Oscellated Turkeys

[pongoid]

Hello I am new to the board and to the raising of fowl.

I would like to raise Oscellated Turkeys. Anyone know where I can order some?
Anyone know what the market is for their feathers?

 

[longranger]

You can not order them. They are rather difficult to raise and are only present in captivity in small numbers. Consequently they are very expensive. I theoretically would love to raise them too but after visiting a person who has done so for 20 years and seeing just how difficult it was changed my mind. They are near suicidal flighty even if the owner tries to imprint with them as chicks. One statement I have heard but cannot verify is that they do not breed till about 3 years old. That would need confirmation.

 

[pongoid]

Well thats disappointing. I wonder if there are crosses out there. I am after the plumage and want to raise something that aligns with my heritage since I am Mexican.

 

[longranger]

There are hybrids. The males have very nice plumage. Not exactly like the Occelated but close. The females look basicly like the north american wild.

 

[ihvpower]

That IS a shame..Ocellated Turkeys are so pretty!

 

[PatS]

Wow, I just pulled up an image from google.

What a beautiful bird. Looks like a cross between a turkey and a peacock!

 

[pongoid]

Here are some photos gleaned from Google Images.



This last one is the Famous Harpy Eagle of Aztec and Maya fame. A potent symbol for the Indians of Mexico

 

[pongoid]

I still want some.

 

[OmaBird]

There is a girl in CA that use to sell them. I got my silky ducks from her. She might be on E-bay. She use to come to BYC years ago.

Best person to ask about selling feathers would be Porter. http://www.porterturkeys.com/turkeyfeathersforsale.htm

 

[pongoid]

Thanks Oma