Gender Question ** With Pictures**

[LadyTurkey]

Quote:
So my 3 females will never be able to mate with a heritage tom? i thought it was just BBB X BBB that couldnt mate.

Omg! YES!!! they do waddle! they are so wide its like a truck coming through.

 

[Frosty]

Yes a heritage tom can mate with them. Just the BBB toms can't get close enough to do the deed (though that is still possible too, just not probable). If you plan to keep the hens, you will need to watch their diet and make sure they get exercise. That will help with the leg problems that they are prone to.

Usually from a feed store, BBB poults would run in the $5 - $7 range. Heritage would be more in the rage of $10 or more.

 

[LadyTurkey]

Yeah my husband said they were around 2.50-3$ each. So how would i go about fixing their diet? Only feeding them small amounts? No more free feeding then im guessing.

 

[Frosty]

They actually don't look too bad for 7 months old so I am going to guess that at least part of their diet is from free ranging. That will really help a lot. You have actually got the critical stage behind you, that would be when they are growing fast. You will see posts here where folks have a BB turkey around 5 months or so dress out around 35 pounds or more, and some posts where a 5 month old BB can't walk anymore. If you are feeding any grains as a treat, limit any corn that they are getting and encourage them to free range for as long as you can. That not only helps lower the caloric intake, but also encourages them to move around while they are searching for food. I mix some rolled oats in with the feed, it has some protien without the fat. Usually in the winter I do supplement some corn into the diet, but we have some temps in the -30 to -40 range (not including windchill) so they use the extra energy. I have a BBW hen from last spring so she's about a year and a half old and looks about like yours do.

But really, I think your turkeys look pretty good for their age so I would say keep on doing as you have been, just keep an eye on them and limit feed as soon as you see them start having any difficulty getting around (if they even start). And give yourself a pat on the back for the excellent job raising them!

 

[pdpatch]

There hens, small snoods, no carnuckles to speak of. the fine feather on top of there head. They are BBB"S there legs are far apart and big breast. Free range BBB's will be smaller then those fed nothing but bagged feed, but they do taste better.

Only feeding them small amounts? No more free feeding then im guessing.

Well it depends on if you want to keep them around for a while. Rationing there bagged feed will let them live longer. Either way if they make it for four years or more then you will be lucky. Free ranging BBB's let them exercise wich in the long term is better for there health.

Tom​

 

[gobblygoo]

All three look like BBB hens!

 

[erinszoo]

They all look like hens to me. I don't know about the BBB or SB part. We were told ours was a midget white for so long and now it's 6 months, we are well aware that it is a white holland instead. Go online and look up the standards for both of the breeds to see the differences. Some of the hatcheries have online catalogs that explain the differences pretty well in size and coloring, etc ... If they were males, their snood should be a lot longer than it is. They're the same size as the one on my girl and we know she's a girl given she's laying eggs.

 

[LadyTurkey]

Thanks for the advice everyone!
Two we are keeping as pets and the widest largest hen my husband is butchering for thanksgiving