Tribute to @memphis and her Lapper turkeys

[R2elk]

Jan. 9, 2016 @memphis wrote

Goodness it's quiet tonight! It's 36 degrees and raining. Nothing more miserable! Cold + high humidity is horrid. And it's windy.

Did get out a bit with the girls between waves of rain. It was wet, but the girls didn't care. They ended up perching on the back railing. It's covered. So they were out of the rain most of the day. I think my turkeys may be lazy. The chickens put a lot of effort into foraging. The turkeys just goof around most of the day. I also think Daisy is getting pudgy. Is that possible? Could my dear Daisy be developing a weight issue? Or maybe she's just filling out with age.....:/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-16362834

 

[R2elk]

Jan. 9, 2016 @memphis wrote

ANYTHING living in Minnesota this time of year better be tough!

I just want longer daylight hours! That makes everything better!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-16362921

 

[R2elk]

Jan. 9, 2016 @memphis wrote

Feisty, sorry that your headed to a funeral and not New Zealand. That sucks. And your broody...that's a bummer too. Let me know if you end up with an incubator.


Yep...it's staying light longer....slowly! And this cold wet just makes me want to hibernate. Minus 8 would make me move.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-16363291

 

[R2elk]

Jan. 10, 2016 @memphis wrote

-21 is scary! Where is your frost line? I'm just curious how deep you need to bury water lines.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-16364253

 

[R2elk]

Jan. 10, 2016 @memphis wrote

I can probably count on one hand the times I've bought Powerball tickets. But I bought one for this last drawing. AND will buy another. I can't even imagine. I didn't even get one number. But, I'm certainly NOT one of those who say they would keep working!

Ralphie, they keep talking about how cold that playoff game will be! Holm was on here earlier telling us how cold it was this morning. Brrrr! That's another thing I can't imagine. Are your turkeys out in this?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-16364984

 

[R2elk]

Jan. 10, 2016 @memphis wrote

Ralph, I'm ahead of you on turkey talk. There is the "Locator Call", which you have identified. There is the "I'm A Happy turkey" trill/purr. The "Danger" whine, sort of higher pitched & steady. And the "Excited Chirp". They use this when one finds a treat or is in the spa. Sort of a one syllable/note chirp. Its a happy sound. They also have an "Oh Crap" chirp which gets louder & quicker the closer whatever they are upset with gets. It sounds like a Geiger counter. Then there is the "Seal Bark", which may be what Ethel is doing. They obviously are trying to communicate something. But they've used this in several different situations and I'm still trying to figure it out.

I'm finding turkey vocalization varied and complicated!

Feisty. ..sorry about the chicks. What a bummer!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-16365553

 

[R2elk]

Jan. 10, 2016 @memphis wrote

Feisty, I really think my turkeys like this colder weather. Lots of flapping & jumping around. It's 32 here now. Not complaining. But I about froze on our daily turkey tour. They love a walk-about. Chickens too.

There are a ton more noises they make. Annie does a higher pitched chirp followed by two quick chirps. Always the longer chirp with the two shorter chirps. And repeats the three chirps. She does this if I'm walking behind her making her go somewhere she doesn't want to go. Or she'll do it if I'm trying to pick her up and she doesn't want to be picked up. She's obviously not happy when she does this so I call it her "Protest" call. I'm slowly starting to understand them.

Oddly it's one of the things I'm most intrigued with. If I pay attention to their vocalizations I can figure out what they are saying and their mood. I just find it interesting. I'm really trying to understand the meaning of the different calls.

Alas...no gobbles here.

Ralph, you just need to listen to Ethel more.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-16365745

 

[R2elk]

Jan. 10, 2016 @memphis wrote

Daisy will bark like Ethel. Can't quite figure it out. She will do it when another per SD on is with me. Is it an alarm bark, or a alert kind of thing? Don't know. Maybe she just wants my attention. I'm still working on turkey talk.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-16366168

 

[R2elk]

Jan. 11, 2016 @memphis wrote

Feisty. ...what a bummer. Not easy having to leave with a baby peeping. Maybe you should get an incubator, for a backup if nothing else. Poor little guys.

Aurora, what is Sweetpea doing when she makes that sound?

Ralphie. ..thanks for the offer....PASS! It's 20 here this morning. That's really cold for us. You realize we don't wear wool here. Can't even buy wool clothes here.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-16368019

 

[R2elk]

Jan. 11, 2016 @memphis wrote

I think that's a good idea to give Sidekick a few girls. Have you considered putting Porter in a pen with a few girls? Just until Coffee picks him up? He's gorgeous. Are you still considering adding a Bourbon Red or Royal Palm hen to the mix?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-16368025