~*Third Annual Cinco de Mayo Turkey Hatch-Athon*~ all poultry welcome!

[LoveMyChicklets]

My Polish Roo is a GL also with 2 WC Black hens, 1 Crele, 1 Sultan and 1 WC Blue bantam Frizzle.

I would definitely be up for a swapage when my girls start back to laying

 

[SilkieSensation]

My Polish Roo is a GL also with 2 WC Black hens, 1 Crele, 1 Sultan and 1 WC Blue bantam Frizzle.

I would definitely be up for a swapage when my girls start back to laying

I like to mix up the colors. Always fun to see what colirs the babies turn out.

 

[ThaiDye]

I've never had Bourbon Reds but I absolutely adore my Narrs. I had Royal Palms before (beautiful) and White Midgets (which weren't so "midgety") and like all of them! I chose Narrs because of their feathering, heritage breed and they are very friendly. One of my girls comes up on the deck and taps on the window every day until she gets her treat.

I've read that about narrs before. But if they're that friendly, do you (would you) have trouble when it comes down to harvest time? I love my chickens & cannot eat them. My neighbor has no problem there & would be helping me raise the Turks but if they follow him like a dog, he may have trouble with that

 

[Arielle]

Someone please help me decide. I want to hatch turkeys this year, but can't decide on the breed. We would want a good table bird, but also one that is easy to manage. We have 80 acres to raise them on, & would like them to free range, but don't want them wandering the neighborhood. Are there any breeds that stay close to home & are friendly, easy-going birds? I've done a little research & have narrowed it down to a couple breeds: Bourbon Reds & Narragasettes. I found a local hatchery for BR eggs (about an hour away), but don't mind buying shipped eggs if I find the right breed for me. Any advantages of one breed over another? Please advise if there's a better breed than the 2 I've listed.

THere is an advantage to getting birds already in your area-- the difference in climate can effect how birds thrive, so perhaps start with the bourbon reds. I have both, and like both. THey are turkeys after all.

Both are a medium sized turkey. Others are much bigger. Most lines need some work at regaining their meatiness.

 

[ThaiDye]

THere is an advantage to getting birds already in your area-- the difference in climate can effect how birds thrive, so perhaps start with the bourbon reds. I have both, and like both. THey are turkeys after all.

Both are a medium sized turkey. Others are much bigger. Most lines need some work at regaining their meatiness.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I've hatched many shipped chicken eggs with varying degrees of success. I feel confident that I'd have a better hatch rate with the local eggs. They also have Royal Palms & Eastern Wild type. Anyone with experience on those other breeds?

 

[Arielle]

From what I have read-- Palms were developed fo their beauty, not meat. So I stear clear of them a s a meat bird. No experience witht he astern wilds, as the acerage abutting use was stocked long ago and they birds stop in for a visit. Much taller than my domestics, and not allowed legally here.

 

[ThaiDye]

I believe I'll go with the BR's

 

[yinepu]

Someone please help me decide. I want to hatch turkeys this year, but can't decide on the breed. We would want a good table bird, but also one that is easy to manage. We have 80 acres to raise them on, & would like them to free range, but don't want them wandering the neighborhood. Are there any breeds that stay close to home & are friendly, easy-going birds? I've done a little research & have narrowed it down to a couple breeds: Bourbon Reds & Narragasettes. I found a local hatchery for BR eggs (about an hour away), but don't mind buying shipped eggs if I find the right breed for me. Any advantages of one breed over another? Please advise if there's a better breed than the 2 I've listed.

All of my turkeys are free ranging.. they stay home.. never venturing out of about a half an acre area which is closest to the feed shed.. they could go much further than that.. but mine stay very close to where we feed them

 

[yinepu]

Quote:
mine will follow me around like puppies... until I get too far from the feed shed... then they head back towards that.. so I've never had to chase any home when I go down the lane to get the mail or anything like that.. but if I am out working near where they like to stay they will be the biggest pests and follow me getting into everything I am doing in the process..

 

[uphilljill]

My MWs are the same way, and I love 'em for it.