Stella's Social Club

[Happy Chooks]

Well, my 2 remaining toms are going to a new home on Tuesday. It became painfully obvious today that turkeys and chickens don't mix well. One of the toms (hatched end of May) was trying to woo one of my chicken hens. When she decided to issue the thwap down, the fight was on and the 2 turkeys ganged up on her. Even my interruption (via the gentle foot) of the fight didn't stop them - they were determined to get her. Her comb is torn a bit. They are easily 4 times her size. So I will not be having turkeys unless I can have a completely covered run (they still don't go in at night) and a separate coop for them.

 

[kathyinmo]

I got an email about my turkey order....
I am actually glad, too.


Hello,

Unfortunately we won't be able to fill your poult order this year after
all.
The extreme heat we had this season really took it's toll on our
production here. Lots of our hens stopped laying way earlier than
normal and our fertility rates really dropped off as well.

If you will allow us to put your order off until first thing next
spring we will get them shipped at that time.
If not we will just cancel your order and issue you a full refund.

Please let us know what you decide,

Kevin

Porter's Rare Heritage Turkeys

 

[NotAFarm]

I've been pitching my pair of Bourbon Red turkeys to people I know. .I'd like to see them go to a home that will keep them as a breeding pair but right now, I'd settle for them going. They have to be in the middle of everything going on. Like Kelly, I don't have a good place to keep them separated with sufficient space for them. I hate keeping them penned in their coop and 12 x 12 dog kennel run but I've caught them running the hens out of the nest boxes so they have limited time outside free-ranging. I think they are wonderful, friendly birds but with my limited set-up, they need to go......
I was outside in the yard cleaning flower beds and then went in for lunch....when I came back I had "obstacles" in the flower bed, right where I was working.....





All seven of Elska's chicks were taking advantage on the freshly dug edge to have a dusting party!

I had to start at a different place until they finished.....

 

[kathyinmo]

I love watching those babies dust bathe, or sun bathe! Sweet little things!

 

[kathyinmo]

I caught a couple of my Icelandic girls on camera today.






Grandson talking to Grandpa about molting.....

 

[mlm Mike]

Well, my 2 remaining toms are going to a new home on Tuesday. It became painfully obvious today that turkeys and chickens don't mix well. One of the toms (hatched end of May) was trying to woo one of my chicken hens. When she decided to issue the thwap down, the fight was on and the 2 turkeys ganged up on her. Even my interruption (via the gentle foot) of the fight didn't stop them - they were determined to get her. Her comb is torn a bit. They are easily 4 times her size. So I will not be having turkeys unless I can have a completely covered run (they still don't go in at night) and a separate coop for them.

I have not had that problem. I do have a rogue rooster that tries to woo the Tom though.

 

[The Sheriff]

Two of my Tom turkeys will be on the same bus outta here as Kelly's! I will be keeping one tom and 3 hens. I went out to find a huge fight going on with the biggest tom dragging the second biggest around the yard by his snood! The small tom was in the middle of it displaying his feathers and the three girls were trying to break it up too. I rushed in but I had a difficult time getting him to let go. We went from one side of the yard to the other. I finally managed to get him to let go but they kept fighting. I finally distracted them with some scratch on the ground. I think it was a death match had I not been out there to break it up. Hopefully keeping only one male will solve the problem. If not, they are all outta here! Life's too short for mean turkeys!

Kathy, now you can get some goats!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Beautiful Kathy! Love the 2nd girls leg color.

Other Mary - I too love their personalities, but my set up just isn't working for them. (my runs aren't covered) Add to it that they don't go in to the coop at night - they are bound to be dinner for some critter one of these nights. I learned a lot and now know what I need to have if I want them again.

And aren't you a sweet chicken mommy - going elsewhere to clean up flower beds.

 

[debs_flock]

I'm amazed with the problem you've all been having with the turkeys (I hope I'm not jinxing myself). My original turkey was a Royal Palm that I hatched and used some silkies as tutors. She is still living in the same run with the three silkie/showgirls and a small group of araucana (which are heavily male). She is HUGE, at least four times the size of the largest araucana roo.

The 14 poults I got from Porter's are half Royal Palm and half Slate. The boys have been starting to puff up and strut, but they are live together with four silkies (their original tutors). They are probably double the size of the silkies and silkies are seriously passive.

So far everyone is one big happy family! I'll probably go out this morning to a scene of carnage!

Deb

 

[Happy Chooks]

Probably because your turkey is a hen Deb. And your boys may not be old enough yet - Mary and mine hatched at the end of May. Good luck!