Bourbon Red turkeys available

[chickenannie]

I have 3 Bourbon Red toms and 3 hens available. These are for breeding pairs (not for dinner!).
They are 5-6 months old and will be ready for hatching eggs very early this Spring, though they are not proven yet.
I'm asking $35 each or $70 for a pair. I am in southeastern Pa., not far from Reading and Lancaster.
I want them to go to good homes, so if you are a first-time turkey owner, please be aware that these are heritage turkeys that need a lot of space and can fly. They don't have to be free-range, but they do well if you can range them. You can do lots of research on BYC to find out if you have the right space for them.
I will probably be putting an ad in the paper next week, but I wanted to tell BYCers first if anyone's interested. I'd like to have them picked up in the next week or two so they'll get adjusted to their new home before Spring breeding season begins.
Please PM if you are interested.

 

[chickenannie]

Here are some pics of my Bourbon Reds -- this is a mixed group, but the ones available for sale are a little bit bigger than the tom in the front in this pic.

 

[CoopCrazy]

Just as a heads up you will need to rerpost this in the auction section .. The mods will shut this soon.. Beautiful birds though

 

[chickenannie]

Aaacck -- I've never been to the auction section -- i have no idea how to do that. No pay pal etc...

 

[safarichick101]

Hi! I am afraid I am WAY to far for you. But I had a few q's regarding br's.

First off, someone told me they are loud for turkeys. I had my heart set on them but now I'm not so sure.. :S What do you think?
Are they flighty? Again, someone told me this but I have also heard Royal palms are flighty because they are so light. Is that true with bourbon's too?
Are they aggressive with chickens?
Can they handle confinement (a VERY big enclosure) well? Provided they get a good daily walk in the afternoons.

 

[hortgal58]

Quote:
My bourbon reds aren't as loud as my bronze guys and free range with my 20+ chickens. We've had no problems..

 

[chickenannie]

Quote:
If you're worried about neighbors, I would say that turkeys, in general, are not loud, but there are times (2 times a day???) when they can get very loud, if they see something unusual or have a turkey "argument"! IMO, much less than a barking dog, but still I would not describe them as always quiet.

Heritage turkeys do fly, yes, when they roost, and other times if they feel like it. for example, yesterday they all flew onto the top of my garage. They like checking out "high" places. So I would expect them to fly. You could try raising BBWs (usually raised for meat) which wouldn't fly.

Yes, they can be confined, but they need much larger spaces than a chicken since they are bigger. and I think the pens are much taller than you would need for a chicken coop.

It sounds like you have a fair amount of concern, on all the right points. Turkeys might not be the right pet for you. But you know your situation best.