Feedstore Poults... What kind? How old? Sex?

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Got 2 from the feed store, thinking about getting 2 more, they didn't know what they were, is there a way to tell this young? I'm sure they got them from a hatchery. They all looked the same, some smaller some bigger. I know nothing about turkeys, how old when I can tell the sex?

Thanks!

 

[Denninmi]

Most likely broadbreasted bronze, a meat strain. Look at the size of the feet.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Cool.

Does that mean they won't be able to breed naturally?

 

[StevenW.]

I'm going to say BroadBreasted Bronze since most feed stores have those these days.

That kitty looks awefully interested in them!

 

[terri9630]

Quote:
Just wait until they are bigger. Then kitty will be running from them.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

LoL yeah, he loves to sit there in the window and watch the brooder.

He hasn't ever hurt anything though.

He's a good boy.

So I guess I will name these two Thanksgiving and Christmas, and keep looking for Standard Bronzes for an eventual breeding program.

 

[StevenW.]

Quote:
Just wait until they are bigger. Then kitty will be running from them.

My moms cat was eyeing the goslings last year and Ms. Kitty was running all over the yard because 5 half grown geese were chaseing her and blocking every hole and hideaway.
It was quite amuseing!

 

[StevenW.]

Quote:
Porters Turkeys have wonderful bloodlines! I just found out that they are in Indiana.

(I thought they were in NC for some reason?

)

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

So now I just read on here that

BBB are no longer a commercially breed turkey. The BBW is. The heritage bronze is very close to what we call a BBB today. Ideal Hatchery list the weight of there BBB at maturity are males-25 lbs. and hens-16 lbs. The BBW standard weights at maturity are males-45 lbs. and hens-25 lbs. My heritage bronze toms are a good 10-15 pounds more than the weights listed for BBB males and still breed naturally. I don't think you will know if your turkeys are one of these small BBB or a heritage bronze unless you start having a problem with them.

Does that mean they aren't BBB then? I'm confused.

​

 

[StevenW.]

Quote:
Does that mean they aren't BBB then? I'm confused.

I'm confused also...