A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[Finnie]

Finnie - Cinnamon is a handsome boy! And poor Muffin - that's quite the molt going on

Thank you Countrygirl and Feisty. Yeah, every day I've been watching Muffin get bald patches and then pinny patches. She will be so pretty when it's all over. For the past few months, she has looked just so dirty and tattered.

Coconut went through a huge molt, too, back in August, and just before I traded him, I noticed that for the first time since I got him in February, he had a complete tail. His new owners think he is gorgeous, which he is, of course!

Ralphie, I hope your birds do well at the show this weekend! I visited the Central Indiana Poultry show last weekend, for my first time seeing what a poultry show was like. They actually had a handful of turkeys there. Some were Bourbon Reds, and that made me want one, because they were very pretty. I couldn't believe it when I got a call later that same day from the lady with Cinnamon. (Coconut had been on Craigslist for a few weeks with my offer to trade him for a different male.)

 

[OneMountainAcres]

Looks like Dinner is moving on to his new home tomorrow along with two hens. I'm going to be sad to see him go. He's such a sweet heart but Romeo is just a tad more affectionate than him so he's my keeper. That will bring my flock down from 14 to 11 and then once thanksgiving comes, I'll be down to 10. 8 hens and 2 toms. Next spring, I'll be keeping a buff tom to raise out and replace Adam. He will be Thanksgiving next year. The lady that's getting Dinner and his ladies lost her tom and now has one very lonely hen. Hopefully, these guys are good for her.

 

[desertmarcy]

Our local poultry club is having a 'yard' show tomorrow. It is sanctioned, though, and being held at a local park. I was almost ready to forgo my entry fees, it was soooo hot today. 93 in the shade. So I waited until almost dark to go get the chickens boxed up. I'm taking 2 turkeys, I can't fit more than that in my truck. I couldn't even fit two if I used crates. So I tied some big pieces of cardboard to the headrests, made an "L" out of one as a divider, and plan to just take the two loose in the extra cab behind the front seats. My, my, I hope that works. I put plastic down on the floor and some old sheets so they have a soft place and hopefully once I'm moving, they will just settle. I doubt there will be 10 turkeys there, the minimum needed to get any points. But who knows, there is another breeder in town who may take a bunch since they have a bigger truck. I have entered a Standard Bronze tom and a Royal Palm tom, both last year's birds.

 

[countrygirl1178]

Lots and lots of luck on all fronts in that endeavor let us know how you made out or if you need some good cleaning solutions LOL

 

[duluthralphie]

I would think turkeys would enjoy riding in the front seat! Roll the window down a little and they might even hang their heads out the door like a dog.



I had the winning turkey at the show most the day yesterday. Then other people started bring turkeys in. darn.

She still looks good in there. I just hope she is not too nervous or wild. If the judge tries to pick Blue up he will be sorry. She is not a lapper or even a tolerant. I have a hard time carrying her, strangers will have no chance.

Next year, if I am still around, I hope to bring more. There was a guy bringing in some royal palms as I left, I think mine have his beat, but I am a tad prejudice.

I had to stop at the hardware and get a bolt/pin after I had loaded Blue into the kennel for transport. She was yelling her head off that she was being kidnapped. A couple guys came out on the way to their truck and asked if I was there to pick up the plucker.

I said "no, I came to get shotgun shells, I was going turkey hunting"

They looked at me strangely and the one said " what"

I just said " yeah I find a turkey hen makes a better turkey call than I do". Then went inside. I am pretty sure the game warden got a call about the guy using a live turkey as bait and a turkey call......

Also everyone at the gas pumps will look at you if you have a screaming turkey in your truck, They do not say anything,, but do look at you like you might be a tad touched.

 

[chickadoodles]

When I took 3 turkey to Florida from Alabama a 3 1/2 hr. drive I put three turkey (1 tom and 2 hens) in a large dog crate with hay in the bottom for them to lay in and keep them from sliding around or broke legs. We did put a heavy tarp over the top and three sides. And they behaved and made the trip in perfect shape. The new owner was totally excited to see how well they looked when we got there.
Just posting for anyone that might be interested. All three were full size turkey.

 

[memphis]

Good luck Ralphie! Can't wait to hear how things go! I've never had issues moving my turkeys in a dog crate either. Annie does yell for awhile, but then settles down. And they don't mind being bathed. I think they rather enjoy it.

 

[R2elk]

Dueling gobbles

Are you looking at me?

Bearded hen

 

[R2elk]

Sweetgrass tom that got to stay.

Sweetgrass tom that went to his new home today.

Sweetgrass tom and hen with Self Blue toms

Sweetgrass tom and hen and Self Blue tom

Sweetgrass tom

Sweetgrass tom

Sweetgrass tom and hen

 

[stephcraig78]

Hey all, haven't been on in awhile. Just read through several pages of chat I missed. We are now certain our two turkeys are both hens. We have 6 chicken hens and one rooster. All but our one silkie hen have been seen laying. Not sure why we haven't seen her lay yet. The turkeys are big and beautiful now. They are pretty skittish and don't let us handle them unless it's by force. Have had to catch them a couple times and it was a very difficult task. One thing I was wondering that I'm sure you all will be able to help with-how do I know if a hen has gone broody? Our two buff orpingtons were first to lay and are very regular. Last few days one of them is sitting on the best when I go to collect eggs. She won't get up and I have to reach under to get the eggs. First day I got the usual 4 eggs from under her. Then next day was only 2 and today there is one. After I root her around and get the eggs she will eventually come out and eat and drink. Any clue what she is doing?