Illinois...

[Faraday40]

I agree!

.... But I decided to only eat one - since my dad's 91 & we won't be getting the big family together this year bc of Covid.

Due to my kids (and less need for turkey meat this year), I rehomed the other 2 - where we can visit.
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@Molpet 's turkeys are great. I just called them "white" or "browns"
Not aggressive, offer some predator protection, and taste good.
Mine like to photo-bomb. These pics were taken a few days ago.
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He thinks he's so handsome that I must always take his photo. I may actually miss him next week (only a little). I'm sure by spring I'll forget all about how much I complained about the turkeys, and want poults again. LOL

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[BReeder!]

I agree!

.... But I decided to only eat one - since my dad's 91 & we won't be getting the big family together this year bc of Covid.

Due to my kids (and less need for turkey meat this year), I rehomed the other 2 - where we can visit.
View attachment 2415035View attachment 2415036

@Molpet 's turkeys are great.
Not aggressive, offer some predator protection, and taste good.
Mine like to photo-bomb. These pics were taken a few days ago.
View attachment 2415030

He thinks he's so handsome that I must always take his photo. I may actually miss him next week (only a little). I'm sure by spring I'll forget all about how much I complained about the turkeys, and want poults again. LOL

View attachment 2415033

That white tom looks much bigger. His legs look delicious in the photo where you are holding him.

 

[BReeder!]

I just got home from my sister's. I had to help her pick up a TV that wouldn't fit in her trunk. I realized the door was open on the shed coop, so I went out to close it and checked on the birds while it there. I found a turkey egg. I really want expecting a turkey egg in November. I will take what I can get though. Perhaps this is the turkeys' plea to avoid being dinner.

 

[cavemanrich]

Am I the only one seeing the similarities

 

[BReeder!]

@Faraday40 Did the tom have a noticeable gobble yet? I wondered if I had a tom how long it would be until noise control would be the reason he went into freezer camp.

 

[Faraday40]

@Faraday40 Did the tom have a noticeable gobble yet? I wondered if I had a tom how long it would be until noise control would be the reason he went into freezer camp.

Nope.
When I had all 3, I'd get their usual "gump, gump, gump..." calling to each other. (They did that a lot - especially when I let them out in the morning. My neighbors found them highly entertaining) They also made a higher pitched "tweet" noise when they wanted to call attention to something. I really only heard the "gobbles" a few times when they were actually afraid - like when my dog ran into their fenced area and chased chickens or something fell over and crashed to the ground. My kids tried "gobbling" at them to get a response, but it never worked like the turkey Youtube videos. Perhaps mine are too young (6.5 months), rarely frightened, or just plain defective. The males would frequently flaunt their plumage like the usual Thanksgiving image. That looks amazing in person. Sometimes the 2 males would scuffle, but one was always the dominant. Turkeys are always above chickens in the pecking order.

The remaining male turkey still leads the flock, but I find a rooster's crow is much louder.


Speaking of rooster, I know someone wanting to find a home for their a lav orp. (He was hatched here and raised by a family. Basically a rooster who thinks he's a pet. ) The family would probably give him away to a home where he'd be loved and not eaten. You know how it is when kids get attached. Send me a private message if you might be interested.

 

[SnootyHen]

The babies had their first chance to interact with the big girls outside the crate today and I think it went well! I left 4 of the pullets out with them. The Marans and Leghorn are the flock leaders (one's the brains and one's the braun) and the GLW and Barnevelder. One of the others was in the coop when it all went down and I had to throw the Russian Orloff and my low hen the black laced red Wyandotte in the coop for excessive pecking. Kind of surprised it was the 2 lowest on the pecking order that were the meanest to them. But once I closed them in, the Barnevelder ignored them completely and the other 3 were really pretty good. Hoping this means the babies can move outside soon!!!

 

[cavemanrich]

Kind of surprised it was the 2 lowest on the pecking order that were the meanest to them.

I noticed this for a long time as well. When I introduced new chickens to my flock, the LOW PECKING order CHICKENS , do not want to stay at the bottom. The TOP Peking ones know they are BOSS,,, and have no need to prove.

 

[SnootyHen]

I noticed this for a long time as well. When I introduced new chickens to my flock, the LOW PECKING order CHICKENS , do not want to stay at the bottom. The TOP Peking ones know they are BOSS,,, and have no need to prove.

That makes a lot of sense. The bosses don't need to prove anything to anyone.

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

@WhyDoILikeChickens I have driven past your house at least a dozen times in the past two weeks. My sister moved into her new home and the route to get there takes me right past your house to get into Van Esch (I think I spelled that correct). I've been helping her and my BIL paint and get settled in. I'm not creeping on you in case you notice the same minivan going by so much. LOL.

Lol. I am usually oblivious to the outside realm. DD is the nosy one, little investigator.
I hope you sister enjoys the neighborhood. It's a nice place. Nobody ever bothers anyone. Well up till my letter that someone complained about my rooster. Have to set up an inspection. Just going to put him in dog cage in the house at that time. I am pretty sure I know who it is. They will learn when I find the most annoying animals I can legally own.