Trying to decide which breed.

[safarichick101]

Ok, so my birthday is around the corner (the 30th) and for my 14th birthday I want some turkeys. We're not really supposed to have any poultry but we have a rooster and nobody complains about him. We're sorta grandfathered in because the man who owned our house owned the whole neighborhood.. that was his ranch. But anyways, we have nearly 3 acres and people kinda expect that we would be aloud to have livestock.. when really we are only aloud to have single hoofed animals (horses and donkeys). I already have 10 chickens but from what I have heard turkeys are even quiter. I really just want a trio.

I was thinking about royal palms since they are so beautiful. But I think I would prefer a more docile, big breed. So I was thinking Narragansetts, blue slates, or bourbon reds. What do ya'll think?


Also, how would a 14 year old girl convince her parents to move to a farm so I can pursue my passion- raising chickens and other farm animals? I know we could afford it, and land here isn't expensive, the problem is finding land in our school district (the surrounding towns and counties have terrible schools). They are out there, its just a matter of convincing the folks.

Lol

 

[safarichick101]

Oh come on! please answer!

 

[Buffer]

Sweetgrass turkeys get my vote.

 

[safarichick101]

Oh gorgeous! Like a mix between a bourbon and a royal palm? Do you know where I might find someone who raises them?

 

[Buffer]

http://www.porterturkeys.com/

 

[Julie_A]

I'm considering turkeys for my Christmas present from my husband. Wondering if there's a temperament difference between breeds...

I'll looking at Royal Palms, Bourbon Reds and Midget Whites. I have a six-year-old daughter and don't want something that will jump on her. Nor do I want something that will go wild the first day and never be seen again. My turkeys will be housed in a large open pen (125'X110') with my chickens.

Sweetgrass looks beautiful. I saw them called "Calicos" online the other day.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Quote:
There isn't a difference, it's all in how you raise them. The more time you spend with them the more friendly they will be. There is one thing to remember with that, the cute little poult that sits in your lap could become a 30 pound tom that likes to do the same thing. When I go in the pen with them I have to shoo them out of the way.

Steve in NC

 

[bibliophile birds]

Quote:
from what i've read, sweetgrass and calicos aren't exactly the same. they have a slightly different genotype. i think the sweetgrass are a bit darker than the calicos too.

but i agree, they are beautiful! i want both!

 

[Julie_A]

Bib, after I posted, I looked a little more. You're right!!!

I think I like the sweetgrass better, too.

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

Glad to hear more young people are still getting into birds first off. As for the move, OH PLEASE OH PLEASE OH PLEASE, They'll give in, just be a kid and worry them to death over it, LOL

As for which breed, it just depends on what color pattern you like, there's is really no difference in the birds other than color, Kevin there at Porter's has about every color imaginable and a great reputation to boot, check his out, you'll find something there I'm sure.
We just have the royal palms, and 3 breeds of wilds. Oh be sure to stay Heritage in my opinion, dont mess with the ol broad breasted breeds, they dont reproduce well, or at all unless artificially done, and are huge bottomless feed pits.
The heritage size are much more manageable and reproduce just fine on their own.
Good luck and check out Steve's as well, he has some nice ones too.