A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[feedman77]

I know this will seem callous to some, I want the weak to die off,  It makes for a stronger breeders and saves me money in the long run,,,

Agreed.

I may be mores callous than you towards my flock. I want mine pretty much exposed to everything. Wild birds, critters,dirt, weeds, new birds if I get any. The more they are exposed the better in the long run. If they pass it wasn't meant to be. Survival of the fittest so to speak.

 

[duluthralphie]

@MontainBourbons Another thing I watch for is baby turkeys eating bedding rather than food. I moved away from fine wood chips to large flakes cause they would eat the bedding not the food. I also give them a little sand and grit mixed with food early on. A friend of mine pairs each poult with 5 chicks to teach them not to commit suicide. Friends who have been in the turkey business for a long time all sware that for the first 8 weeks the only thing on the poult's mind is how to find a new way to commit suicide.

Good Point they love fine chips!

 

[rjohns39]

Agreed.

I may be mores callous than you towards my flock. I want mine pretty much exposed to everything. Wild birds, critters,dirt, weeds, new birds if I get any. The more they are exposed the better in the long run. If they pass it wasn't meant to be. Survival of the fittest so to speak.

Breeding for survival genetics is a good thing!

 

[holm25]

I put my babies on Paper Towels for the first 3 days. after that I put them on Shavings. They smell better...

 

[duluthralphie]

Breeding for survival genetics is a good thing!

When you think in humans the birth defect rate is 6% world wide and we develop in the womb for 9 months while a turkey is 28 days and a chick 21, that is a not a lot of time to work out the bugs.

Then add in the number of fetuses that spontaneously abort and the number goes up, 5-10% of chicks and poults dying is pretty darn good...compared to hmans.

 

[memphis]

MountainBourbons....sorry your going through this. Keep us posted.

Feedman we survived...but dang it was loud!

 

[memphis]

Did y'all notice Kathy already has that cute baby trained to stand on a scale?

 

[JRNash]

Hey! I resemble that remark! I live in Montana! If you made it to Billings, I might feed you some Montana beef. My folks raise red Angus.

Aww heck! Billings is where the job is!!

 

[JRNash]

Good Point they love fine chips!

Add to that,TSC sometimes has cedar in their pine shavings. Had a whole load contaminated a few weeks ago

 

[JRNash]

Bantambird, If you see anyone with Gulfspan on their truck or hats,tell them hello and your one of Nash's chicken friends!!! they should start appearing by monday