Thinking about getting turkens...

[Jrose]

I apologize if this could be in a better topic, wasn't sure where to post breed questions!

I happened across photos of the turken and fell in love with their dorkiness. I'd like to hatch some eggs this coming spring and have been idly browsing for turken hatching eggs, to no avail!

I have two questions. First, I live in SW Idaho, summers average 90-100, but can creep up to 115, with very little humidity. Winter averages 15-30, but can creep below 0, sometimes we get a little winter humidity/bite. This IS a desert though, so we almost never get more than 6" of snow in a year, and overall precipitation is low. I've read the turkens are hardy, but some people report they can be cold sensitive. Does anyone have experience with this?

Second, if my climate is appropriate for them, who the heck sells turken eggs?

I've seen some varieties that I think look neater than others, but I also remind myself that I will love the bird no matter how it hatches.

 

[foreverlearning]

The trick is to get them as early in the spring as possible. You want them to have time to grow big enough to survive the next winter. You may need to look at hatcheries or local shows for your stock. The first week of Feb is usually when the feed stores start selling chicks and hosting trade days out front for local breeders. If you keep you coop clean and draft free you shouldn't have any problems in winter. I have a friend that keeps them in a covered hoop coop in TN in the winter and does just fine.