Turkey Pictures please!!!

[frank53061]

Here are my Red Bourbons over 8 months now getting close for the first taste of what I hope a dang good Turkey meal.
My Toms are around 20 pounds Hens 10 to 15 pounds.
I pick the Toms up at night to put them in the coop and every so often I hear something coming from the Toms that sounds almost like a growl or is it that I am squeezing the air out of them and the air is making that sound its strange.
Has any one else had this happen.

 

[zekii]

Frank,
Beautiful Bourbon Reds !!!
We processed 6 of our Midget White toms 2 weeks ago, they were 6 months old, average weight was 16 LBs, we cooked a 18 Lb today
...wow it was delicous!
Enough meat for 6 people, and lots of fat to keep the meal moist & tender. You'll enjoy your turkey meal ... I am sure!!!

This was our first year doing the turkey HRB...hatch/raise/butcher. Keeping 2 midget white toms/2 hens over winter for next year breeding.
Our Narragansetts are only 4 months old, so we have another 4 or 5 months on those before we process any.

Yes I have also noticed this gurgling sound coming from my Toms when I pick them up...I think it is air that is trapped in them being expelled...

 

[razvanM]

I dont know if you have seen this site before,it is really usefull when it comes to choosing turkey breeds http://www.heritageturkeyhatchery.com/turkeys.htm
my personal favourit is the oregon gray,hope you gonna like it too.

 

[frank53061]

Frank,
Beautiful Bourbon Reds !!!
We processed 6 of our Midget White toms 2 weeks ago, they were 6 months old, average weight was 16 LBs, we cooked a 18 Lb today
...wow it was delicous!
Enough meat for 6 people, and lots of fat to keep the meal moist & tender. You'll enjoy your turkey meal ... I am sure!!!

This was our first year doing the turkey HRB...hatch/raise/butcher. Keeping 2 midget white toms/2 hens over winter for next year breeding.
Our Narragansetts are only 4 months old, so we have another 4 or 5 months on those before we process any.

Yes I have also noticed this gurgling sound coming from my Toms when I pick them up...I think it is air that is trapped in them being expelled...

Thanks for the complement I am proud of them.
Also thanks for the Info of the Sound that the Toms makes I thought that was what it might be but was not sure.
The last thing I want to do is cook a Turkey before its time because I have heard that its necessary to have that layer of fat on the Bird before Processing the Bird for the best results.

 

[EdenCamp]

Not one to do things half way......I started with turkeys this year and had wanted to start with just the narragansett but at the time they were out. So I picked up a few blue slate (that looking at that site provided look more like lilacs) and royal palms. Then a month or so later the nars were available so I picked up 4 of those as well - and another blue slate (lil bit so shes younger and smaller and having difficulty competing with the older, larger birds).

Just a note, I tried picking by head shape on the nars - squarish for males, ovoids for females - and that's the only set that I got 2 males! The blues and royals by luck of the draw got 3 hens and a tom each set.

The Nars are the biggest birds and the Palms the smallest. The Nar and Blue toms are right up "protecting" and in any visitors' business. The Blue tom is more agressive peckish, I've had to take him down several times while the Nar only a couple. Has not been an issue with the Palms. Actually the Palms don't seem to be as social as the other two breeds or as nosey. The youngest/smallest blue hen is spoiled rotten getting special rations - she's decided she's a lap bird. If I sit down out side she jumps in my lap, snuggles up and naps. Otherwise she follows me around like a puppy.

Oops! I forgot my first turkey was a giant bronze. He was given to me all ready grown. All I can say is he got VERY agressive to the point I had to carry a broom out with me. He never spurred anybody but drew blood pecking more than once. A stray got him or he would have hit the table......HUGE tho.

This batch, unless I need to cull, isn't destained for the table. Looking forward to babies next year and plumping up the freezer.
All I know is if they compare to the cornishX chickens I butchered for superior taste compared to commercial - they're ALL going to be awesome!

 

[frank53061]

EdenCamp

Great looking Turkeys you got there I really like that Grey Slate very pretty.
I am a little confused tho what breed of Turkeys are the Fury ones and was that the Tom in the picture who set on the eggs LOL

.

Everyone needs a good laugh every day and if you cant laugh sooner or later you will need madication

.

 

[cameldairy]

Mine are BBB, I started them in a tractor and when they were big enough not to get taken by hawks I turned them out in the pasture next to the camels.

 

[flappinhappy]

Myself and my BBB Error...I had a hen named Trial but she took a 1 1/2 hour dust bath in some composted mulch we got and retired of respiratory failure less than 36 hours later..I learned a valuable lesson.
My BB B's Trial and Error came to weight in about 4 months and were very docile and loved human attention.
My tom Error took over the chicken flock as guardian and will alarm when any predator is in his fantastic sight.
Next season I plan to have Auburn and Standard Bronze as they are sex linked and they can mate where the BBB cannot.
Both are heritage breeds and I think will do well here. I would love to have the Osceola however due to price a predation it may not be feasible.





I plan to get my next turkeys from this hatchery and if anyone has had dealings with them I would love their input.
http://www.heritageturkeyhatchery.com/

 

[EdenCamp]

Think Tom hatched hairballs to get those silky turkeys....


http://www.albc-usa.org/EducationalResources/master_breeder_turkeys.html
has some great breeding info - what to cull for for standards that sort of thing

You want pictures? Tons of info on an AMAZING variety of breeds, hatching, genetics?
This is an awesome site!
http://www.porterturkeys.com/

 

[Celie]

Here are my Red Bourbons over 8 months now getting close for the first taste of what I hope a dang good Turkey meal.
My Toms are around 20 pounds Hens 10 to 15 pounds.
I pick the Toms up at night to put them in the coop and every so often I hear something coming from the Toms that sounds almost like a growl or is it that I am squeezing the air out of them and the air is making that sound its strange.
Has any one else had this happen.

Those are BEAUTIFUL Bourbon Reds !

My male dog, Bear, who is my avatar, does that when he gives you a hug, but on purpose! It's one of his tricks and his way of giving you a hug. He's quite a ham and thinks he's my son. His bed is between my bed and the window and he sleeps with a pillow like we do.

Maybe your Toms are hugging you good-night?