Texas

[yinepu]

Anyone got turkeys? I have a baby two weeks old. She's been fine up until this afternoon when i went out to check on them and she's laying with her neck stretched out and shaking her wings as if she's cold. The chicken house she's in is 70 degrees with good air flow. Not sure why she would be going down so fast or where to get quick info on this. The books I ordered have yet to arrive. Any advice or input wouldbe greatlygreatly appreciated. Thanks

sounds like chilling.
Turkey poults are extremely susceptible to chilling which can make them go down hill pretty fast. i would move her to someplace warm.. then keep an eye out for breathing issues.. speaking of which. how is her breathing?

 

[barbg1971]

sounds like chilling.
Turkey poults are extremely susceptible to chilling which can make them go down hill pretty fast. i would move her to someplace warm.. then keep an eye out for breathing issues.. speaking of which. how is her breathing?

Seems to be ok. I have some chicks inside that are too small to be outside yet so I put her in there with them. Went to check on her and she was up moving around went back about five minutes later to peek in on her and her head was down and wings were drooping, then she laid back down. It seemed almost as if standing was making her tired. So she could rest peacefully I moved her to her own box. I'm hoping she gets better

 

[yinepu]

Quote:
just keep her warm and keep an eye on her breathing.. if you hear any bubbling, gurgling or wheezing then she will have developed a respiratory infection

 

[CatKai]

Cool!

Quote:

I got to watch my pullet lay her first egg.man she was just a carrying on when I went out there my roo was too.he stood by her the whole time now he won't stop doodling lol

 

[Cockle-Dood]

If i wanted to have a turkey of my own on the table for thanksgiving, what is the grow out time for those? i think i read 6 months somewhere but am just curious...My DW said that these chickens were my gateway drug to other poultry

i told her that wasnt far from the truth, and to look out when i start playing with the idea of emu's!!!

 

[silkiesultan]

Hello fellow Texan friends.
I'm Liz from Austin and love all my chickens, sultans, silkie, frizzles. I got a sizzle boy(frizzle mix with silkie) he's about 1 yr old and needs a home, if anyone can take him I would really appreciate it. He has been a good pet chicken but need to let him go due to ordinances in the city. It makes me extremely sad but if anyone can give him a good home, please let me know.

 

[yinepu]

If i wanted to have a turkey of my own on the table for thanksgiving, what is the grow out time for those? i think i read 6 months somewhere but am just curious...My DW said that these chickens were my gateway drug to other poultry

i told her that wasnt far from the truth, and to look out when i start playing with the idea of emu's!!!

Broad breasted or heritage?

Broad breasted are basically the cornish cross of the turkey world.. larger breast and faster growth.. the heritage has a lot less breast meat but has a better over all flavor

 

[yinepu]

Hello fellow Texan friends.
I'm Liz from Austin and love all my chickens, sultans, silkie, frizzles. I got a sizzle boy(frizzle mix with silkie) he's about 1 yr old and needs a home, if anyone can take him I would really appreciate it. He has been a good pet chicken but need to let him go due to ordinances in the city. It makes me extremely sad but if anyone can give him a good home, please let me know.

I'm gonna sit back and drool.. lol.. I love the sizzles and frizzles.. but i have promised myself not to bring in any adult birds...

 

[Cockle-Dood]

Broad breasted or heritage?

Broad breasted are basically the cornish cross of the turkey world.. larger breast and faster growth.. the heritage has a lot less breast meat but has a better over all flavor

Well if im shootin for thanksgiving it would prolly be the broadbreasted...but kinda want to start a turkey/guinea pen down the road as well, so i would go heritage for them most likely. Since we are on the subject what are the grow out times for broadbreast vs heritage?

 

[yinepu]

Quote: Heritage are around 8 to 9 months.. though you can let them grow out longer for more meat and better flavor. I have some now that are hitting close to the year old mark that will be going to the freezer as soon as I have a day where the wind won't blow out the flame on my scalder.. and I have a few that are now 2 years old which will be going to the freezer as well..

Broad breasted really depends on what size you want them to be. but slaughter age is usually around 14 to 16 weeks for hens (gives you around a 16 pound bird). .. toms are usually slaughtered around 17 to 20 weeks which gives you a 25 to 35 pound bird .. so basically you can grow them out a lot faster and freeze until the holidays once they hit the weight you want