Tribute to @memphis and her Lapper turkeys

[R2elk]

May 22, 2016 @memphis wrote

You get a gold star for cleaning the barn Feisty! I kept meaning to clean coops, but somehow just didn't get around to it. Other than the party, I was a bum!

Folks have always gathered in the back. With the shade & all the plants it's just cooler. And nice in the evenings. Everyone has fallen for the turkeys. And boy do the girls eat up the attention.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-17050067

 

[R2elk]

May 23, 2016 @memphis wrote

See, now that's making the most of a situation. ...turkey hen back massages! Too funny R2elk! . I learned about prairie dogs while working on the new Denver Airport. They were all over the old airport, Stapleton. The joke was we were going to send the crew bus back for them. I had no experience with them, but was quickly informed how nasty they are. Sure hope they become good prairie dogs fast.

Ralph, JJ & Ethel are a couple of characters! I love the JJ stories. Mine have a way of inserting themselves into the middle of anything going on around here. I know I've spoiled them, but they are such sweeties....it's hard not too. Oh well....it's just the two of them, and they really are good girls...why not.....

Finally! Another Penguin!! Yippee! And Ralphie, you let Ethel rule her nest!! She's a good moma!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-17051303

 

[R2elk]

May 23, 2016 @memphis wrote

Before leaving for work I clipped a box fan onto the turkey coop. Going to be close to 90 today. Just got home & found both turkeys standing on their lawn chair, wings held open about 8 inches from the fan. Just enjoying the day!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-17052946

 

[R2elk]

May 25, 2016 @memphis wrote

Here is a weird one. My vet called me. Apparently our only avian vet in town is doing a talk at their monthly vet association meeting on treating chickens & turkeys. Seems many of our small animal vets are getting copious inquiries about treating chickens/turkeys. Needless to say the avian guy is covered up with chickens. He's is going to do an overview for small animal guys in the hopes they can start seeing fowl with simple injury, bumble foot or worm issues. Yep...I'm providing the demo turkey & chicken. Hoping I will learn a few things too! Scheduled for June.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-17062604

 

[R2elk]

May 25, 2016 @memphis wrote

Ralphie I asked the same questions. This is the Memphis Veterinary Assoc. bi-monthly meeting. They have it at the Hilton. He requested a turkey that is used to being handled. My vet felt because of the larger size it would be a better demo size. Apparently the avian vet only sees clients two days a week because he also covers the zoo here and the one in Jackson MS. And he covers the rapture rehab center. His main clients are exotic birds and is sick of seeing all the chickens in town. I also asked what the heck he was "demo-ing" on my bird. The avian guy is going to call me next week to discuss. So bottom line....my birds will be the only ones there and it's not in a location they could pick up some weird bird thing.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-17063411

 

[R2elk]

May 25, 2016 @memphis wrote

Ethel probably enjoyed the attention & the company. Obviously she trusts you. What a good girl. Seriously. ..poor girls sitting all alone for days. Especially when your dealing with a social turkey. I'm beginning to think the only way Daisy would brood is if she could sit on my lap for a month eating bon bons.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-17064658

 

[R2elk]

May 25, 2016 @memphis wrote

Oh wow! Just got an email from the Ohio National folks. They ARE having it this year. They had to cancel last year due to the avian flu. Dates are November 12 & 13. They are listing a bunch of National meets for various breeds. Apparently the breed orgs are still scheduling. Starting to list judges...amazing group so far. Here is their website: www.ohionational.org. They also have a Facebook page. I've been wanting to go for YEARS. They are also premiering "Chicken People", a documentary. Quite the social line up...cocktails & breed talks in the evening at the host hotel.

Let's go ya'll! Come on now...what could he better than 5000 of the top birds in the country then spending the evening with drunk chicken people!!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-17064817

 

[R2elk]

May 26, 2016 @memphis wrote

That baseball size hail sounds horrible Feedman. We've had one storm after another this week. Ton of rain & wind. Doesn't bother my chickens at all, the turkeys retire to their roosts. Heading to Ste. Genevieve tomorrow. Looks like a rainy weekend ahead.

Dgibson... some hens are better than others at raising a brood. Seems to me older, more experienced hens can do a good job. Feedman, Ralphie, & R2elk all seem to have good moma hens.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-17069781

 

[R2elk]

May 27, 2016 @memphis wrote

Knucklehead doesn't appear to be as "Bronze" as Feedman's bird. I'm agreeing with Ralph...black barred.

I really like Feathersite. Especially the way he describes the temperament of the birds. And will site personnel experience. Fun site to snoop around on.

Still nothing but rain. Had the turkey hens out to forage in a light mist. Wimps lasted about 10 minutes then retired to my dry back porch overhang. The chickens are just trudging through the mud. Doesn't bother them at all

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-17072964

 

[R2elk]

May 27, 2016 @memphis wrote

Aurora.... if you divide your 100 feet of fencing into four 25 foot sides you'll be providing the 650 square feet of lounging space. Divided by however many turkeys you have....which I've lost track of! I'm going to say it should be a nice pen for them.

Couple things I do in the hot & humid south:

Obviously shade is huge
I have misters along one section of fencing & the birds will hang out there.
I hang box fans on their coop to keep the air moving.
I have a small kiddie pool. All chickens & turkeys will stand in it. Just about 2-3 inches of water. The turkeys will actually lay down in it & throw water around like a dust bath. I empty this each evening due to poopies!
I also provide several 2x4 roosts by the misters in the shade. These are only a foot off the ground but they do use them.

Heat scares me...I try hard to keep them comfortable.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-17073217