Turkey Talk for 2014

[NewToFarming]

I never take their eggs when they're watching. Turkeys are very emotional, and I don't want them to think that the nest is insecure and go lay their eggs somewhere else. It can be hard to find the free range turkey nests. I have one hen who dug a hole behind a pile of branches, and covers her nest with leaves every time she finishes using the nest. I leave 1-2 ceramic eggs in each nest so that they keep using the nest, but not so many that they think that there's enough to brood.

You can let them brood their own clutch any time you want, and they go broody. Different individual hens will finish laying at different times, so if you wait too long they may stop laying without going broody on your schedule. Certainly you'll maximize your hatch by collecting and incubating every egg until the very end of the season, then let them brood the last eggs, but sometimes your schedule and their broody schedule don't agree. so you may miss the opportunity for them to brood if you wait until the last minute. When they will stop laying depends on the individual birds, and where you live, which determines how long your photoperiod is. If they're over 2 years old and you just got them, you might contact the previous owner to ask when they started and stopped laying each year, and how often they went broody.

When you decide you want them to go broody, you can either stop collecting the eggs, or you can continue collecting and storing, but add 1-2 ceramic or throw-away eggs to the nests every day. That may encourage the hens to start brooding, since they tend to brood only after there's enough eggs in the nest. Once they've held their brood for a few days, you can put all the collected eggs under them at the same time, so they will all hatch within a short time, and you don't lose poults because of a staggered hatch.

Thank you for this info! I have a girl thinking about brooding (I believe).

 

[AmericanMom]

Today marks day 14 and the halfway point for the first batch of Bourbon Reds in the incubator.. I removed two on day ten, obvious blood ring, got a few more that are questionable / clears.. I think it may leave me with 10 or 11 that are viable in that incubator... Got 22 in a second incubator on day 4.... Turning 3x a day and temperature holding super steady in that incubator ( it has a fan) I haven't added any water nor ran the humidifier and I am curious to candle on day 10 and hope I can get a clear look at the air cell ... So far in incubator 1 this is what's going strong..

15 Turkey eggs with 4 possible clears
5 goose eggs (little buggers are moving around in there pretty good! )
2 of my SIL splash Orpington/ speckled Sussex's eggs ( removed one this morning ..blood ring)

2nd incubator 22 Turkey eggs
will add some chicken eggs tomorrow.. Cant fit a lot, maybe 2 or 3 or 10

Hubby noticed yesterday evening as we were working on coop expansion that our Blue Orpington is covering the Australorps

 

[Arielle]

I am hopelessly behind--

BUt I wanted to put this out there

For anyone interested I am offering eggs from my mixed pens for $40 for 12 eggs including priority shipping. From my pen of 1/2 bred hens with Auburn, narriganset and Bourbone red males; An AUburn with a 1/2 auburn , and sweetgrass that had a BR until recently and now 3 sweetgrass boys.

HOpefully this will encourage some folks to try hatching shipped turkey eggs. Like chickens, there is a learning curve. So until you jump into your favorite breed, I' ll have these available for a few months.

Send me a pm please as this thread is a runaway train.lol

$40 for 12 MIXED turkey eggs w/ priority shipping

 

[hogster160]

I am hopelessly behind--

BUt I wanted to put this out there

For anyone interested I am offering eggs from my mixed pens for $40 for 12 eggs including priority shipping. From my pen of 1/2 bred hens with Auburn, narriganset and Bourbone red males; An AUburn with a 1/2 auburn , and sweetgrass that had a BR until recently and now 3 sweetgrass boys.

HOpefully this will encourage some folks to try hatching shipped turkey eggs. Like chickens, there is a learning curve. So until you jump into your favorite breed, I' ll have these available for a few months.

Send me a pm please as this thread is a runaway train.lol

I will keep this in mind. Wishing I had a broody hen!!!

 

[wild flocks]

I am hopelessly behind--

BUt I wanted to put this out there

For anyone interested I am offering eggs from my mixed pens for $40 for 12 eggs including priority shipping. From my pen of 1/2 bred hens with Auburn, narriganset and Bourbone red males; An AUburn with a 1/2 auburn , and sweetgrass that had a BR until recently and now 3 sweetgrass boys.

HOpefully this will encourage some folks to try hatching shipped turkey eggs. Like chickens, there is a learning curve. So until you jump into your favorite breed, I' ll have these available for a few months.

Send me a pm please as this thread is a runaway train.lol

make my order a dozen sweetgrass eggs arielle i want at least 8 pouts

 

[Arielle]

Quote: Sorry this offer does not apply to my purebred pens. This offer is for MIXED EGGS ONLY. Sorry for the confusion everyone.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: I made a coolerbator when I realized just an LG would not be enough, lol. My first effort at wiring was the fan for the LG: a computer fan and an old adaptor; Ant the coolerbator needed a bottle lamp set up, so I just folloed the instructions. I was shacking, worried I would do it incorrectly but it turned out fine. THis is my 3rd season using it. It is full of turkey eggs and muscovy duck eggs.

 

[gevshiba]

I have commented in the past about being new to the idea of raising meat. When I think of the BBW, I am not having a problem. It is the Bourbons! For the past few days I have been unable to say that I am going to eat a baby, a poult, or "whatever hatches". The moment I get to that part of what I am saying, I have to stop, and try to not cry. This really is what I want. I want to <deep breath> I really think it is going to be great to process 3-5 Bourbon youngsters next fall to fry up with some friends.
Will I get over this sudden emotion of feeling like a horrible, sick person for wanting to do that?

I've had a hard time with the killing too. I was almost ok with the BBB toms, but the hens... I know they'll have to go, but they are so sweet. They follow me and like their heads and necks scratched. I didn't raise them like a meat bird, even though that was their purpose. I guess if they had leg problems and looked to be uncomfortable, it wouldn't be so hard. I haven't found a way to kill them yet that I'm comfortable with. Nothing seems fast enough. I want instant dead. I think I'll need to find someone else to kill the hens. My friend wants one to keep, so it'll just be 3. You aren't alone!

 

[gevshiba]

Wow, have an identical scene in my turkey coop. Dare NOT put your hand near her, you may be missing a digit or two

I don't think there is a single egg under her either, except the fakes. Tried to look with a welding glove on, she is flat psyco!
We are moving them to the permanent coop this weekend, should be able to break her broodiness then, hopefully.

I didn't want to break her, I wanted her in a different nest box, one the BBB's hopefully couldn't fit in. She's still sitting, but got up this morning for something to eat. All her eggs look fine, including #9. I don't know where that one came from.

 

[yinepu]

Quote:
lol.. y'all crack me up.. I just reach in and grab what I want.. be it the bird or her eggs.. yeah i've been pecked at a few times.. but they back off when they realize you have picked their fluffy behind up.. never had to use welding gloves though!.. too funny! course I don't back down from roos with attitudes either! ... (or the neighbor's angry bull)..

I never take their eggs when they're watching. Turkeys are very emotional, and I don't want them to think that the nest is insecure and go lay their eggs somewhere else. It can be hard to find the free range turkey nests. I have one hen who dug a hole behind a pile of branches, and covers her nest with leaves every time she finishes using the nest. I leave 1-2 ceramic eggs in each nest so that they keep using the nest, but not so many that they think that there's enough to brood.

Mine must be used to it.. I reach down.. pick up the hen.. take the eggs and plop her back on the nest.. never had one move her nest because of it