Turkey Talk for 2014

[Arielle]

Quote: DO you weigh the eggs or candle the air cell?? Either method will verify if the 42% is the correct %.

I finished a hatch 2-3 wks ago and it ran at 15-16%-- lower than typical for me, but I left it at that as the eggs were not increasing the aircell big enough. At lock down-- well the moisture was increased when I saw external pip.

 

[Arielle]

Hello, my name is Abi, and I am a straw virgin. I have had chickens for two years, and never thought of using straw. I am now ready to make this life changing decision. Tom and I are in love, and we want to do this in a few months, when the the timing is perfect. We thought about rolling in the hay, but that seems very expensive, and not worth the trouble.
Okay, I am done trying to be funny. It is hurting my brain. I have not built the turkey pen yet, but I don't have plans for there to be a floor. I plan on covered roosts, and nests. If this works for me, I know I will need to cover the ground at some point due to the mud that will surely happen. So, what are thoughts on straw? I know it is likely to draw mice and bugs. Mice shouldn't be a problem (I just don't want to see them get eaten!

) and I am not sure that lice and mites are a major concern, or no one would be using it.
Anyone use it? Have thoughts to share?

DEEP LITTER

Bring on the good bugs!! FLoor in one turkey house is 8" and in the fall the chickens would stop by to turn the top when the turkeys were away for the day.

Have you read the deep litter thread?? Great info-- Beekissed is a wonder on chicken health in a natural way.

 

[Arielle]

Hey ya'll i have a question. Im doing my order for birds and this year we aew deciding on 5 turkey. Our options are black spanish, bourbon red or Narragansett. I am leaning toward Narragansett but he is leaning black spanish. Any input on personal preferance between the two would be greatly appreciated

I only have 2 narri toms, but no black spanish. My suggestion is do a search on both these breeds and try to get an understanding of both. I like my toms but honestly can't compare the 2. My narri are a little bigger than my BR and AUburns. My BR are my sweetest birds, along with the AUburns. Easy to handle and carry . . .

 

[Arielle]

As for the pin feathers-- once they are roasted pin feathers are immaterial im my book. IF you are selling table birds, then customers are always right and they want white.

 

[NewToFarming]

I am fairly new to turkeys and I have a question for you guys. My Tom seems to have air on his breast area which I am assuming it is his crop. I have dealt with sour crop in chickens and this doesn't feel quite the same. The chickens were fluid filled but this feels like air filled. Any ideas???

 

[sonderah]

Got the netting up this afternoon!!!! Whoohooo!!! Now she's TRAPPED! I hope. Lol

 

[K Epp]

I have veins!!!!!

Day seven. I have growth in Ten turkey eggs. That might not mean much to some, but is extra special to me. These eegs are from my girl Scarlet a bronze who was every bit as big as my BR tom. I now believe she was a BBB. This past Sunday I went out to feed and water her. She had been spending the nights away from my two toms in a large dog kennel in what I have been referring to as Spa La'Garage. She went broody in there. When I went in I found her dead still on her clutch of 14 Turkey and 3 duck eggs. It as terribly cold out side, but the eggs were not freezing. I hurried and set my incubator up and put 12 of her eggs in. Two were really dirty. One of the duck eggs had broken. I just candled on day 8 and have veins in 10 of her eggs and the remaining duck eggs. I'm so happy. Hopefully in 3 weeks I will be over run with poults from my sweet girl. I also added chicken eggs this evening so fingers crossed.

 

[BullChick]

Quote:

Yup! I am familiar with deep litter. I spent a million hours today shoveling the deep litter out of a coop. I am wondering how I managed to clean all that out the other times? I swear it was never as bad as it was today. I do think the hard winter has a lot to do with it.

 

[BullChick]

I have veins!!!!!

Day seven. I have growth in Ten turkey eggs. That might not mean much to some, but is extra special to me. These eegs are from my girl Scarlet a bronze who was every bit as big as my BR tom. I now believe she was a BBB. This past Sunday I went out to feed and water her. She had been spending the nights away from my two toms in a large dog kennel in what I have been referring to as Spa La'Garage. She went broody in there. When I went in I found her dead still on her clutch of 14 Turkey and 3 duck eggs. It as terribly cold out side, but the eggs were not freezing. I hurried and set my incubator up and put 12 of her eggs in. Two were really dirty. One of the duck eggs had broken. I just candled on day 8 and have veins in 10 of her eggs and the remaining duck eggs. I'm so happy. Hopefully in 3 weeks I will be over run with poults from my sweet girl. I also added chicken eggs this evening so fingers crossed.

I am very happy for your eggs! I think it is a big deal even if you always have a perfect hatch. I am sorry the mom died.

 

[JWEBB]

I have veins!!!!!

Day seven. I have growth in Ten turkey eggs. That might not mean much to some, but is extra special to me. These eegs are from my girl Scarlet a bronze who was every bit as big as my BR tom. I now believe she was a BBB. This past Sunday I went out to feed and water her. She had been spending the nights away from my two toms in a large dog kennel in what I have been referring to as Spa La'Garage. She went broody in there. When I went in I found her dead still on her clutch of 14 Turkey and 3 duck eggs. It as terribly cold out side, but the eggs were not freezing. I hurried and set my incubator up and put 12 of her eggs in. Two were really dirty. One of the duck eggs had broken. I just candled on day 8 and have veins in 10 of her eggs and the remaining duck eggs. I'm so happy. Hopefully in 3 weeks I will be over run with poults from my sweet girl. I also added chicken eggs this evening so fingers crossed.

Crossin my paws! good luck with the hatching. So sorry to hear about your hen.