A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[memphis]

 

[duluthralphie]

Tracy......

I think after reading your questions you should give up on the idea of owning a turkey. I get the feeling you think you are going to get rich on them. That will not happen with a few turkeys. I have more than a few turkeys. I lose money on turkeys, as I do on chickens. They are a hobby and pets.

I do not make money on the two lazy mutts that beg to sit on the couch every night either.. they are a pet.


I see you have over 1,000 posts so you must know something about chickens or ducks or something with feathers. I am the one person that thinks there is such a thing as a dumb question, and I cringe whenever I hear someone say there is not.. I am not saying your questions where dumb, I am saying your questions are very telling.

They tell me you are not ready for turkeys. I hope you learn some of the answers at the same time I do not think questions asked like you did will get you much useful info.

I have no idea what you mean by first aid. I do not have much in the way of first aid. I try a few basics, but to be totally honest with any bird other than JJ and Ethel first aid is an axe followed by a hot water dunk and a roasting pan. I love my turkeys, do not get me wrong, BUT I do not have a personal relationship with them that would cause me to spend much money to keep them alive. That said it is the same way with my chickens too.

Without knowing more about you and the place you expect to raise turkeys, where you live, and so forth, there is no way we can answer most your questions, you will have to do that.

If I recall you live near Reno, It has been years since I was in Reno, but as I recall it is a small city in a huge rural area. I live on the edge of the Minneapolis area. The county I live in is part of the 9 county metro area. We sold 100's of acres of our farm to building developers. The area we use to farm and play on is lots of houses.

I tell you this so you can get an idea of the potential market I have here. I cannot make money selling turkeys with as many potential customers as I have. Sure, I get good money for some turkeys, but I lose money on them every year. Lots of money. I suppose I loose 30 bucks or more a bird, but I make up for it on volume...


If you have a question please ask it, but frame it so we have a better idea what you are thinking and have to work with..


Sorry to go on so long.....thanks

 

[duluthralphie]

The pot is calling the kettle black lol. At least I only have 1 cabinet bator at max, not two like someone else I know!

My incubators are not three eggs short of being full....... so there....

I have to remove eggs today and putthem in the hatchers, and I have no eggs to go into the spots!

I really am slowing down my hatching. really... my wife is starting to get an idea of just how many birds we could have here this summer.

I m letting the turkey hens keep there eggs. Well some of them, I am only collecting JJ's girls eggs. AND I got rid of three to Coffee, btw I lost money on them too.......

 

[gevshiba]

The pot is calling the kettle black lol. At least I only have 1 cabinet bator at max, not two like someone else I know!

Some people can't admit they have a problem.

 

[duluthralphie]

Some people can't admit they have a problem.

I know, those people drive me nuts!

 

[tracyjg]

The turkey eggs can they go in any incubator you have on the market or a certain one. We have a pro series and little giant. We have the turners for chicken eggs is there other turners you can get. What is the time frame on the eggs and what is the temp and humidity on it.should be at. I like white but any heritage turkey will do. I noticed on Hatchery's there all straight run and you don't get to choice female verses males. And you don't get to have one day shipping like chickens do. Which give me a weird feeling about it. Price or based on huge quinitys. I only want 3-4 birds one male to two three hens all I have space for. And they multiply laying.

 

[tracyjg]

No one said anything on rich. I just wanted basic numbers. Basic first aid equipment . We will try to get turkeys when we can. Thanks any how.

 

[tracyjg]

My question or based on my experience raising ducks and chickens and illness we had to experience.

 

[feedman77]

The turkey eggs can they go in any incubator you have on the market or a certain one. We have a pro series and little giant. We have the turners for chicken eggs is there other turners you can get. What is the time frame on the eggs and what is the temp and humidity on it.should be at. I like white but any heritage turkey will do. I noticed on Hatchery's there all straight run and you don't get to choice female verses males. And you don't get to have one day shipping like chickens do. Which give me a weird feeling about it. Price or based on huge quinitys. I only want 3-4 birds one male to two three hens all I have space for. And they multiply laying.

They can go in any incubator. Turners for the chicken eggs are fine.

Turkey eggs take 28 days. Do the same with them as you do for chicken eggs. Humidity and temp.

Keep an eye on craigslist. There should be people selling birds on there. Or eggs.
Look for small animal swaps and auctions. At lot of farm stores may have these.

 

[duluthralphie]

I have to tell you all something I found on BYC today.

I need my incubators for hatchers today, I had those two handicap chicks I should have dispatched as soon as possible, I am a softy and hate doing it.

I found a painless clean way to do it by searching here.

I did it and it worked well. It is still not fun, but it is done with some less guilt.

I used a plastic container that coiled roofing nails came in I set the chicks in the bottom on paper towels, put a paper towel over the opening and spayed a ton of starting fluid/ ether into the towel shut the cover and they were asleep in seconds. They are still in the box, I will keep them there an hour or so to make sure they are gone.

It was quick painless and clean. Just incase any of you have to do it.