Life expectancy for BB bronze or whites?

[cashela]

Yes if the time comes that their legs give out I will be willing to give them to someone to humanely kill and they can eat them as long as I don't hear about it. I know I'm a sap. I eat meat but get it from the grocery store. I have no problem with other people raising their own to eat, it's just these were meant to be as pets and I am pretty darn sad now that I have gotten attached to the goofy birds that they might not live that long. Who knew I could get so attached to turkeys?

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

you're not a sap, honey. its easy to get attached.

as i was watching my BR's yesterday i was thinking about your situation and thought - wonder if you could trade yours for a heritage breed? might want to see if anyone in the board is nearby - or try craigslist. i was thinking about this b/c if i were closer i'd run right over with some of mine to trade.

i'm sending you a hug

and as steve says 'every body loves a turkey!'

 

[cashela]

A while back I did see someone on Craigslist selling Blue Slates. I just thought that where I had a hen and a tom that it might not be good to introduce another turkey or two. Plust I would have to build another cage. Maybe I will contact them and see if they still have any. Hubby will die...

 

[megshenhut]

Those of you with BBB turkeys, it may not turn out all bad. I had a pair. Again we bought them not knowing what we were getting. Hank lived 4 years and I still have Heather. She turned 6 this past spring. She isn't very active but gets around Ok, up and down the ramp to her house etc. No it isn't like having a heritage breed, but she is a great pet. If she just didn't peck at every shiny object she sees - rings, buttons, snaps. LOL

 

[chickenlittle33]

Does anyone have a picture or info on a Red Bourbon x BBB? Have some eggs in the incubator and wondering what might possibly pop out?

 

[R2elk]

Does anyone have a picture or info on a Red Bourbon x BBB? Have some eggs in the incubator and wondering what might possibly pop out?

According to Porter's turkey color calculator they should all be Red Bronzes. Body shape will be in between broad breasted and heritage.

http://www.porterturkeys.com/MRedBronze.jpg

 

[chickenlittle33]

Thank you, I'm looking forward to seeing them hoping for a good hatch.

 

[DylansMom]

Yes if the time comes that their legs give out I will be willing to give them to someone to humanely kill and they can eat them as long as I don't hear about it. I know I'm a sap. I eat meat but get it from the grocery store. I have no problem with other people raising their own to eat, it's just these were meant to be as pets and I am pretty darn sad now that I have gotten attached to the goofy birds that they might not live that long. Who knew I could get so attached to turkeys?

This was Turtee, she escaped from a local processing plant and made her way to us. I had heard the meat turkeys had leg problems due to their weight, so we limited her intake of "feed" and supplemented with fruits, salads, cooked veggies(not canned, too much salt), etc... we also got her to take walks with us as often as possible. I have heard that hens can last longer than toms, and our girl sure did. We lost her last fall, at the age of approx. 10 yrs. and she was mobile right up to a week before she died. We were all very attached to this bird and she was as friendly as could be. We have since adopted another BBW hen and her and I went for a long walk this morning. I can't guarantee your's will be like Turtee, but don't give up they can sometimes live long happy lives.

 

[Countrygirl91]

This was Turtee, she escaped from a local processing plant and made her way to us. I had heard the meat turkeys had leg problems due to their weight, so we limited her intake of "feed" and supplemented with fruits, salads, cooked veggies(not canned, too much salt), etc... we also got her to take walks with us as often as possible. I have heard that hens can last longer than toms, and our girl sure did. We lost her last fall, at the age of approx. 10 yrs. and she was mobile right up to a week before she died. We were all very attached to this bird and she was as friendly as could be. We have since adopted another BBW hen and her and I went for a long walk this morning. I can't guarantee your's will be like Turtee, but don't give up they can sometimes live long happy lives.

can u change their feed to a lower protein