A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[JRNash]

Feedman,that would have probably ended my quail raising.lollol

 

[OneMountainAcres]

All this talk of how everyone butcher's has me thinking now. I am butchering excess males quail and chickens tomorrow.

I usually do the deed in front of the other birds. But I was butchering quail last year had about 50 done and 5 left. I grabbed the next participant. I got him over the bucket he turned his head looked at me . Then stretched his neck out and lowered his head. He knew what was coming. Almost spared him.

All the others acted totally unaware.

So I may keep them in the dark tomorrow.

I never could've done it. I almost cried reading that I never butcher any of my birds in the sight of any others besides those who are next (usualy only a couple at a time).

 

[Flashpoint]

I've butchered many times - but no longer unless I am literally starving. Then it will be a necessary "better you than me" situation. That said, I don't expect it to happen any time soon. All my specials are exactly that - special friends. That does not necessarily translate to all their offspring as I have no problem selling my excess and waving them on down the road. Or trading them with a friend of mine for already processed birds. I have 3 7-year old chickens that will live out their lives here, including one mean rooster. I'm sure there will be others. And as far as the turkeys go, I have decided they ARE smarter than most people I have come across. I talk to them. They talk to me - and they actually make more sense at times than I do. Most of these guys are here for my enjoyment, entertainment (and eggs!!) and it's my job to make sure they have their needs met.

Besides, I am way too old to start making my birds worry if they are "next". lol

 

[rjohns39]

To illustrate how squeamish the turkey camp day has me.... When y'all do it,do the others SEE YOU DO IT?? It doesn't bother me with the chickens. The turkeys are SMARTER. The surplus roosters are smart enough to know what a gun is. My wife didn't believe me. If I walk outside with the pellet rifle they head for the hills!!

My processing station is out of sight of their pasture and I use kill cones to keep them calm.

 

[memphis]

Hi Flashpoint...what variety of turkeys do you have?
Was on the side of the house pulling weeds. Annie & I walked back around to the front yard. Daisy was totally engaged in grazing. When she noticed we were gone she came trotting around the corner and launched. Flew across the whole yard to catch up. She had an audience. Folks across the street started clapping & yelled "Go Daisy". She sure likes to fly. Annie never flies...

 

[memphis]

Zen Hen! Annie finally decided she can hang out on the back of this bench instead of my garden gate. After grazing, several dust baths & wading in the little pond she will perch up here surveying the yard for hours. Much better than me shooing her off the gate.

 

[Flashpoint]

Hi Memphis! Well, according to R2elk and hours looking on Porter's, it seems I have a cross of Bronze and Narragansett turkeys. I'm still unsure what their colors will end up as because they keep changing on me! Both toms have a lot of silver and gray now and the two hens are more Bronze. Right now they are approx. 11 weeks old. Believe me, I am no expert but find it amazing. lol

These 4 are now spending a lot of time following me or my grandson around. If I go out and sit, then all of them stand around me - just hanging out (or looking for treats which is more likely). Yesterday, 3 of them flew up and were roosting in my Mimosa tree that is right outside my back door, but I did not have my phone on me to catch pics. I hope they do so again today.

 

[R2elk]

Hi Memphis! Well, according to R2elk and hours looking on Porter's, it seems I have a cross of Bronze and Narragansett turkeys. I'm still unsure what their colors will end up as because they keep changing on me! Both toms have a lot of silver and gray now and the two hens are more Bronze. Right now they are approx. 11 weeks old. Believe me, I am no expert but find it amazing. lol

These 4 are now spending a lot of time following me or my grandson around. If I go out and sit, then all of them stand around me - just hanging out (or looking for treats which is more likely). Yesterday, 3 of them flew up and were roosting in my Mimosa tree that is right outside my back door, but I did not have my phone on me to catch pics. I hope they do so again today.

I am pretty sure that there is more at work here than a Narragansett cross with a Bronze. Your reddish poult is not a possible result of crossing a Narragansett with a Bronze.

 

[Flashpoint]

R2elk. I am bowing before your more years of experience and expertise! I told you I am guessing at BEST. lol

Ok, tell me what you think is going on here. Remember, I never saw the parents and not even sure if the owners are keeping track! So there is Every Possibility more is going on - I just don't have enough knowledge yet to know (no surprise here!)

 

[Flashpoint]

Btw, Memphis - I love the color of Daisy!! I think I want to get a few different colors - and have those rainbow crosses lol. Sorry for not answering earlier. My son came and picked me up and took me to get 400 lbs of feed! That takes priority and made raising the ducklings I sold two days ago - worthwhile. hehehe