Anyone ever keep BBW for pets/reproduction of flock??

[Ema]

can I keep a male and 2 females to reproduce and get more turkeys, or am I just dreaming???

I realize now I should have gotten BBB and that would have taken the guess work out of everything. so if its not possible I will go with those next spring. I love these turkeys though, they follow me everywhere...and they are so funny...lol. I would really like to keep a few

 

[laceynoelle]

BB as in Broad Breasted? (Im not too turkey-term savvy

) Broad breasted birds cant mate, they have to artificailly inseminated, or so I heard. It seems kinda wearysome to go around AI-ing every bird for every BB Turkey out there.
As for pets, everyone says they wont live very long, and have breathing/leg problems because of how big they are. I had one for a pet, she was a good six years old before the neighbor's dog got her, so it is possible as long as they are healthy. With her heart problems, she might not have been effected because of the altitude (5000 ft). She lived a good normal turkey life and even went broody a couple times.

 

[Ema]

ok well there is a HUGE OBVIOUS thing I failed to read when I first decided to get turkeys...DUHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

ohh well I got myself a few extras for processing then. Next spring heritage turkeys will be. Hard to find them around here. so I guess I will start my search in late winter in order to secure myself a few birds.

thanks for answering the post. I really should have thoroughly read up on the breeding part of the BBW. but I don't regret them, might actually get a couple more next spring too. they were always a joy to have a round, follow me everywhere, talk to me, and run to me when they see me. I weighed a few today hens averaging 20lbs and toms are already 35lbs and are only 19 weeks old. but they have been on pasture since they were old enough to be outside, and fed a variety of grains and seeds.

I would have loved to keep a couple as pets, but seeing how prone to issues they are...I rather not put them through winter. I will try my luck with a couple heritage next year

Ema

 

[ivan3]

The hens can mate successfully with heritage toms. Our neighbor's BB hen hatched out two clutches with their BR tom. She was three years old when torn to shreds by a raccoon while on her nest.