I need turkey help!

[jlwm]

Hi y'all,

I'm a relative newbie with poultry (just got chickens last year), and I love them all!

We thought we would add geese to our little flock this year, but were sold turkeys (by mistake) at the Farm Store. We only found out that our girls were turkeys when we had to take one to the vet that, yes - she was indeed a turkey and not a goose (we'd been told that they were "Turkish Geese" - yes, we got taken!).

We love them very much - who knew that turkeys were so lovable - they follow us around, come running across the yard to greet us, and are just all around entertaining.
We got them in May - but I am not encouraged as to their prospects for a long life after reading stuff on various forums. I think that they are Broad Breasted Whites (I am hoping that they are New Hollands, but am kind of doubtful on this).

We are really attached to them. Any advice on turkeys that I should be aware of? How to overwinter them (I live in Southern Ontario, and the winters can be pretty brutal)? If indeed they are BBW, will we have to put them down out of mercy?

Any advice/thoughts/ect would very, very, appreciated!

janice

 

[jrsqlc]

I would say if you could take a pic and post it you would be able to get better info as we would know exactly what kind of turks they are.

 

[SaraF]

If indeed they are BBWs, I would make sure they have a lower protein level, no 28% protein. They will continue to grow and get to heavy for their legs. They will eventually grow leg problems over the years becuase of the stress they have from their increadible weight. But dont worry about that yet. Fed them anything like scratch grain or layer feed. My older BBB&BBW like the greens, so if you have those, give them a try. As far as during the winter, keep them inside a barn and give them plenty of straw/hay to bed in to stay warm. Keep their water unfrozen, and feed still there. We have pretty bad winters here, but im sure yours are far worst, so if it gets to cold, you might want to give them a heater/heat lamp nearby. We never had problems with winter, and never need a heat source but just incase.

They will be misrable looking during the winter probably, becuase of not wanting to move a lot, but its ok. IN a few years, when they have bad leg problems, to the point they can't get up well... you might want to make the choice to put them down

My BBB hens usually live about 5-6yrs before the weather and leg issues take over.

GOOD LUCK

 

[bargain]

Agree with the posters.....I'm hoping that it is not a broad breasted so you can keep it more happily and longer. Yes, try to keep them from getting too large. The other thing to thing about is that you might want to sell them and then in the spring begin a search for a smaller heritage turkey that doesn't get so top heavy and would have a longer opportunity for life, could naturally reproduce and have eggs/babies etc...
I know this isn't a popular opinion and you are already attached to them, but just my ideas. They will definitely hate being cooped up after long times outside.

You might also consider a pole barn type structure ( and use bales of hay around it leaving an opening for your turkeys. I know Georgia winters are much milder than yours but last year we wintered all our turkeys outdoors and gave them a shelter which was against the cold winds (tinned in) and then open on one side. I saw in some magazines where bales of hay are used to make temp barns in pole like structures....With this system they could be out on good days and in on the colder ones.

Best of luck. Turkeys are really sweet aren't they? Nancy

 

[OmaBird]

If you raised the BBW as geese, did you feed 20% protein for the first two weeks then drop them down to a 14-16% protein until now? If so thats great. Since they are female thats another plus. I wouldn't do anything if they seem healthy. They might need extra TLC in the heat. Mine have been stupid enough to stand in the snow with 2 feet of snow on the backs. I try to chase them in but some just like the snow.



I live in high and heat where raising BB turkeys and meat birds are not recomended. It is said that I should have 30% death at my altidude, yet I have raised some over 5 years old. They have more heart attacks, sudden death at high altidude. Legs are also a problem if you let them get to fat. Keep them lean, no corn or scratch and you could have them many years.

 

[Lagerdogger]

Next time you buy geese, check the feet

. Even the little ones have webbed toes.

Good luck with your turkeys. Keep these as long as you can. When its time to replace, look into some of the more colorful heritage birds. If you like the BBW, I guarantee you will love royal palms!

 

[Frosty]

Not sure what your winters are like, but I am in North Dakota and mine have been through -38F (not counting windchill) and did fine. I give them plenty of bedding and somewhere to get out of the wind and snow. I currently have one Broad Breasted Bronze in with my White Hollands. I try to keep the growth slow and let them get exercise. I am not fond of heat lamps except for starting the babies, if you do use one make sure it is VERY secure. More than one building has burned when a heat lamp got knocked down. Have fun with your turkeys, they have wonderful personalities!

 

[jlwm]

First, thank you all so much for all of the advice! Yes - they got duck feed for the first two months (feed store did not carry goose food). And then, after we realized they were turkeys, we got them on turkey grower.

They do free range - we have half an acre, and they get lots of fruit and greens. I take it this is better than grower? It sounds as though we should move away from grower as quickly as possible - if that's the case, what should I feed them instead?
I immediately feel better though - some of the stuff I found on web sites was very depressing - for example, BBWs only live for about 10 months before you have to put them down due to foot/weight problems.

Hubby built them a special barn just for them this winter - but the hay bale thing sounds fantastic - I will look it up and try to figure out how to do this.

I'm pretty sure they are BBW from pics on the Internet, but I am will upload a pic of them ASAP.
I would never have believed are sweet and adorable they are - our barn cat (a stray) has "adopted" them - all three of them hang out together in the yard. That is, when the turks aren't sitting on my kitchen doorstep waiting for attention and food.
Thanks again so much everyone. Anything else that y'all can think of is very much appreciated.

janice