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Does anyone happen to have a young (hatched this year) Bourbon red Tom that they'd like to save from being dinner? The folks in the turkey forum told me for sure how to know if mine are hens or toms based on their breast feathers now that they're old enough. Turns out, all 4 of them are hens lol.
 
Auroradream26 said:
Does anyone happen to have a young (hatched this year) Bourbon red Tom that they'd like to save from being dinner? The folks in the turkey forum told me for sure how to know if mine are hens or toms based on their breast feathers now that they're old enough. Turns out, all 4 of them are hens lol.
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Not sure how far you want to drive but here's one I just found on a quick craigslist search.
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/grd/5186558202.html
 
Auroradream26 said:
Does anyone happen to have a young (hatched this year) Bourbon red Tom that they'd like to save from being dinner? The folks in the turkey forum told me for sure how to know if mine are hens or toms based on their breast feathers now that they're old enough. Turns out, all 4 of them are hens lol.
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So how do you tell???? We just have one tom and 3 hens so none to share, but our hens have fanned their tail feathers at the chickens when they were annoyed (hens can do that right? I don't have two submissive toms or anything, right? Our tom's snood is long and dangly and the hens aren't at all but hubs was concerned that they can fan their tail feathers).

Also, I don't know where you are, but I'll be driving east from Pittsburgh on Halloween weekend if you are near my route to Allentown and want the craigslist tom (and if they'll hold him for you for that long). Always happy to help transport :)
 
emorems0 said:
So how do you tell???? We just have one tom and 3 hens so none to share, but our hens have fanned their tail feathers at the chickens when they were annoyed (hens can do that right? I don't have two submissive toms or anything, right? Our tom's snood is long and dangly and the hens aren't at all but hubs was concerned that they can fan their tail feathers).

Also, I don't know where you are, but I'll be driving east from Pittsburgh on Halloween weekend if you are near my route to Allentown and want the craigslist tom (and if they'll hold him for you for that long). Always happy to help transport :)
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Thanks for the offer. I'll see what's going on and get back to you on that :)

From what they told me is that the breast feathers of a hen will have a thin white tip on them and the toms will not. They will be sold dark colored. So, my "Adam" who is always strutting and fanning her tail is now, once again Eve. Her snood is never big and floppy and she's never gobbled but has a big wattle, caruncles, and struts lol. Here's a picture of her breast feathers with the white tips and hwe boy-ish head.

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AnneInTheBurbs said:
What will you do with all your free time now? Maybe see the rest of your family?
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I'm going to build a larger incubator during the "off season" and see if I can hatch more chicks next year.
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Seriously. Don't tell my relatives, though, they might stage an intervention. Good thing that as long as I work quietly in my basement, they tend to leave me alone . . .
 
dheltzel said:
I'm going to build a larger incubator during the "off season" and see if I can hatch more chicks next year.
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Seriously. Don't tell my relatives, though, they might stage an intervention. Good thing that as long as I work quietly in my basement, they tend to leave me alone . . .
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I guess all the warning signs posted on the basement door are fairly effective than?
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theemerichfam said:
Hey everyone! Where in PA can you see about getting adult hens? My family wanted to expand our flock and not sure where to look, thanks!
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You want young pullets, near point-of-lay, if you ask for "adult hens" you might get some that are 2 or 3 years old and not laying well any more. There are a lot of deals out there that really are "too good to be true", including chickens. Just be aware that not every seller is trustworthy. That said, older chickens for sale are pretty scarce, especially this time of year. Sometimes you can find some if you lurk in the BST (buy-sell-trade) forums here, or on Craigslist. Personally, I won't allow birds older than a few days into our flock. Too much risk of bringing in a disease.

IMO, this is a perfect time to get chicks and raise them to lay next spring. They feather quickly and can be moved outside in a few weeks, where they adjust to the cooler weather gradually as the seasons change. With no need for supplemental light, they should start laying around March.

Of course, I might be making that case because I'm overrun with surplus chicks right now . . .
 
theemerichfam said:
Hey everyone! Where in PA can you see about getting adult hens? My family wanted to expand our flock and not sure where to look, thanks!
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Welcome to the fun-fore-all. Depending on your location in the state there are several people in here that would be willing and able to help with flock expansion plans.
 
Chaos18 said:
I guess all the warning signs posted on the basement door are fairly effective than?
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Yup, I have my room down there. It even has a sign my niece made that says "Dennis's Fish Room" (left from my previous "over the top" hobby). Everyone that knows me fears what might be behind that door.

"better the devil you know" seems to be the reason they leave me alone, who knows what I might pick up next if I get tired of poultry . . .

I wonder if chipmunks make good pets?
 

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