A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[duluthralphie]

Turkey Bedtime is terrible. I have no idea how you all do it so easily.

The night before last we were at our grandkids and did not get home until midnight. I was nervous all evening with the door to the coop open and figured I would have turkeys everywhere. I got home and every turkey was inside the coop.

All were safe.


Last night It was nearly dark and I had 2 turkeys on the fence rail. I snuck out to get them in. As soon as the turkeys on the roosts saw me they came running out to me, so I had a dozen turkeys outside that refused to go inside. It took me 10 minutes of chasing to get them inside. I actually had all but one stupid hen inside, and the rest came out to see what was going on. She was squatting and offering herself to me but would not let me pick her up. I really hate turkey bedtime!

 

[R2elk]

Rjohns, post pictures of said hens/toms. We can try guessing! Make sure you include pics of the chest feathers.

Feathers are starting to poke out of the ends of Annie's pins on her neck. Mind you, the pins go from her ears all the way down her neck. And they are pretty long. Its funny looking with the little red tufts at the ends. As if she couldnt get odder looking! I'll try to get pics.

It was in the high 40's today. Mostly sunny but with a stiff wind making it uncomfortable to be outside. Looked out the back door and saw two turkey heads looking out of the door of the garage. I had the side door open. Walked down there to find both hens sitting side by side in the patch of sunlight streaming through the door. They had found a way to enjoy the sun out of the wind. They started chirping excitingly when they saw me like a couple of little kids. But didn't bother to get off their fat butts. I got the impression they thought themselves exceedingly clever.

If turkeys have such thoughts!

We had the same weather here but saying it was a stiff wind would be under stating the situation. The ground is still frozen so there is water laying on top of ice everywhere.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

Ralph-they just love you so much that there can't contain themselves when they see you coming lol. My biggest issue with getting them in is Adam chasing Romeo out while I'm trying to chase them in. It's always a hassle. The girls don't like to even go past him because he'll chase them too.he's a raging monster at bedtime.

Still no pips on the turkey eggs but I'm watching them close! Hopefully soon

 

[R2elk]

Turkey Bedtime is terrible. I have no idea how you all do it so easily.

The night before last we were at our grandkids and did not get home until midnight. I was nervous all evening with the door to the coop open and figured I would have turkeys everywhere. I got home and every turkey was inside the coop.

All were safe.


Last night It was nearly dark and I had 2 turkeys on the fence rail. I snuck out to get them in. As soon as the turkeys on the roosts saw me they came running out to me, so I had a dozen turkeys outside that refused to go inside. It took me 10 minutes of chasing to get them inside. I actually had all but one stupid hen inside, and the rest came out to see what was going on. She was squatting and offering herself to me but would not let me pick her up. I really hate turkey bedtime!

I had the turkeys loose the other day. They were all going away from me when I opened the gate. I hollered to get their attention and they all turned around, came back and went in the pen as I held the gate open for them.

Now my guineas are a different story. One of the guineas will either stand outside the coop or right in the coop door. As soon as that guinea spots me all the rest of the guineas come rushing back out of the coop and wait for me to get my long stick and herd them back into the coop. If I just try herding them back in they will play around and take their time. If I yell at them they will very quickly run back into the coop.

All the chickens and turkeys are currently terrified by me. I removed one tom and one rooster (in preparation for breeding season) and they all seem frightened that each one of them may be next.

 

[duluthralphie]

I had the turkeys loose the other day. They were all going away from me when I opened the gate. I hollered to get their attention and they all turned around, came back and went in the pen as I held the gate open for them.

Now my guineas are a different story. One of the guineas will either stand outside the coop or right in the coop door. As soon as that guinea spots me all the rest of the guineas come rushing back out of the coop and wait for me to get my long stick and herd them back into the coop. If I just try herding them back in they will play around and take their time. If I yell at them they will very quickly run back into the coop.

All the chickens and turkeys are currently terrified by me. I removed one tom and one rooster (in preparation for breeding season) and they all seem frightened that each one of them may be next.

It is funny how different everyone's flocks are. My guineas while not the first into the coop go in without issue. They are in 45 minutes or more before I put the turkeys in. Part of my problem is keeping my turkeys and chicken in the same coop. The chicken go in on their own, but they do not go in until almost dark. If I wait that long with the turkeys they are in trees and electric poles settled in for the night. I have an enclose pen off the coop I could lock the turkeys in but I hate to do that because so many of them like to roost inside the coop and not out in the weather.

 

[R2elk]

It is funny how different everyone's flocks are. My guineas while not the first into the coop go in without issue. They are in 45 minutes or more before I put the turkeys in. Part of my problem is keeping my turkeys and chicken in the same coop. The chicken go in on their own, but they do not go in until almost dark. If I wait that long with the turkeys they are in trees and electric poles settled in for the night. I have an enclose pen off the coop I could lock the turkeys in but I hate to do that because so many of them like to roost inside the coop and not out in the weather.

That is one of the differences with my turkeys. Mine are never put in the coop. They roost in the pen and the chickens roost in the coop.

This year starting the 1st of February three turkeys will be in the coop since I don't have any other way of separating the Sweetgrass and the Slates. The Sweetgrass tom and hen and one Blue Slate hen will move into the coop. This will allow me to make more Sweetgrass along with an assortment of Tri-color Mottled Blacks and Tri-color Mottled Slates.

 

[duluthralphie]

That is one of the differences with my turkeys. Mine are never put in the coop. They roost in the pen and the chickens roost in the coop.

This year starting the 1st of February three turkeys will be in the coop since I don't have any other way of separating the Sweetgrass and the Slates. The Sweetgrass tom and hen and one Blue Slate hen will move into the coop. This will allow me to make more Sweetgrass along with an assortment of Tri-color Mottled Blacks and Tri-color Mottled Slates.

Are you NPIP? I would like a sweetgrass. BUT I need it like I need another hole in my head....

 

[R2elk]

Are you NPIP? I would like a sweetgrass. BUT I need it like I need another hole in my head....

Sorry, or maybe I should say that you are lucky because I am not NPIP. I have no intention of becoming NPIP because I only sell locally and I do not want to follow all the regs that NPIP requires. I also do not show and have no interest in showing any poultry. I have a very healthy flock and cull very quickly anything out of the ordinary or anything I wouldn't use as a breeder.

 

[duluthralphie]

Sorry, or maybe I should say that you are lucky because I am not NPIP. I have no intention of becoming NPIP because I only sell locally and I do not want to follow all the regs that NPIP requires. I also do not show and have no interest in showing any poultry. I have a very healthy flock and cull very quickly anything out of the ordinary or anything I wouldn't use as a breeder.

I understand that.

I was hoping, The paper work is a pain in the butt and starting this year the turkeys have to be tested every 3 months.

 

[Bantambird]

Since you are in Wyoming we are neighbors. I'd better not let Esther see what sweetgrass turkeys look like or we will be driving south.