I have been wanting turkeys for a while now. I only want a few (less than 6) and I want to get them young so I can raise them with the chickens, dog, and kids so everyone gets along. I want a calm, good-looking breed that I will enjoy having in my yard. I would really like to buy eggs from someone here and hatch them, but my last 2 incubator experiences were disheartening to say the least.
More to my point, I was just offered 3 free hens by someone who is moving and can't keep them. One is a silkie and I am well aware of their reputation for being wonderful mothers. But can they handle turkeys? I don't know how big turkey eggs are, but I assume it varies with the breed as it does with chickens.
I am not planning anything yet, I just want to know if it is possible for a silkie hen to raise turkeys, and if so, how many?
If there was anyone close by that I could buy turkey poults from, I would ratehr do that, but as far as I know no one in this region does. I hesitate to order from a hatchery for quality reasons, especially at those prices! If I am gonna wind up paying more than $10 per bird (and must order 15 at that) I want to make sure I am getting good turkeys.
More to my point, I was just offered 3 free hens by someone who is moving and can't keep them. One is a silkie and I am well aware of their reputation for being wonderful mothers. But can they handle turkeys? I don't know how big turkey eggs are, but I assume it varies with the breed as it does with chickens.
I am not planning anything yet, I just want to know if it is possible for a silkie hen to raise turkeys, and if so, how many?
If there was anyone close by that I could buy turkey poults from, I would ratehr do that, but as far as I know no one in this region does. I hesitate to order from a hatchery for quality reasons, especially at those prices! If I am gonna wind up paying more than $10 per bird (and must order 15 at that) I want to make sure I am getting good turkeys.
