The Quack Shack

[Trimurtisan]

Probably more so. But get a couple of generations used to your soil and environment and they build their immunity.

I'm not looking to actually start raising any turkey till next spring, but that gives me plenty of time to study up on them. Of course, that the plan, and we all know impulse never fits in to the plans. I mean, being impulsive is not what I'm know for around here...

 

[rjohns39]

I'm not looking to actually start raising any turkey till next spring, but that gives me plenty of time to study up on them. Of course, that the plan, and we all know impulse never fits in to the plans. I mean, being impulsive is not what I'm know for around here...

Turkeys can be difficult for the first 8 weeks. I like to put a few week old chicks in with the Day old poults. It seems that the chicks will mentor the turkeys and keep them out of trouble. Young poults are extremely good at finding new and inventive ways to commit suicide. Once you get them to 8 weeks they are pretty indestructible.

 

[Trimurtisan]

like to put a few week old chicks in with the Day old poults.

Okay, so incubation on the chicken eggs start today. That means I've got 5 weeks to get some day old turkeys.
"Stop it Chris!"
"WHAT?!"
"You don't need turkeys!"
"How do you define need exactly?"
That's the left and right sides of my brain arguing there by the way.

 

[rjohns39]

And just because I've been accused of being an enabler, you need to visit this thread. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/unread

 

[Trimurtisan]

Good idea, put the enabling pressure on a whole turkey community!

And just because I've been accused of being an enabler, you need to visit this thread. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/unread

I had to stop reading there after I powered through about 30 pages of turkey lovers. It was some great reading with some very funny people, but I've got this weakness to deal with...

​

It is a really good thread though, one I forgot to set on follow. Thanks for reminding me of it.

 

[WVduckchick]

Exciting about the eggs! Thanks about Little Joe I am sure he died protecting his hens . He was just no match for a hawk.

Patti, I don't remember you losing Little Joe!

You may have mentioned it elsewhere and I just forgot, but so sad.

Are APA standards available without having to buy their handbook? I've been to their website a few times and find it difficult to navigate and the software to be outdated. If they are available could someone pretty pretty please post a link to them.

Also, is there a point to having a membership if you are not showing birds? The "members benefits" page doesn't give me much of a reason to want to give them money.

Maybe I'm just confused, but when reading at the livestock conservancy, they refer to the APA a lot, leaving me to think it's a wealth of information. Then when I go to their site, it's one big money sink, and a frustrating one to navigate at that. The APA obviously holds value...

I think most of the SOP's are NOT freely available, because the clubs need something to bring in money.
I bought the Bantam Assoc book and got a free t-shirt and a couple of hat pins.
It has all the SOP's in it. But it was much cheaper than the large fowl stuff. I think I only paid like $30.

And why the do white t-shirts is beyond me. I can't keep a white t-shirt clean with all these birds around!!

 

[Trimurtisan]

I bought the Bantam Assoc book and got a free t-shirt and a couple of hat pins.
It has all the SOP's in it. But it was much cheaper than the large fowl stuff. I think I only paid like $30.

And why the do white t-shirts is beyond me. I can't keep a white t-shirt clean with all these birds around!!

I thought I struck gold searching for their book on Amazon. I think it was only $25 for the large fowl and I was about to buy it, then I noticed it was a reprint of the 1915 standards.
I'm sure it would be neat just for the nostalgia of it, but not exactly what I was looking for.

So would you say the bantam book was worth the cost?
I had to learn the hard way to not wear a half way decent shirt in the mornings. I'm coming back in the house with poop on me somewhere. On the good days I find it before I leave the house too!

 

[Trimurtisan]

I just went to check on the local blanket monster. She warm as can be, and was ready to play.

Dino though is super jealous, and literally will pull my hand out of her mouth and not let Loki have any.

I don't photograph what happens next, but Loki takes that time to mount and dominate her older brother, who is much taller than her.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Just like school yard kids. lol. Chris what are your plans with your poultry? Breeding , showing?

 

[Trimurtisan]

Just like school yard kids. lol. Chris what are your plans with your poultry? Breeding , showing?

The end goal beside just having pets, is breeding and sell birds and eggs. I wouldn't mind doing some showing, but it's not very high on the want list. I'd would like to one day be recognized as a good source for healthy, well maintained and preserved breeds.

I've always loved breeding, and find genetics to be just amazing. The family went on a vacation to SC a long time ago and I got in a bunch of trouble with the wife. I studied genetics the entire time we where there. 10-12 hours a day of my nose shoved in a book, and was not happy till I understood what I needed to know. (I get very compulsive with my research at times)

However, in the plant/seed community I was involved in, I had a very good standing for quality. I do like to make hybrids, but preservation has always been a bigger part of it for me.