A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[Huntmaster]

Here breeding normally starts mid February with egg laying usually starting in mid March.

Same here eggs first week or so of march.

 

[KF0002]

If i were to provide supplemental light to the turkeys, they would definitely be laying eggs, but I don't. I don't use the heat lamps because hay barns are open sided, so heating the air in a hay barn is pointless. I had started out using heat lamps, but they can be hazardous, and hay is also flammable. I would like to have actual animal barns some day, but it is not likely to happen, but the hay barn itself is pretty enormous, they tend to be. At least the rain and snow are kept out, but that is pretty much all a hay barn is for, keeping hay dry while allowing cross breezes on the hay so it doesn't get combustible. Did you know that improperly stored hay can spontaneously combust?

Our brooder building is insulated so the heat lamps work well in there. We are very careful and secure the lamps well, out of reach of the birds. I do know that they can pose a fire hazard, but with care they can be used safely. We make sure they don't come in contact with anything flammable like pine shavings or bedding.

I know that improperly stored hay can mold, but it makes sense that it can spontaneously combust. Any moisture in the hay can cause the hay to rot and the decay process produces heat and trapped gasses I imagine. That is intense. We only have 2 goats so only store a few small square bales at a time. I would say the larger round bales would be at a greater risk of spontaneous combustion, correct?

 

[R2elk]

I would say the larger round bales would be at a greater risk of spontaneous combustion, correct?

All of the hay spontaneous combustions that I know of were from small bales.

 

[Bantambird]

Our brooder building is insulated so the heat lamps work well in there. We are very careful and secure the lamps well, out of reach of the birds. I do know that they can pose a fire hazard, but with care they can be used safely. We make sure they don't come in contact with anything flammable like pine shavings or bedding.

I know that improperly stored hay can mold, but it makes sense that it can spontaneously combust. Any moisture in the hay can cause the hay to rot and the decay process produces heat and trapped gasses I imagine. That is intense. We only have 2 goats so only store a few small square bales at a time. I would say the larger round bales would be at a greater risk of spontaneous combustion, correct?

All of the hay spontaneous combustions that I know of were from small bales.

The small squares are the riskier hay for combustion, ironically. It makes more money to store and sell small squares over big rounds, however. Since it is what I have the facilities for, I usually store the hay until February/March when hay prices hit peak and horse or goat folks need their small squares in the winter and have a harder time finding covered bales. Selling it then covers the cost of haying next year.

 

[KF0002]

The small squares are the riskier hay for combustion, ironically. It makes more money to store and sell small squares over big rounds, however. Since it is what I have the facilities for, I usually store the hay until February/March when hay prices hit peak and horse or goat folks need their small squares in the winter and have a harder time finding covered bales. Selling it then covers the cost of haying next year.

Wow I did not know that!

 

[OneMountainAcres]

After all these years and look who is still the top poster in this thread.
View attachment 3718227

I miss her and still think about her often. She was the life of this thread and an amazing friend. I haven't seen Ralphie in a while either. I miss his goofy attitude and complaints about dux lol

 

[R2elk]

I miss her and still think about her often. She was the life of this thread and an amazing friend. I haven't seen Ralphie in a while either. I miss his goofy attitude and complaints about dux lol

Ralphie won't be coming back but is doing okay.

 

[Molpet]

Bunch of hens yelping getting the boys all stirred up.... bunch of hussies.

 

[KF0002]

Bunch of hens yelping getting the boys all stirred up.... bunch of hussies.

Got home from my shift this morning and my hens were all yelping and making a racket. All of the toms were strutting and gobbling. It's a good thing my neighbors don't live close enough to hear all that. And I sleep with ear plugs.

 

[R2elk]

Got home from my shift this morning and my hens were all yelping and making a racket. All of the toms were strutting and gobbling. It's a good thing my neighbors don't live close enough to hear all that. And I sleep with ear plugs.

Unlike roosters crowing, neighbors often are pleased to hear toms gobbling.