Turkey Talk for 2014

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gevshiba said:
I can add my BBB experience to the conversation, but this is only my 3rd year with turkeys, 2nd with BBB's. I got 15 poults from Ideal last year. I lost one hen to coyotes and traded one tom to a friend. All the others have done very well. None have had leg problems so far. The hens run around, clumsily, but they do run. The tom just struts and has no personality at all. I put 7 toms in the freezer. My hens started laying at about 7-8 months. I started getting fertile eggs 2-3 months later. I tried hatching 2 different times, but although the eggs are fertile, they don't seem to be viable. There was no development in any of the 35 turkey eggs. But I did hatch 2 chicks that I had added with the first clutch, so I'm pretty sure it's not the incubator



. The second clutch I candled and tossed. I'm going to try a heritage tom over my BBB hens, but I've also decided, after reading what others on here do, that I'm going to switch to heritage birds and clip wings if need be. As long as they stay away from the house and cars, the neighbors shouldn't complain.
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Thank you for posting this. I have not had BB turkeys, but have had Cornish X chickens, and did not find them to be quite as disabled as many people find them to be, at least while they were young. But I noticed that you raised your birds on pasture, as did I, so maybe that makes a huge difference. They get more exercise, and don't sit in front of concentrated food all day long. It also probably makes a difference where you obtain them, since some sources will have healthier birds than others.

But in the end, I have decided that heritage birds are the direction I want to go. While the commercial birds are quicker to raise, I do not enjoy them in the same way. There is no mystery as to which ones will be breeding quality, which ones will I get so attached to that they will become pets regardless of quality, how can I adjust their management to improve lifespan, nothing of that. They're all culled, either at the usual slaughter time or when they become too uncomfortable. It's very efficient, just not for me anymore. But it was wonderful to see a picture of your flock enjoying the pasture.
 
Thanks guys !!!!!
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I hve 3 hens and 4 toms but its still @ -5 here in WI but i should get started on preperation.
 
aw I'm so jelly of the gorgeous pics with green grass and fat turkeys
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ready for spring! I'm at day 16 on my turkeys hatch. so neat to see the little suckers moving around in the egg. Have 7 good RP's I hope they make it to hatch.. All my BS were not viable. I'll try again.
 
I'm new to turkeys and this is my girl Buttons also called Baby Girl that's been coming inside very often during the winter. Hopefully she will start laying soon even though I have no male for her.

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Look what I found when I got home...
One broody Miss Scarlet. I was saving eggs for the incubator. I gave her 14 in all.
 
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