A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[R2elk]

Oh...what has become of my life that fowl poop actually matters to me!!

 

[memphis]

I know...right? I actually pooper scoop the turkey pen. Cant tell you how many times I've stopped to eyeball a suspicious turkey turd. I'm worse with them than the dogs!

 

[aliciaplus3]

so far one is light and one is dark

 

[memphis]

Alicia!!! Loving the New Years babies! Best way to start the new year! Boy they sure look robust!! Remind me what variety the parents are....

 

[aliciaplus3]

Alicia!!! Loving the New Years babies! Best way to start the new year! Boy they sure look robust!! Remind me what variety the parents are....

Ummm.... variety yes that must be the word..... honestly I am unsure the toms in that pen are black( they are a mix of standard bronze and chocolate) and for hens there is some standard bronze, royal palm, black( some mix as the toms), black(sold to me as Spanish black), and chocolate. So???? Any guesses?

 

[aliciaplus3]

2 turkeys in the front keeping an eye on everything

 

[CindyinSD]

I have had 100% accuracy when using the second method and also been 100% inaccurate.

And then there is the poop test. Tom's poop is in a "J" shape. And of course #casportpony has taught us all the importance of checking out poop. So it's sort of natural for me now to glance at poop to make sure it all looks ok. Oh...what has become of my life that fowl poop actually matters to me!!

Well that sounds like a good way, then... just sit by the brooder, watch the little poopers and then slap a baby leg band on if I’m that quick. Does it even work on babies, or do they have to be older? On chickens/chicks? Goslings?

Cindy, for the most part mine stay inside the premier 1 poultry net (1 use the 4 foot). It's better for keeping predators out than keeping birds in. The biggest issue I've had is when they get into a snood pulling adventure. A full grown tom can roll right over the fence and knock it down and the really creative ones can get their heads caught and tangled in the mesh.

I’d be happy with the “for the most part” scenario. I want the netting for keeping out baddies and keeping in my own as well, but I don’t need perfect control of the birds... As long as all the others don’t follow the naughty ones, I just won’t breed the wanderers. I don’t want to lose anyone, but we all have some responsibility for our own safety, etc... even turkeys.

I hadn’t thought about fighting. Maybe by the time they start fighting they could be big enough for the freezer... at least those you don’t want for breeding? Or do they start earlier than that? I do have covered pens that pugnacious toms could go to if they’re mean to the girls (or to me, or to one another) where they can feast and squabble and put on some weight. Thanks for bringing that up.

What kind of turkeys do you have— heritage or BB? Have you lost any to tangling up in the e-net?

The net worked really well with the turks because no poles for them to roost on. They may not care for bein moved much cause stranger dangers though. Or at least mine wouldnt. But with a portable same shelter they may be ok with it. I have two hens that wing clippin doesnt help... they still get out. But they know their way home and go back so eh. They like the bugs and all but not the new places.

Good to know. Thanks! Are you/were you running heritage breads or broad breasted?

 

[CindyinSD]

So cute, Alicia! Congratulations!

 

[rjohns39]

What kind of turkeys do you have— heritage or BB? Have you lost any to tangling up in the e-net?

I have heritage for the most part. I've got a batch of BBWs destined for freezer camp, but they just aren't growing out. Nothing I started this fall did well for grow out, this weather has been just crazy. I have not lost one to the net, but getting them untangled is a real thrill. Best with two people. Still have to decide what I'm doing come spring. BTW I bought the 1 joule solar charger from premier 1, if I had it to do over I'd go with the 2 Joule version.

 

[aliciaplus3]

I have heritage for the most part. I've got a batch of BBWs destined for freezer camp, but they just aren't growing out. Nothing I started this fall did well for grow out, this weather has been just crazy. I have not lost one to the net, but getting them untangled is a real thrill. Best with two people. Still have to decide what I'm doing come spring. BTW I bought the 1 joule solar charger from premier 1, if I had it to do over I'd go with the 2 Joule version.

Bigger is better..... especially when you don't know how big your operation will get.....