Sounds like you've got things under control! Yeah, breeding is what I want to do & get out of ordering from hatcheries. I can always have hatching eggs shipped to me if I really need some new blood lines.
Was thinking of hunting our own turkeys this year. I hope they come back to our back pasture this year. I would always hear them calling in spring. They are starting to show themselves too, lately. Just not near here yet.
Royal Palm turkeys are mighty pretty. They kind of stand out though. Easy pickings for preds! Until I can set up for them, we're going to hunt the wild ones. I hear from my dad all the time how finicky turkeys are to raise. I'll research at some point, if I know I can make the space for them.
Your brooder floor sounds good. With new chicks, I put them on top of paper towels (which are on top of shavings) for first 3 days. That way you don't get splayed legs. After a few days, remove paper towels & they should figure out not to eat them. Even after a few days, my chicks would still eat the darn shavings, as they were a particularly dusty batch. No harm done though. I wonder if solid shelf liner would be of use on top of the plywood floor? Easier for clean up. Just a thought. Similar to idea of putting down linoleum on coop floor.
Well, have fun building! If I only knew how to operate a table saw & follow plans, perhaps I could build one myself! Hubby wants to do it though. He's got time until Easter!
