The Old Folks Home

[lilwildrabbit]

Been kinda busy lately haven't had the chance to stick my nose in anything since the big change here. But do have a new member of my flock and it's a bigun! Here it is

Yes that a temp sensor there next to it lol

 

[chickadoodles]

Went out this morning. Managed to get a thing of wet food in a cat dish into her nest without losing digits. Didn't see the chicks. Cleaned the ducks and goats out and kept going back, at some point she moved to be laying on top of the cat bowl.
I can hear the chicks.
But I don't see them.
I put a lamp in there with them.
Lamp died a few hours ago, got new batteries for tomorrow.
Put a bowl of water out there this evening, almost lost digits.

Further updates for the next 24 hours, then it's BF's problem.

I'm so excited for you and for your turkey mom! I am so happy she has accepted the chicks!

 

[getaclue]

lil, Congratulations!

 

[Beer can]

up
Good looking rooster. Makes me think of old Foghorn Leghorn. "I say there son".

He's a big boy, and the calmest rooster I've ever had. Notice the 5/8" garden hose behind him, his legs are as big round. Not sure his weight anymore, my digital scale only goes to 13lbs.
The pullets I hatched from him were 10lbs by nine months, bigger than the moms.

 

[pertnear09]

He's a big boy, and the calmest rooster I've ever had. Notice the 5/8" garden hose behind him, his legs are as big round. Not sure his weight anymore, my digital scale only goes to 13lbs.
The pullets I hatched from him were 10lbs by nine months, bigger than the moms.

He does look like he's all there

 

[superchemicalgirl]

The good news is I found my Kevlar gloves.
The bad news is the Kevlar is only over the working palm surface and not over the turkey bite surface.

I spent about an hour in there, watching turkey today. The babies both came out a few times. I changed the food and water, but turkey was still steadfast over those eggs. When the babies came out she didn't try to get them to eat, and they didn't really figure it out.

Then the red one jumped out of the nesting box. I was glad I was there because immediately a guinea honed in on it. Turkey didn't seem to care.

I grabbed the chick. Turkey watched me, but didn't really make much noise. The black chick came out from underneath the turkey and I grabbed it, too, and held them. Turkey didn't really seem to care. So I made a command decision and brought them inside to the brooder.

Then I went out and grabbed Elsa, my cyclically broody Olandsk Dwarf. I threw her in the brooder. She immediately made happy mom noises, and took the chicks under her. The chicks seem a bit confused as to how to get and stay under her - I mean they went from a 40 lb mom to a maybe 2 lb mom.

The turkey never left her nest.

 

[Bunnylady]

I think I'm beginning to understand why "you turkey!" is an insult.

 

[maddysmamaw]

maddysmamaw I think your broodies need private nesting boxes - with batting cages around them for the sake of the chicks. So glad you could save those - just in the nick of time.

I agree, diva. I'm thinking of making my little coop just for broody girls

 

[chickadoodles]

Scg I have no clue about your turkey mom. But this may just be how it is for the way we are hatching and selling poultry. Like many said on the Heritage thread the broodiness is being bred out of them and they are confused or it just is not there at all.
Just so sad. thank goodness you were able to get the chicks out of her nest without her attacking you again and for your broody hen taking them.

 

[getaclue]

scg, now it's time to think dressing, giblet gravy, roast turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, etc. Get another turkey. This one's a dud.