Tribute to @memphis and her Lapper turkeys

[R2elk]

Feb. 27, 2017 @memphis wrote

So...everyone of my chickens layed an egg yesterday! Even my old 7 year old SS. No more turkey eggs. Just Annie's egg from Saturday. Which I ate on Sunday.

Annie is poking around under bushes & tight corners as if she's looking for the perfect place to set up a nest to go broody in. She got stuck in the garage between the wall & a piece of equipment. I had to extradite her. Daisy is just her usual sweet self. Trimmed bushes in front of the house yesterday. Daisy sat on the front porch supervising, but Annie stood right next to me observing the whole process. She just has to be in the middle of any activity.

Good luck with Queenie...boy turkeys can be determined!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-18119811

 

[R2elk]

Feb. 27, 2017 @memphis wrote

I'm such a dork...had to give Daisy an extra hug this morning. Ralph loosing JJ & Ethel just brought home to me how special some animals can be in our lives. Sometimes there is just that special connection that can't quite be explained. I see that with my dogs & their owners. There is always that " one" that is kind of the standard barer for all to come. The one that really made you fall in love with a certain breed. Daisy, my first turkey, couldn't be better for all she teaches me about turkeys and my first bonding experience with a turkey. Sorry....just musing....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-18120192

 

[R2elk]

Feb. 27, 2017 @memphis wrote

Well sad day here today also, we put Porter in the freezer my husband went out to take him his daily leftovers and he jumped on my husbands back and his claws went through his jeans and poked a hole in his shin to the bone. So my dad immediately went and put him down it was so sad but I knew there was nothing else to be down about it. I'm not sure how much other peoples turkeys weigh but after we plucked and cleaned him he weighed 38 lbs ,, Big boy I'm going to need a BIG pan..

Aww thats a shame Coffee. But sure don't need a bird that big attacking anything.

Dang he sure was a big'un! Geez!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-18122164

 

[R2elk]

Feb. 27, 2017 @memphis wrote

Sticking with hens.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-18123204

 

[R2elk]

Feb. 28, 2017 @memphis wrote

JR, my hens have been lappers for over two years . They never seem to cross the line. They enjoy the social interaction and become quite engaged with whatever I'm working on in the yard. My chickens are friendly too but I'm convinced its food motivated behavior. I'm also convinced my turkeys require more mental stimulation than the chickens. When I pull a tool out of the garage the turkeys want to see it & inspect it. Very close to the behavior my dogs exhibit when I bring something new into the house. Than said, I feel my turkeys are much more socially engaged than the chickens enabling them to develop more of a relationship with humans....or at least a different type of relationship. All said, and keeping in mind they are hard wired fowl.....toms and roosters, like my male dogs, will throw any relationship out the window when it comes to a willing female. That's the bottom line when dealing with tom & roosters. They just can't help themselves.

So JR, I partially agree with your statement when it comes to toms, but I think hen lappers can be appropriate. Also, my hens are leery of strangers. They will puff & bark at strangers. A crackhead would have their hands full trying to "wrassle" one of my girls. Annie has already chased one suspect down my driveway. I think in some ways running into a mad hen vs. a barking dog may be a bit more startling.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-18124194

 

[R2elk]

Feb. 28, 2017 @memphis wrote

One more thought...I REALLY enjoy hanging with my hand warmer mosquito picking lappers. There is great value in that!!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-18124243

 

[R2elk]

Feb. 28, 2017 @memphis wrote

Ralph, interesting observation. Hadn't thought of the difference in flock behavior. My turkeys are always close to me or each other. My chickens can be anywhere.

Turkeys are so interesting!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-18124512

 

[R2elk]

Feb. 28, 2017 @memphis wrote

It is just a "theory" of mine, but when you look at Dogs it is the pack trait that allows them to respond to us so well.

We are a pack animal as are they. I think we gravitated to each other.


Except for R2elk and JrNash!!!

I'm agreeing Ralph. With the pack mental....and R2elk & JR!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-18124776

 

[R2elk]

Mar. 1, 2017 @memphis wrote

Hey MotorcycleChick...what do you have in your flock.

Feedman, storm came through about 4 this morning. Ugg. Wild & wet, but we kept power. Saw that a tornado blew a bunch of vehicles off I-55 by Perryville. What a mess. Did you catch any of this?

Annie is laying regularly now. Nothing from Daisy.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-18128280

 

[R2elk]

Mar. 2, 2017 @memphis wrote

Speaking of spurs....Annie has one. Sort of a big nub/small spur. I need to take a picture of it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-century-of-turkey-talk-2000-2100.966414/post-18132811