Heritage & Exhibition Turkey Thread

[HallFamilyFarm]

I would not cut anything. Jsut clean him up. The judge may count off on condition. Cut feathers could mean a disqualification (DQ). The judge willa sk himself, "What were they hiding when they cut the feather off?" The judge should understand that this tom is strutting causing damage. Especially if the tom strutts for the judge.

You may consider building a show prep pen. It would need to be about 4" square with a top. Place the tom inside for at least an hour a day. Allow him to see his hens. He should strutt for them. then walk by him and stand in front of him. He should then strutt for you. The winners are almost always the toms that prove they are toms. Like this one at Crossroads

 

[Chickielady]

Thanks Jim!!!

 

[1MrsMagoo]

Oh boy....it's official: I'm getting turkey eggs for the incubator in the spring! I just paid for a pre-order of 12 Beltsville Small White turkey eggs from Jerry Pool for delivery around March 2012. I plan on purchasing at least a half dozen from Steve at S&S to arrive at the same time as well to insure diversity. Now all I need to do is get a few of them to hatch! I have had great luck with shipped chicken, guinea, and duck eggs so my fingers are crossed for a few healthy poults!

I am VERY excited to say the least. It only took me months and a little good luck to convince my husband that turkeys would be a good addition. The people who used to own our place left what looks like a small cotton trailer in the woods. I showed the DH pictures of these trailers that had been turned into poultry housing, so we have pulled it out of the woods and will be putting a roof on it and parking it in the front horse pasture by the water valve (to hook up auto water for the birds). Since I am not asking him to build yet another building he gave in rather quickly.

Hopefully all goes well, so I can convince him that we need at least a couple of breeds since I really want some Bourbon Reds too.

Thanks to everyone who has posted all the great turkey information on this forum: I've been reading it and taking notes!

 

[Chickielady]

Quote:
WOW can I see pics of these houses???
You are so lucky!!!!!!!!!

 

[Olive Hill]

Congrats on the egg orders. I don't know if it's true of all turkey eggs but our Narragansett Eggs seem quite hardy. I've had a hen abandon a nest halfway through setting, the eggs ended up ice cold but still had a great hatch rate when I put them in the bator.

 

[Chickielady]

Well, I told DH to come help me clean the Tom...and he said hollar for him..so I filled the hudson sprayer & was out with towel & all & hollared and DH was no where in sight..imagine that...

So I went in & cornered Mr Tom & began holding him across his breast & spraying his tail & wing tips with the other hand..which did not help when the sprayer had to get pumped back up....but all in all I think it worked as good as it is going to.
Tomorrow I will clean him again.
Wanted to add: Mr Tom was humiliated by the washing & is PO'd at me!!!!!!!
He took his drippy self in the coop and never returned all afternoon...he smells good though!

Sorry, no one was there to help, nor take photos!

 

[Olive Hill]

Do you have a show coming up?

 

[Chickielady]

yes, Saturday AM bright & early, the Washington Feather Fanciers' "Winter Brisk"

 

[Chickielady]

Do you really have Olives there?

 

[Olive Hill]

Olive is a name as well as a fruit.

Nope, we do not grow olives here in balmy Michigan.