Please tell me about Beltsville small white turkeys

[taraann81]

I'm not sure if thats the correct name but its something like that and I'm sure you turkey experts out there will give me the correct name.. I was offered some hatching eggs for these guys. They are 20 a dozen. Is that a fair price? Also anything at all you can tell me about them will me great as I have never raised turkeys before.
Thanks
Tara

 

[gypsy2621]

Hi Taraann,

I have 2 Midget Whites, and one Tom is sweet the other is a nightmare child, he has to be in a brooder by himself , what a mean stinker he is.
I am learning as I go also. I have raised other turkeys and thought I would give these guys a chance. although Brutus is quickly working his way to the BBQ grill.

The Toms get to 20 lbs and the hens lighter.
They are a pretty bird for a white.

I paid $12.00 per bird as 4 week old poults so $20.00 for eggs sounds very reasonable to me.
even if only 2 birds hatch out you are still saving a good amount of cash by hatching them out.

ETA: forgot to ask how the kitten rehoming is going., all but 1 of mine is homeless right now but I am sure someone will want the little guy.

 

[taraann81]

Thanks for the info Gypsy. The kitten rehoming is not going so well. I feel like there are kittens everywhere. I have found a home for 3 of them, all great homes with close friends of mine or family. So I still have 7 left. I have fallen in love with everyone of them but could never afford the vet bills to keep them. My mom is taking the mom of the older litter and I think we will keep the sweet orange mama. It's tough, maybe I am being too chosey but I want them to go to homes where they will be neutered and spayed and be indoor cats(not barn cats). How is that pretty little tabby with the strange coloring? I'd love to see an up to date pic!

 

[gypsy2621]

I am so sorry its so hard to place kittens right now, so many people out of work or losing their jobs.
I do understand not wanting them to go and be barn cats.

The 2 funny colored kittens are a Chocolate and a Red Tiger, very pretty.
I will see if I can snap a picture of the red tiger.

such a pretty little thing

 

[taraann81]

That is a pretty kitty it has interesting stripes and spots. Reminds me a bit of my big old siamese cross Balou!

 

[gypsy2621]

According to genetic fanatics I have spoken to about the 2 different colored kittens, the only way to get these colors is to have siamese be in the back ground of one of the parent cats.
My guess with momma being a grey striped tiger she is the siamese carrier.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Quote:
$20 a dozen for Belts is a good deal - we sell ours for $40 a dozen. At one time back in late 1940's they were the #1 selling Thanksgiving bird in the US until the Broad Breasted types came into the scene.

The Belts are a very hardy turkey, great layers, and very healthy over all.

Steve in NC

 

[taraann81]

Steve, thanks for the info. I am pretty excited about them. Can I raise them with my rock barr chicks and can they free range with my chickens and ducks?

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

we always start ours with chicks for the first week, the chicks will help show the poults how to eat and drink. After that we seperate them and feed the poults a 28% protein game bird starter. The poults need a higher protien level than the chicks.

Our Belts live with Cochin chickens and they get along just fine.

Hopefully you will get lots of these!!!!!!!!!!

Steve

 

[taraann81]

ADORABLE! I hope so too!