Maine

[gracejr]

Have a great day there Hoppy!


Oh my word, SCG, Thriller (is that his real name? Awesome, if so!) is one CREEPY looking bird! Who needs Halloween decorations when you have birds like that.


Random turkey question... If I'm getting some to raise out for meat, with no intention of breeding, is there a reason to go with heritage breeds still?

 

[superchemicalgirl]

I'm getting ready for the auction, packing up stuff to bring, should be a good day!! hope to see some of you there.

Good luck!

Have a great day there Hoppy!
Oh my word, SCG, Thriller (is that his real name? Awesome, if so!) is one CREEPY looking bird! Who needs Halloween decorations when you have birds like that.

Random turkey question... If I'm getting some to raise out for meat, with no intention of breeding, is there a reason to go with heritage breeds still?

Yes, Thriller is really his name. He might be ever so slightly hideous but he does stand his ground whenever there's an aerial predator while warning the girls to run. He's a good little boy. I'm hoping to get him a little silkie girlfriend so I can have more showgirls. PigPen doesn't like him, and I'm not even sure that at 11 months old she's ever laid an egg.

The heritage breeds are slow to mature so they'll be more expensive and a longer investment. I would never get a Frankenturkey or a cornish X because I feel bad for the birds (and I don't judge if that's what works for you). I don't want to "have" to butcher by a certain time, my life doesn't work like that. We butcher when they're ready and when we can, and if we can't, they're not uncomfortable or at risk of dying on their own and we get to them when we can. I think there are faster growing breeds that aren't Frankenturkeys - midget white comes to mind but I might be wrong - so unless you're into breeding and selling, you may want to look into those.

 

[Widget]

I love Bourbon Reds. They are a nice looking bird when fully mature. Hopefully I will be able to raise a couple to that age next year now that I have more predator proof housing. And the Midget Whites are also slow to mature. They just don't get as big as the other heritage breeds so they are better for people who want a smaller turkey for the table.

 

[hoppy]

I had midget white (tom last yr that dressed out heavier then my bourbon red tom, he wasn't huge but he was heavy. he was about 4 weeks older then the BR and fed 16 people.
now I'm really leaving..... just waiting on my friend to arrive.

I love Bourbon Reds. They are a nice looking bird when fully mature. Hopefully I will be able to raise a couple to that age next year now that I have more predator proof housing. And the Midget Whites are also slow to mature. They just don't get as big as the other heritage breeds so they are better for people who want a smaller turkey for the table.

 

[gracejr]

Yeah, I'm not a fan of the mutant birds either. We're hoping to raise out chicks for meat next year, but we'll stick to "real" breeds, not Cornish X. Like you, I don't want to have to slaughter by X date, I want to be able to do it when we have time and can get around to it. Having birds that are sick or die because they weren't butchered in time, not my cup of tea. Bourbon Reds really are such beautiful birds too! Size wise though, Midget Whites may work out better. At least I've got plenty of time to figure it out!

 

[superchemicalgirl]

The only size issues I've had with the BR turkeys are they can reach the top of my coop while on the roost. We didn't put plywood over top of the entire ceiling, I don't know why... but we are going to have to do it soon - the BRs are picking the ceiling insulation out! They also make the roosts bow when they jump up there, but I'm happy they're finally roosting (it only took 5 months!) where they should be versus outside on the fence.

 

[gracejr]

Another question... Are there any places local that offer heritage poults in the spring? Or would you suggest ordering online? If online, favorite sources?

 

[ashandvine]

Thriller was a good host and I did get a lot of love n oohs and aaahs over your birds. Those goats! I have to convince bf. The pic of the birds is funny. They DO look like they might start dancing in sync.

So, cranky warning: I was angry this morn. I went out to the barn and found that late night owl bf came in very late AND LEFT THE BARN DOORS OPEN! It was super cold and I had my new FCBM cockerel in there alone. He was wheezing this morning! He hasn't even been here 72 hours and my family is trying to kill him! He is great for breeding as far as type and color and feathering etc. Feet are a little pink but still. It didn't help that he had dumped his water and apparently slept in it. So I brought the loud boy in, blow dried him and got the VetRx. He crowed loudly many times, hopefully annoying bf who I think deserved it at that point. The baby was terrified though. Someone please tell me its possible for birds to get colds AND recover?

 

[Widget]

Another question... Are there any places local that offer heritage poults in the spring? Or would you suggest ordering online? If online, favorite sources?

The first year I tried Bourbon Reds I ordered them through my local feed store. Last year I ordered through Cackle since I could also order chicks to meet the minimum number. No difference since the feed store also orders through Cackle. The feed store was easier since I didn't have to leave work to get to the post office. As for Midget Whites they are pretty much online (Ideal has them) but you have to buy in lots of 10-15. I've had some luck locally finding them but that has been by chance at a couple swaps.

 

[buckabucka]

Thriller was a good host and I did get a lot of love n oohs and aaahs over your birds.  Those goats!  I have to convince bf.  The pic of the birds is funny.  They DO look like they might start dancing in sync.

So, cranky warning:  I was angry this morn.  I went out to the barn and found that late night owl bf came in very late AND LEFT THE BARN DOORS OPEN!  It was super cold and I had my new FCBM cockerel in there alone.  He was wheezing this morning!  He hasn't even been here 72 hours and my family is trying to kill him!  He is great for breeding as far as type and color and feathering etc.  Feet are a little pink but still.  It didn't help that he had dumped his water and apparently slept in it.  So I brought the loud boy in, blow dried him and got the VetRx.  He crowed loudly many times, hopefully annoying bf who I think deserved it at that point.  The baby was terrified though.   Someone please tell me its possible for birds to get colds AND recover?

I had a bird recover from some weird respiratory thing. I've heard good things about VetRx, although I've never used it. I am wondering, does anyone use oxine? They make it sound like a cure-all. I'm thinking about ordering some.

I can't figure out what to do with my sick/lame hen. She is alert, has an excellent appetite, but cannot walk around like a regular chicken. How long should I wait for her recovery?

DH, while not pleased about it, will kill her if I wish. We won't be eating her, since we don't know about her illness. I think the lab will euthanize free of charge if you are having a necropsy done, but no one else is sick, so I'm not sure I need that information (except out of curiosity).