First time turkey owner

[Frank1983]

Got the turkeys for a very cheap price can anyone help me figure out what kind the first picture is one more question anyone have an idea how old the hens look and do u think the will lay in the spring

 

[Lazy Farmer]

lower bird featured in Pic one looks like a bronze..

 

[feedman77]

It looks like a chocolate to me

 

[Frank1983]

 

[R2elk]

Got the turkeys for a very cheap price can anyone help me figure out what kind the first picture is one more question anyone have an idea how old the hens look and do you think the will lay in the spring

The turkey in the first pic is definitely not a Bronze or a Chocolate. My best guess is that it is some type of Dapple. This is a Chocolate Dapple.

I do expect the hens to lay this coming spring as they are all mature hens. The Bourbon Red tom appears to be a yearling although the hens seem to be more mature.

You can check the images on Porter's Phenotype and Genotype page and also check out the different varieties at Porter's Rare Heritage Turkeys under the Color Varieties tab.

 

[Frank1983]

Do u think the tom is old enough to mate

 

[R2elk]

Do you think the tom is old enough to mate

Yearling toms are often the preferred toms to use for breeding. He is definitely old enough to breed.

 

[Frank1983]

Thanks I only wanted 2 turkeys but they lived in horrible conditions so I wound up buying all 7 of them pretty cheap I just couldn't leave the others there

 

[R2elk]

Thanks I only wanted 2 turkeys but they lived in horrible conditions so I wound up buying all 7 of them pretty cheap I just couldn't leave the others there

You lucked out. I always try to have at least 4 to 5 hens for one tom. Keeping just one hen and one tom can be bad for the hen's health.

 

[mistycolleen]

wow! you did good, looks like you have a variety there and good for you leaving with all of them! i did that once with chicks. it was disgusting how they were cared for.