Anyone else have midget whites?

[denniselk]

Four out Six candled thru 2 hatched

 

[Smiles-N-Sunshine]

Hey Y'all!

We recently started with Midget Whites, our first turkey project. We have a pair (one hen died right after we got them) and just set a dozen unrelated eggs in the incubator.

 

[bigredfeather]

How long does it take to get Midgets up to 12-15 pounds assuming they get fed the proper feed and correct amount?

 

[pawtraitart]

How long does it take to get Midgets up to 12-15 pounds assuming they get fed the proper feed and correct amount?

Are you talking about the males? MW are slow growing. If they are pure (not mixed with beltsville) and hatched early spring they should be a max of 12 pounds by now for the males and 8 pounds for the females. They will grow a pound or so over the winter if kept until spring.

 

[bigredfeather]

Are you talking about the males? MW are slow growing. If they are pure (not mixed with beltsville) and hatched early spring they should be a max of 12 pounds by now for the males and 8 pounds for the females. They will grow a pound or so over the winter if kept until spring.

I was asking about them if I wanted to raise them for Thanksgiving turkeys. So you're saying I'd need to start them in early Spring?

 

[pawtraitart]

I was asking about them if I wanted to raise them for Thanksgiving turkeys. So you're saying I'd need to start them in early Spring?

It depends on how large a bird you want on your table. Personally, I prefer to serve two smaller birds instead of one large one. We hatch early and let them free range all summer and into Fall. If you want a 15 pound bird out of poults hatched that year, I'd go with a different turkey breed. A purebred MW tom should top out at around 13 pounds. You'll get a bigger bird if it's a MW/Beltsville cross like you get from some hatcheries or breeders not breeding for proper MW size.

 

[Lotsapaints]

Males should weigh around 19 to 20 pounds when mature not 15 mine take 9 months to mature so young toms around 16 lbs hatched in Feb ready now....you can do them earlier but they will not be fully fleshed out. On the other breeds I prefer them over a year to 18 months that way they are finished out with some fat even Palms are good eating if you let them mature. I have found cross breeding them will help them speed up and add more size hybrid vigor working for you. The first year I raised MW I couldn't wait to have one so I processed one right before Thanksgiving it was delicious even if he wasn't really ready now I have my pick and all my relatives can't wait for theirs as I have the local butcher process them and quick freeze them so they can be gifted. Once you start having your own turkey the store bought ones are not the same

 

[rbaker0345]

Just found this thread and wanted to add it to my que. Just wanted to say "hi" and mark my place. I will upload photos of my midgets asap. I have three and I am in Eastern NC. I have two boys (Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum) and a girl (Einstein), and I am just in love with the breed.

 

[chicken farmer]

For those who have midget whites,how tall are they? Because I finally built a chicken tractor I've wanted one forever and it's 2 feet high I would love to raise a couple for Thanksgiving and put them in here if I could....just wondering the height range of them...thanks

 

[redhensley]

I have not been able to find midget whites in my area. I ordered a dozen day-old "mini white classic" from Frey's Hatchery 5 weeks ago. They sent 14 and all have survived and done well despite this being the first time in over 20 years that I've attempted turkeys. I did some research to find out what exactly my "mini whites" are, and it appears that they are Diamond white medium from Hendrixs (Hybrid) Genetics. I am very pleased with them so far.