Six different turkeys ...

[angsaidso]

I just recieved six varieties of turkeys from Porter's (which I am thrilled with, BTW). Question ... I need to band them so I know which are which. Some look almost the same right now. I need to talk to someone with knowledge of leg band sizes since I have never used them other than for parrots years ago. What size should I buy for them right now? I assume something for small ducks or something of that nature? I know they are temporary and I will need to remove them fairly soon and move up in size, but I don't know what size to buy!!! Help please! And thank you!

 

[turkaholic]

I band all my young birds with plastic "zip" cable ties. A different color for each variety. Small 4 inch ties for the day olds and work up in size and width as they mature. Leave some room for them to grow into and don't make them tight, only so they don't slide over the foot. Trim the excess off and your good to go. Keep an eye on the bands and when they appear to be getting small, just clip them off with a pair of wire cutters and replace with a new one. When the birds are full grown, they get permanent aluminum bands. Simple and inexpensive!

 

[angsaidso]

That's a great idea! I had thought of it actually last year and forgot all about it until I read your reply! I'm so glad you reminded me. Porter's marks their turkeys by color coding the tops of their heads. But they've been here a week and the color is almost gone now! Soon, I won't know who's who. I'll stop and get some cables tomorrow. Lowe's??

 

[msmeower]

I got some Porter turkeys about 6 weeks ago and I can still see the color coding on some! Once mine got to be about 4 weeks old, you can pretty much tell which was which. I love these colorful guys!

 

[angsaidso]

Some of mine still have color coded heads too. And you can see what they are comnig up to be. But some of these I bought do not breed true so they may not turn out like the pics but are carrying the genetic codes. So I want to band them based on genetic coding moreso than color they actually become. What ones did you get, ms? I bought four of each of the Narragansett, mottled black, tiger bronze, lilac and sweetgrass. He tossed in two Fall Fires as well. I did lose one Narragansett, but I think he got stepped on in the box. It wasn't due to anything Kevin Porter did. I am really impressed with his birds. I've purchased a lot of birds, and these were, by far, some of the best I've had shipped in.

 

[suki'smom]

Does porter have a website or catalog? Very interested

 

[Scottingitup]

I band all my young birds with plastic "zip" cable ties. A different color for each variety. Small 4 inch ties for the day olds and work up in size and width as they mature. Leave some room for them to grow into and don't make them tight, only so they don't slide over the foot. Trim the excess off and your good to go. Keep an eye on the bands and when they appear to be getting small, just clip them off with a pair of wire cutters and replace with a new one. When the birds are full grown, they get permanent aluminum bands. Simple and inexpensive!

Where do you get the aluminum bands?

 

[msmeower]

I ordered the mixed lot of poults and got a nice mix. I don't have the invoice in front of me but I got blue slate, black spanish, different shades of pencilled palm, golden harvest, narrangansett, white, buff and a lacey buff looking guy. Can't wait to order again next spring!

 

[KristinMarie]

You have to be careful if you use zip ties to band the legs because they can tighten even more if they get squeezed or pushed on. You have to keep a super close eye on them and once they do get too tight it is really difficult to get them cut off. While I have done it in a pinch, I think that using actual leg bands would be the safer option.

 

[Frosty]

Does porter have a website or catalog? Very interested

http://www.porterturkeys.com/ The hard part is deciding what kind you want. Kevin is terrific to order from, and always takes the time to answer emails. I ordered from him twice so far and am really impressed with the quality of the turkeys (as adults as well as the poults when I receive them). I don't know where you are located, but mail can be slow getting here (the middle of North Dakota), Kevin does offer the option of express mail.