Should I sell my breeders or sell their eggs or hatch them out or what

[happydog]

I bought my turkeys to eat! However, I really liked one of the toms, he developed early, is a fine physical specimen (which he reminds me of constantly, lol) and just has a nice personality. I've only got him and two hens left and I can't decide what to do with them.

Ok, I can see that I'm not going to be eating them. And I sure don't want to keep them as pets.

They're about 9 months old and just started laying. I put an ad on CL for $130 for a breeding trio. Someone called and wants to buy one of the hens for $40. I'm not inclined to do that because that would only leave a pair, and I don't think a pair would sell as well as a trio.

On the other hand, nobody else has called at all. I advertised them for $130 for the trio. I'm in western NC and not a lot of interest up here maybe. Maybe my price is way too high or nobody buys turkeys in the winter?

Then I thought, well I wouldn't mind keeping them myself. Maybe I could sell the eggs or hatch them myself and sell the poults? It just seems a shame to just be eating the eggs for breakfast...

aaccckkkk I can't decide what to do!! Any advice??

 

[paddock36]

Why not sell the eggs or the poults? You could sell some on BYC, craigslist, or maybe a local auction.

 

[Judy]

I agree, if you're inclined to keep them, at least look into whether there is a market for poults or chicks. I would think there would at least be a market for table birds for the holidays. I know I'd buy one. Maybe you could eat some eggs and hatch some at the right time.

You'd probably just worry about whether they had a good home if you sold them. And they must be wonderful eye candy.

 

[SED]

What kind are they?

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Your price it probably to high, here in eastern, NC they go around $50 a pair, but there are alot of people with turkeys around here.

Steve

 

[happydog]

Quote:
duh, I forgot the most important thing, lol. They're Bourbon Reds.

I raised BRs and Royal Palms this year and I decided that between them I much prefer the BRs. I also have a trio of Royal Palms and trying to sell them as well. But no luck. I've been reading craigslist ads to find out what they're selling for around here and that's how I arrived at the pricing. I really want to get rid of the RPs so I guess I should just lower the price.

I see now why they say you don't make any money with turkeys. By the time you've fed them for so long and managed to keep them from killing themselves, it's kind of discouraging to sell them so cheap. I did really well with the poults and didn't lose a single one until they were adult and half of them managed to squeeze in between two buildings and beat themselves to death.

 

[SED]

Here in Alabama I have been getting $35.00 for 9 month old jakes. Like Steve said, I have seen pairs go for $50.00. I would think a trio would sell for around $75-$80. If I lived closer I would buy them from you. I need another tom.

 

[dmiravalle]

Turkey eggs are great for eating. Talk about a big omelette. I haven't noticed any taste difference with the eggs either.

 

[SED]

Quote:
I cracked a couple open the other day and noticed that the yolk was ALOT thicker than a chickens egg. Is that normal?

 

[dmiravalle]

Hmm, I didn't really notice that on ours. I whip them up and make omelettes. They were good, but honestly, I didn't notice any difference between chicken and turkey.