A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[Futz]

My recommendation is to get some Blu-Kote and spray her wound with it. You may already know this but broad breasted turkeys were developed strictly for use as food. They do not have a long life span like the heritage turkeys can have.

I've been using Vetrycin (sp?) spray and some antibiotics in her water from the vet. And yeah, I did know that about BBs...but like I said a couple posts back, the ones I intended to breed should have not been BB. Either way, I'm keeping my hen as long as nature allows her to live a happy healthy life. She at least gives me eggs, so its Mr.Tom that has to go.

 

[R2elk]

I've been using Vetrycin (sp?) spray and some antibiotics in her water from the vet. And yeah, I did know that about BBs...but like I said a couple posts back, the ones I intended to breed should have not been BB. Either way, I'm keeping my hen as long as nature allows her to live a happy healthy life. She at least gives me eggs, so its Mr.Tom that has to go.

If you can keep her healthy and can find a heritage tom, they have been known to breed successfully.

The Blu-Kote acts as a protective coating.

 

[14 bobwhitequai]

So I want to get a pair of poults for pets having babies would be nice not huge turkies good temperament and a ornamental breed for more of better pet selling of the poults
What breed do you recommend and how much indoor out door space would one hen one Tom need to happy and healthy and fit would you beaver to post pics of your pen please thanks

 

[Futz]

So I want to get a pair of poults for pets having babies would be nice not huge turkies good temperament and a ornamental breed for more of better pet selling of the poults
What breed do you recommend and how much indoor out door space would one hen one Tom need to happy and healthy and fit would you beaver to post pics of your pen please thanks

I have my pair in a pen that is approx. 8x10 with an attached lean-to that is approx 4x8. The lean-to provides just enough room for the two of them to eat comfortably and hide from the rain and wind. I don't keep mine locked in their pen unless I have to (away for the day) and so they get plenty of roaming space around the yard. If I were to keep them in the pen more, I would probably expand it to at least double what it is now just so they have some room to spread out.
Don't get a broad-breasted if you're looking to keep as pets/breeders. As I just recently learned, they don't breed so well.

I would like to get a Blue Slate or a Bourbon Red to keep. I think they are beautiful.

Sorry I wasn't much help. I'll try to get a pic of my pen later. I've been meaning to take a couple anyways.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

They can strike very quickly.  It is prudent to wear a coat and gloves.

Nest sharing doesn't usually work out well.  The wrangling over the poults often ends with squashed poults.  Also since you are not separating them from the tom, he will take advantage of them laying down and assume that is permission to attempt to breed them.  This frequently results in smashed eggs and injured hens.

Thanks for the info. I don't think Adam can get in to try to mate them, just by the way the nest is set up so I'm not too worried about that. He has his other 3 girls to keep him busy and sticks worn them everywhere. I was going to give Pebbles a couple chicks this weekend if I have a decent hatch but since you said about the fighting, I think I'll move her to the other nest, then give them to her. I'll see if that works out. She can't stay broody forever.

I put all my money on me to win. Sarah may be scary but she can't beat me!

 

[R2elk]

Thanks for the info. I don't think Adam can get in to try to mate them, just by the way the nest is set up so I'm not too worried about that. He has his other 3 girls to keep him busy and sticks worn them everywhere. I was going to give Pebbles a couple chicks this weekend if I have a decent hatch but since you said about the fighting, I think I'll move her to the other nest, then give them to her. I'll see if that works out. She can't stay broody forever.

I put all my money on me to win. Sarah may be scary but she can't beat me!

If you want the chicks to have a chance to survive, wait until they are at least a week old before giving them to her.

 

[duluthralphie]

If you want the chicks to have a chance to survive, wait until they are at least a week old before giving them to her.

I agree, Turkey Mom's are a tad clumsy. I have to avoid Ethel when she has babies or move her fast if I want to see the babies. She will turn to look at me and stand right on their necks. She kicks them as she walks. They are little soccer balls to her big feet.


Aurora I love the way you think you can beat Sarah, it is so cute and naïve....

 

[OneMountainAcres]

If you want the chicks to have a chance to survive, wait until they are at least a week old before giving them to her.

Won't they not bond to her if I do that?

I agree,  Turkey Mom's are a tad clumsy.  I have to avoid Ethel when she has babies or move her fast if I want to see the babies.  She will turn to look at me and stand right on their necks. She kicks them as she walks. They are little soccer balls to her big feet.


Aurora I love the way you think you can beat Sarah, it is  so cute and naïve....

I beat her this morning lol. I pulled her from the nest and tried to put her in the other one instead. She cried and freaked out but I moved her. She didn't stay though. I almost guarantee that she's right back in there worth Pebbles by now lol

 

[duluthralphie]

Won't they not bond to her if I do that?
I beat her this morning lol. I pulled her from the nest and tried to put her in the other one instead. She cried and freaked out but I moved her. She didn't stay though. I almost guarantee that she's right back in there worth Pebbles by now lol

You might have to physically put her in a pen she cannot get out of to keep her off that nest. Be prepared to hear lots of protests if you do that.

 

[R2elk]

Won't they not bond to her if I do that?
I beat her this morning lol. I pulled her from the nest and tried to put her in the other one instead. She cried and freaked out but I moved her. She didn't stay though. I almost guarantee that she's right back in there worth Pebbles by now lol

They will bond just fine and will have a much better chance of survival. I have done this repeatedly with one to two week old poults. There is no problem getting the little ones to bond with the hen. The biggest problem can be getting the hen to bond with the little ones. When I do it, I place the hen and the poults in a large area and let the hen decide if she wants the poults. If she is still broody enough, she will round up all of the little ones and if not, she will normally avoid them. I always observe until I see the hen accept the little ones to make sure nothing goes wrong.

I never try to move a turkey and her nest. Wait until you are ready to give her the chicks and you will have a much better chance of getting her to move.