BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[GabrielBane]

My Turkeys are by far my favorite thing on the farm! Little feather dogs they are.

 

[DesertChic]

Now, those White Jersey Giants look good to me, but I don't know if they would do well in my summers over here. I do run misters for my chickens during the hotter months, and my Australorps pulled through it ok. I like the big chicken breeds.

I'm planning to beg and plead with @Beer can to sell me some WJG hatching eggs this spring to give them a try out here in our hostile desert. Knowing me, I'll be crossing them with my NN, but I'll allow them to remain pure for at least one summer to see how they handle the heat. I know we don't get quite as hot as you do down here in Pima county, but it'll be pretty close. If you don't make the plunge yourself, I'll be sure to give you feedback on my own experiences.

 

[miss heny]

No Muscovy here

We are planning on expanding the poultry this year! More ducks, some geese, a pair of peafowl, and of course turkeys then of course some more chickens

 

[DesertChic]

My Turkeys are by far my favorite thing on the farm! Little feather dogs they are.

Oooooohhhhh.....you are such an enabler! I'm really favoring the idea of raising Midget Whites.

 

[miss heny]

Oooooohhhhh.....you are such an enabler! I'm really favoring the idea of raising Midget Whites. 

we plan on testing out turkeys with some hatchery birds first see how we like them

 

[DesertChic]

we plan on testing out turkeys with some hatchery birds first

see how we like them

I've met a few turkeys at the poultry shows and always fall in love with the hens. They're just so friendly and gentle in appearance! I met a lavender hen that I swear was begging to go home with me. Three separate people watched how she behaved with me and all came to the same conclusion as she wasn't as friendly with anyone else. Unfortunately the DH was definitely not up for a new addition at that time...but I think I'm starting to wear him down, LOL!

 

[miss heny]

Haha I haven't been near turkeys much but I want some just cuz specially need some guineas though crazy spawns of Satan

 

[GabrielBane]

Oooooohhhhh.....you are such an enabler! I'm really favoring the idea of raising Midget Whites. 

We have some Narragansett's and I just cannot stress to you how great and intelligent they are (Turkey standards, of course)

My SO picked them and the Sulmtalers out and this far both have been our respective favorites. These four are our original breeding stock, so we're attached, but their offspring will be good eatin'

 

[Kev]

Oooooohhhhh.....you are such an enabler! I'm really favoring the idea of raising Midget Whites.

Not helping you with this.. but... turkeys handle the heat pretty well.

to balance it out... they eat a LOT... as a result, brooders with poults ahem, smell different from brooders with just chicks.

then again, they can be very sweet and very tame birds... if you have a hard time butchering sweet birds, then this can be a real problem. at about 6? two poults were forced onto me with the understanding I was to raise them for the thanksgiving table. One died not long after and let's just say the remaining became my very first pet ever and never made it to the table.....

It took me a very long time to get turkeys after I got my own place for this reason. Went with a mixed variety of heritage turkeys. Butchered a couple and they were very delicious- even more of the turkey taste since they had a chance to grow out longer and develop more flavor.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

My Turkeys are by far my favorite thing on the farm! Little feather dogs they are.

Oh, you are NOT helping....

(Off to go search for a Storey Guide for Raising Turkeys on Amazon...)

Quote: Can't wait to see what you discover!

Quote: SOUL SISTA!!!!!! Are we both going to cave in and get turkeys?!?!

Quote: Noooooooooo.....

CHICKEN MATH, GET THEE BEHIND MEEEEEEEE!!!!!

(I know just where I'll I would keep them, too...)

- Ant Farm