A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[KF0002]

To all today, a SOLEMN REMEMBRANCE to those who have DIED in service. And also, a BIG THANKS to all who have and currently serve.

Yes a huge resounding thank you for your service!

 

[Molpet]

Poults hatched May 1st are fighting already

 

[KF0002]

Poults hatched May 1st are fighting already

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They are sure feeling their oats today. Lol

 

[KF0002]

The grizzled chocolate painted hen and tri color mottled chocolate hen was showing off today.

 

[KF0002]

Got an 83% hatch rate on shipped painted turkey eggs. Ended up with 10 but one had to be culled. 3 whites, 1 chocolate tuxedo, 4 painted, and 1 odd one that looks like a sweetgrass. There is one bronze poult in the brooder I used to tutor the newborns to eat and drink.

 

[Huntmaster]

Been busy here lots of poults hatched and sold in last few weeks. Down to last hen sitting and will soon be done hatching for this spring. Was happy with results without plugging in my incubators. Was able to hatch out 101 poults so far with 79 sold and 22 in brooder. Also took last 3 days to finally break a few broody hens they just wouldn't give up. Destroyed nests in shed and they sat on bare floor for a day with me kicking them out 3 times a day. So, I tried putting some things in their way so they couldn't sit there but they just squeezed in anyways. After 2 more days of kicking them out 3 or more times a day and more barricades finally think I was successful. They weren't in there this eve roost time, and it's supposed to rain most of the night so that should cool them off and break them. Also hatched out 43 ducks this spring, so much easier letting ducks brood their own hatchlings as they are so messy but so cute. Glad it's all winding down time to enjoy all the new life on the farm. And maybe just plug in one of those incubators as they need dusted off anyways and hatch batch of quail.

 

[KF0002]

Been busy here lots of poults hatched and sold in last few weeks. Down to last hen sitting and will soon be done hatching for this spring. Was happy with results without plugging in my incubators. Was able to hatch out 101 poults so far with 79 sold and 22 in brooder. Also took last 3 days to finally break a few broody hens they just wouldn't give up. Destroyed nests in shed and they sat on bare floor for a day with me kicking them out 3 times a day. So, I tried putting some things in their way so they couldn't sit there but they just squeezed in anyways. After 2 more days of kicking them out 3 or more times a day and more barricades finally think I was successful. They weren't in there this eve roost time, and it's supposed to rain most of the night so that should cool them off and break them. Also hatched out 43 ducks this spring, so much easier letting ducks brood their own hatchlings as they are so messy but so cute. Glad it's all winding down time to enjoy all the new life on the farm. And maybe just plug in one of those incubators as they need dusted off anyways and hatch batch of quail.

Sounds like you've had a great year! Turkey hens are fierce mothers for sure. And determined once they are broody. My Narragansett hen is still mothering her little surrogate rooster. He's got a big high comb and is well beyond weaning age by now, and she still dotes on him and protects him like he's a newborn. It doesn't hurt a thing to let her take care of him, so I let her be. At this point, he will be crowing soon and still hanging out with his "mom." lol I'm used to chickens weaning their chicks by around 8 weeks old, then heading back to the nest to lay another clutch so this has been an interesting experience. Sassy and her little rooster are in the goat lot with the extra roosters and tom turkeys we intend to butcher, so he will eventually go in the freezer with the rest of them.

I've hatched way more poults than I thought I would and I have turkeys everywhere. Still have the Sportsman full of eggs, but I have eggs set for a couple friends. Lord willing, I will get a good number of poults raised up for breeders and meat.

You are correct that brooding ducks is nasty! I agreed to let my son keep a few ducklings I hatched for a friend and they quickly turn their pen into a swamp despite putting straw down regularly. They will be turned out to free range soon. There is a creek down below our house I'm hoping the ducks gravitate to once they are bigger. It definitely would be better to let a mother duck raise her own brood.

Good luck with your quail hatching!

 

[KF0002]

We butchered the sweetgrass tom with the crooked breast today. He was very plump and probably was one of the biggest we've butchered yet. He will provide my family with turkey and dumplings on Monday.

 

[Molpet]

We butchered the sweetgrass tom with the crooked breast today. He was very plump and probably was one of the biggest we've butchered yet. He will provide my family with turkey and dumplings on Monday.

I have found the older toms need to be rested longer for rigor mortis to pass. Traditionally weekend before Thanksgiving but I rest a week

 

[KF0002]

I have found the older toms need to be rested longer for rigor mortis to pass. Traditionally weekend before Thanksgiving but I rest a week

I parted out the meat and will pressure cook the breast until tender for dumplings. The Tom was a year old. I will be processing this years Jake’s at 6 months old because I will have so many. We will save the biggest one for Thanksgiving, probably one of the whites that was hatched from the painted eggs I hatched. They are infused with commercial broad breasted white so they are big meaty birds, even when crossed.