In the pictures...
  16. emptynesterMom

    Butchered my turkeys today...

    Hello This is the brine recipe that I use, but there are many out there. 1 gallon vegetable broth, 1 cup sea salt, 1 TBSP crushed rosemary, 1TBSP dried sage, 1TBSP thyme, 1 TBSP dried savory. Combine and bring to a boil, stir frequently to make sure salt dissolves. Cool to room temperature...
  17. emptynesterMom

    Butchered my turkeys today...

    So sorry you had such a bad time:( I use a large killing cone and a very sharp knife. I cut the carotid artery just like you would with a chicken. I do have my son help me catch them and place them in the cone because of their size but other wise very similar to a chicken IMO. The first time I...
  18. emptynesterMom

    Cooking Turkey for Thanksgiving?

    Mmmmm, This sounds yummy. I'll have to give this a try too. Thanks, Cheryl
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