Midget whites

[iajewel]

I ordered 12 Midget whites from Welps, and got 11 and a White Holland. They were in the mail for an extra day in the heat, so really glad I only lost one, to bad it wasn't the Holland White. Its so cute to watch those little boys act like big boys strutting around. They're such hot stuff LOL. Now, I need some that are not related. I have no idea what cluster muck these came from as from what the hatchery told me, they were at the end of the laying season and the breeder had sold off most of the adults. This tells me that these are probably all siblings. Anyone near SW Iowa have a Tom? ok.. some hens are fun too.. but I really need a Tom that did not come from Welps.

 

[MissTurkey4]

If your box said New Mexico with a 88130 your turkeys were drop shipped from Privett Hatchery. That’s where most of the Midget whites come from. They might not be siblings. The problem when it is hot out is the eggs are not fertile do to the semen being killed by the heat. I have noticed a decline in fertility in mine. Sand Hill also sells Midget Whites. I just talked to Glen yesterday. He also is having problems do to the heat. Your best bet is get a order in early with someone because they sell out fast and do not lay as many eggs as other breeds. Midget whites are very early egg layers. Mine start laying early January.

 

[iajewel]

Mine came from Iowa.. I live in Iowa by the way, and there is now New Mex on the box.. I just ran out the looked. Also.. I don't want chicks, I wanted to buy an adult Tom. Thats why I ask if anyone close had them So I can buy an older bird.

 

[onthespot]

I have a growing out Tom, about 2/3 grown out... if you get desparate. He was going to be my Thanksgiving turkey, but if you really really wanted him... he is 1/2 Whelp, 1/2 S and S Poultry

 

[iajewel]

Quote:
I hate to take your dinner... I won't need a Tom until next year. My guys are little now. Im just getting started. I see you are in Calf. That would be a long way for a adult bird to ship also.

Since you obviously eat your birds.. what is the dressed weight ( or close to it) that the Midgets dress out to? From the photos, they look like a large Chicken size? I have actually never seen a adult Midget white. ya.. IM REALLY just getting started.

 

[onthespot]

I have not ever been able to eat a Midget White before. They always get sold, $50-75 each. I just don't want to eat one bad enough, LOL. Maybe this year....
Yeah, I think shipping would be rough on them. People do ship them, but still. I would say don't neccessarily shy away from the hatchery ones. You will want to keep choosing smaller toms, with good meat, and good MW type, and you can get your breeding flock lined up more the way you prefer they look in a couple of years. You will find quite a bit of variety in size with MW from hatchery. That is just the way it goes. What I DO give them points for is high breeding drive and good fertility. Often backyard breeders choose the gentlest tom, which might also have the lowest testosterone level, and all that implies, just saying... An "alert" tom will more likely get the job done. I know you didn't ask, just thoguht I'd offer. Good luck in your search.

 

[iajewel]

THANK YOU! I didn't ask.. however Im new enough to the breed, Im grateful. I have had turkeys in the past, Im not new to poultry, what I have learned along the way is if you get serious about any breed, you may as well toss out everything you know, and shut up and listen. Every breed is different and every one has their "quirks" Im here to learn.

 

[iajewel]

By the way.. Are you kidding me? 50-75 a Tom? really? is that on the hoof? WOW... I actually ordered these guys because its just me here on the ranch now.. kids are grown and my "other" is a trucker that is only home on weekends. I still want to eat.. however cooking for one person most of the time is silly. I have always Loved the bronze and always will. I want to do something with them in the pasture.. another story.. anyway.. I got the little fella's for use, not for money. I also have always loved something different, unusual etc.. as most of us do. It never entered my mind anyone would buy them.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

I hatched out some Midget Whites that I got from Steve at S&S Poultry in North Carolina. They're about four months old now and looking pretty good. I also have some from Sandhill in Iowa that are nice. It is pretty late in the season, but you might give them a call.

 

[onthespot]

yeah, that price for toms. But this is Southern California. You could glue bent nails to a board and spray paint them pretty colors and some sucker would be along to hang it in their art gallery for $100, lol. I doubt the market would bear it in IA. Even with the hard economy, there are still people with mad money in their pockets around here and they spend. Monday I have a lady coming to look at my trio of bourbon reds for training her dog to herd them, for $150. They can get a special award or certification for their herding title if they can herd turkeys or something. Too bad she didn't call a few days ago, because it was a nice quad. One noisy hen is in the fridge resting right now, gonna be food this weekend. I'da much rather sold her for the $50, and the lady would much rather have four birds to herd instead of three. I told her I have a couple week old poults, and a few eggs in the incubator, I can raise them up for her and she can buy them later and add them to the flock. She said "Okay, that sounds good."