Turkenstein25's Turkey Talk for 2015

[Book Em Danno25]

pretty!

 

[AmericanMom]

pretty!

I will try and update the photo's, that was when he first really started displaying.. He has it down now

I am reading a researching as much as I can on what to expect and how to prepare for the laying season.. Probably over thinking it but I am so darn excited!

 

[TeaChick]

We had no problem with the chickens we got from them 10 years ago, and they were fine (other then we ordered assorted layers and they sent us some meat birds in the mix) it's only in resent years that I have had a problem with their birds. a lady I know has had the same experience. I think they have gotten too big to really have the same quality they used to, in my opinion.

I see.
I was planning on ordering chicks from them, and I'd heard so much good about them that I was considering ordering some turkeys from them too, but I'll be re-considering all that.
Thanks for the info!!!!

Has anyone tried a cone with a turkey?
I'm inexperienced, but we're doing our first batch of meat birds in Spring, right before we get the turkeys and that's how I'm planning to dispatch those guys. I know turkeys, ducks, etc are all a little more difficult than chickens though.

I'm getting 2 Narragansetts from them in April, but it will be my first order from them. A local group of us are all going in to save on shipping and that's the place they picked so I guess we'll see.
I've used Meyer and Ideal for chicks in the past but, again not turkeys

Not sure of all the technicalities, but in my experience, breeders seem to focus on a smaller number of breeds, and really devote themselves to breeding towards the SOP for the specific breed. You generally get higher quality birds because someone has put a lot of time and effort into them specifically.
With a hatchery, it's a larger scale operation and they'll tell you flat out that birds generally aren't of show quality. You also get birds that (while perfectly sweet) are bred for production..so they may lay earlier and more regularly, but the life of the chicken is generally shorter and they stop laying younger.
Having just a backyard flock for eggs, most of my girls are hatchery. I did JUST hatch out my first chicks from a breeder, as I'm going to pick out a quad to start breeding

Thanks for the info!!!!

 

[Book Em Danno25]

hows everyone? any news on your turkeys?

 

[mymilliefleur]

hows everyone? any news on your turkeys?

My Turkeys are a bit chilly today with all the rain. I need to get them a better roosting spot with a wind brake tomorrow.

 

[Book Em Danno25]

My Turkeys are a bit chilly today with all the rain. I need to get them a better roosting spot with a wind brake tomorrow.

what kind of inclosure are they in? are there any wind breaks?

 

[mymilliefleur]

what kind of inclosure are they in? are there any wind breaks?

They are in net fencing, and have a small coop, but they would rather sleep on top of it then in it, which is not good, since they're damaging the tarp that covers it, so I need to get them a better roosting set up with a wind block. (It has been in the 60's here, but we're going into another cold snap.)

 

[Book Em Danno25]

do you have any pics of your turkeys that you want to share so i can photo edit them christmas themed?

 

[Book Em Danno25]

They are in net fencing, and have a small coop, but they would rather sleep on top of it then in it, which is not good, since they're damaging the tarp that covers it, so I need to get them a better roosting set up with a wind block. (It has been in the 60's here, but we're going into another cold snap.)

maybe make a wooden top on part of it for a snow protector and rain protector. i put my roosts under there. i also use wood boards to block the north part, where the wind is most fierce.

 

[B J Hopkins]

I have some young Bourbon Reds that are brother/sisters.Is it NOT recommended to breed them together? Do I need to get a different male for breeding?