Burbon Reds

[lnm03]

I just ordered 6 burbon reds scheduled to come May 10th. Of those 6 I am wanting to Keep either 1 male and 2 females for a breeding trio or 2 males and 2 females for breeding......which is better?

Also if I get them in May how large will they be around Thanksgiving?

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

If you keep a trio and something happens to the male you are out of luck unless somebody near you has an extra tom. I don't know how your luck usually runs but with mine I keep extra's.

If you get them in May they will be 6 months old for Thanksgiving. To have them filled out well by then you will have to keep them on a high protien feed the entire time. We like our Thanksgiving turkey in the 8 to 10 month old range.

Steve

 

[PatS]

Are Toms less "active" than roosters? I see your point about having a spare in case something happens (two is one and one is none, I've heard). But will they pester the girls? Or would you keep them separate part of the time?

 

[lnm03]

If I keep two Toms will they eventually start fighting?

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

yes toms are less "active" than roosters. In turkey mating it's hens choice, they won't try to mate unless she lays down for them. and it's usually only once or twice a day during laying season.

Toms will fight to figure out the pecking order. With only 2 one will be the Alpha and they should fight that much.

Steve

 

[Patty13637]

On average how many eggs or how long will a hen lay a season ?

Thanks

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

It really depends on the hen and when/if they decide to go broody. A younger hen will lay more than an older hen and the variety also figures in. Our Beltsvilles outlay all the others year after year. I would say the average hen (if there is such a thing in poultry) would be around 50 eggs in the spring. Depending on where you live there may be a short laying season in the fall.

Steve

 

[longranger]

Funny my single beltsville hen layed for about 3 weeks and is now the first and only hen to go broody. Guess she didn't read the book.