A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[Bantambird]

I saw this at a garage sale this weekend! I knew it would take way more work than I would bother with to get it working, but I looked it over anyways. Someone had been hatching emu eggs in it last! There were emu egg shells littering the floor of the incubator.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

You're just jealous we have dux and you're stuck with turkeys.

AND geese!

Stupid question,

When do Toms start displaying?
i let my turkeys out for the first time yesterday and one kept doing the turkey-puff tail-pan
and the other just kept talking
they are only 5 weeks old
(hatched 5/21)

I've had one or two actualy strut on day 1! Though, I don't know if they were boys or girls though.

I saw this at a garage sale this weekend! I knew it would take way more work than I would bother with to get it working, but I looked it over anyways. Someone had been hatching emu eggs in it last! There were emu egg shells littering the floor of the incubator.View attachment 1055416 View attachment 1055416

Awesome find!

 

[DwayneNLiz]

I saw this at a garage sale this weekend! I knew it would take way more work than I would bother with to get it working, but I looked it over anyways. Someone had been hatching emu eggs in it last! There were emu egg shells littering the floor of the incubator.

so you bought it, right?? and good job with the vegans

 

[Bantambird]

so you bought it, right?? and good job with the vegans

It was already bought when I saw it. They said the one who bought it intends to turn it into a rolling bar. I'd be down for that...

 

[DwayneNLiz]

It was already bought when I saw it. They said the one who bought it intends to turn it into a rolling bar. I'd be down for that...

that works too!

 

[rjohns39]

I was an hour late this morning going out to take care of the birds, my Nari hens made a point of letting me know that was unacceptable. While I was feeding the babies, they flew out of their pasture (boy the racket a couple hens can make when flying), landed next to me and started self serving from the babies feed can. Then they walked with me back to their pasture, waited for me to open and hold the gate and strolled up to the feed trough. Of course they self served out of their feed can and then out of the treat can. Can you tell I spoil them just a bit?

 

[Flashpoint]

What a crazy weekend. Butchered 13 cockerels and argued with vegans.






Vegans are wierd. I explained why male birds must be culled and the preferred male to female ratio, but they all shouted about how I should feel bad. *Sigh*
I get the feeling they simply can't understand how maintaining a breeding group of animals works. I'm alright with being labeled a monster tho. It was almost entertaining to make them squirm

I also stated that my birds free range during the day, with only a five foot sheepwire fence and a barbwire string top and bottom to deter diggers and climbers, and that they could leave if they wanted to, but that they don't. Then I asked why my enslaved birds didn't siezed the opportunity and fly away. I got silence.

Unfortuntely, there is no known cure for "stupid". It's amazing how many people believe brown cows give chocolate milk. Is it the level of education they receive or just ignorance in general? I realize many children have never seen livestock - be it a chicken or a cow, and grow up not knowing where food comes from .....and then there are the "others". SMH

But very good responses to that group, Bantam. I have friends who are vegans and they do understand, just choose to eat differently.

 

[Flashpoint]

I was an hour late this morning going out to take care of the birds, my Nari hens made a point of letting me know that was unacceptable. While I was feeding the babies, they flew out of their pasture (boy the racket a couple hens can make when flying), landed next to me and started self serving from the babies feed can. Then they walked with me back to their pasture, waited for me to open and hold the gate and strolled up to the feed trough. Of course they self served out of their feed can and then out of the treat can. Can you tell I spoil them just a bit?

LOL - I can hear mine from inside the house if I am not out there fast enough! Spoiling is good!

 

[DwayneNLiz]

i have been talking to a friend of mine about getting a beef cow
he asked me what my daughter thought (she's five)
i told him to ask her, he did, her response- lick her lips and rub her belly "mmmm steak!"

ever since i hatched my turkeys she keeps asking if they are old enough to eat, not yet sweetie, soon

i accidentally let a quail out yesterday and it got away, she got mad at me because i wasted a 'meal'


I think i have done a good job raising her in that aspect

 

[Flashpoint]

I spoke with the local farm agency, the forestry department, another agricultural dept, and the wildlife folks this morning. (these are the numbers I was given as I was shuffled to the next agency) This is what I was told or what is in their research documents.

Farm agency had no idea about the blackhead disease, but gave me the number to someone else - who is currently out of town. So waiting on a callback.

The wildlife agency said that blackhead had only been found twice (2 wild turkeys) a couple years ago, but had no reports of incidences regarding any domestic poultry issues and was not considered to be a health issue for turkeys in this area.

She also told me about the reintroduction projects and the info is readily available online. The Fisher or Fisher Cat were reintroduced in WV next to the Maryland border starting in 1969 with 23 fishers from New Hampshire. Pennsylvania reintroduced Fishers starting with 30 animals in 1979 and then followed up in 1994-1998 with another 190 animals.

Today in Western MD, Fishers are present in enough numbers that hunters are now allowed to "bag" two, either by firearm and bow hunting or traps and must have a Furbearer permit. Fisher numbers are increasing rapidly and have spread from Garrett Co to Frederick Co, MD, not counting the increasing numbers in WV and PA. One article from the Maryland DNR said the average numbers have been approx. 280 otters and 52 Fishers taken "legally" each year for the past five years. They assume the numbers are higher if taking into account the number of Fishers taken illegally by hunters or farmers. (duh!)

The Fisher's diet consists of berries and fruits from shrubs and trees and considered to be an important mammalian seed spreader. They also eat insects, lizards, snakes, birds, shrews, moles, mice, squirrels, porcupines and other small mammals and there is evidence of predation on white-tailed deer. (!!!) They competently forage for food in both the tree canopy and on the forest floor. They have 1-6 kits once a year, breeding in March/April but the embryos do not attach until the following Jan/Feb with gestation lasting 40 days. Their dens are usually found in tree cavities 30-40 feet high (I though this was interesting).

She also stated that regular chicken wire or netting would not be a deterrent if the Fisher was after chickens or other fowl. They are extremely strong and have razor sharp claws. Some reports say females only weigh 4-9 lbs with the male being much larger at 15 pounds. According to some educational videos and articles, the males often reach 20-30 lbs. Females are typically 30-37 inches long with the males reaching a length of 48 inches long.

She did say that she did not think fishers would actively target a chicken coop (and apparently she has not watched the videos!) and that I stood a bigger chance of running into a bear (been there, done that, have the video).

Personally, I know these folks are trained to not speak about anything alarming - like the fishers being big hunters for birds or any easy meal. Just like DNR claims Eastern Cougars are extinct - BUT it's illegal to shoot one........righttt.
#flashpointobsessedwithfishers