Turkey Newbie Questions PICS ADDED

[zatsdeb]

probably broad breasted white. the rate of growth might be your best clue. they are most likely meat birds, If you want them for pets, some people try to lower the protien so they don't grow as fast, but don't know if that will help if they are like meat birds, their hearts can't handle the stress of growing older like normal chickens.

 

[Hotttmommi]

Thanks everyone. Thats what i figured. Just my luck. LOL It dont matter though they will be loved and taken care of either way. Hopefully I will be able to tell soon if they are toms or not. Thanks again

 

[medan]

they are bourben reds I think link to picture of mine and they are bourbon reds http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz45/medaniel/hurt chicks/IMG00048-20100427-2016.jpg

 

[chicks4kids]

I say BBW's as well...I have 5 just about the same age as yours, and 1 that is about 30 lbs. that was supposed to be Thanksgiving dinner last year!

If you keep them as pets, just know that they will get very big. And very social. My girl is 30 lbs. and can only get up on her special roost that is about 15" off of the ground by using a ladder with a solid back and her roost is roughly a 15x15" platform with side rails-she's too large to turn around on a 2x4. Man the accommodations I've made for this bird

If they are pets now, good luck.....they'll get ornery. She used to love everybody when she was little. Now I'm her favorite and when the kids come in, she lets them know she doesn't appreciate it. And forget my hubby coming in...she downright does NOT want him in the chicken area...(she lives w/the chickens and 1 other turkey). And she follows me everywhere...her nickname is shadow!

They'll start hobbling around like meatie chickens once they get so big. I love my bird, but sometimes I watch her walking and wonder if I did the right thing by keeping her instead of butchering her...just because it is harder for her to walk (or so it appears) and she can't roost (hardly) and she had a rough time this winter, getting a cold and not shaking it until spring hit. Just a few things to consider before deciding to keep them.

Best of luck!

 

[Hotttmommi]

Thank you so much for the advise and telling me your experience. So far they are super sweet and come running everytime i get near them. And so far my sons and hubby are welcome in their pen. I guess Ill have to see what happens between now and thanksgiving. And i am prepared to make accomodations for them if need be. Thanks everyone

 

[dab045]

If you want to look at my post I just posted Am I girls or boys mine are about 5 weeks old. Boy they were like yours seems like yesterday. So they do grow fast. Mine are both girls I just found out. Man I wanted one boy too. They are sweeties. Good Luck. Mine are pets