Turkey Talk for 2014

[chicken pickin]

deleted for double post

 

[chicken pickin]

So I'm hearing a lot of mixed input on Tom's. The Jake I bought up until I bought him was raised with chickens of various sizes. I only have one bantam well one and a half, the other chickens are standard sized. How are Tom's mines a Black Spanish. Some say aggressive, some say not at all. I've had no rooster issues, well once mine went at my arm and I hosed him off, took care of that notion really quick, so should I worry?

I ordered 16 poults from Porters and I want to hatch perhaps....

So far My turkeys are great. They love my chickens they would prefer to be in the chicken yard even when they get the chance to free range they will fly over to be with them. Toms I find to be like roosters some are good some are aggressive. But that is just my experience. So far I have only had one nasty rooster and I also have only had one nasty Tom. Both of those boys went to freezer camp. I have a tom right now that isnt mean or nasty just pesty and likes to pick fights with the others(he will be the neighbors Thanksgiving dinner). Good thing is if they get on your nerves you can eat them lol. But no really My Toms are great I have 2 main boys right now and they are like Siamese twins attached at the hip I never see them anywhere with out being side by side, they even sleep next to each other. And they are sweet as pie to me and my family. But remember their is always the possiblility to get a bad seed.

 

[SA Farm]

1. Are you prepared for Turkey season for 2014? As prepared as I can be, I hope

2. When do your hens start laying eggs? I'm hoping for eggs come spring. I also only have young stock!
3. What breeds do you plan on raising for 2014? I have Red Bronze, Buff (she never did darken much), and Beltsville Small White.
4. What is your current Tom/Hen Ratio? Just one tom to three hens.
5. How many poults do you plan on hatching? As many as I can

6. Did you order any poults from other hatcheries? If so, what hatchery, what breed and how many are you expecting? No, I may get some Orloppe Bronze to raise for the summer and send to freezer camp again, but I'm not sure yet.
7. Are you ordering turkey eggs from someone? If so, how many? Nope.
8. Will you be using an incubator to hatch your turkey eggs? Yes.
9. Do you want your hens to go broody so that they can hatch eggs? Yes
10. Will you be selling eggs and/or poults? Hopefully both

11. What are your feed plans for 2014? Anyone trying fermented feed for their flock? My guys tend to free range despite their fence, so they do that and I feed them nasty-free feed from a local mill and kitchen/garden scraps when they're available.
12. Do you have your housing ready for your poults and turkeys? Mostly. I'm thinking about adding another few feet to my turkey fencing though!
13. How many turkeys will you be processing for your freezer for 2014? Way too early to know that one. Nothing until fall anyway.
14. What did you do this year that you want to do different next year (2014)? This year I bought hatching eggs and poults, next year I'm hoping to mostly be able to raise my own. I'm rather excited about the whole prospect!

 

[yinepu]

Marking my place in the new thread!

 

[chicken pickin]

Eeek! I only have 2 turkey eggs left in my refrigerator

Im sad to think I wont have them all winter. Oh I cant wait til march. It better get here fast. I suppose Ill make due with my chickens eggs.

 

[Arielle]

I'm amazed that you are farther north and still had eggs --- I"m green with envy.

 

[chicken pickin]

I'm amazed that you are farther north and still had eggs --- I"m green with envy.

I had been saving them up and eating them slowly. The last 10 or so eggs I claimed and my family was not to eat them. I take care of the animals so I can claim my fav eggs right lol. My hens laid their very last egg about 2 weeks ago.

 

[Arielle]

Mine stopped 4-5 weeks ago.

Yes, you get to lay claim to anything you take care of!! lol

 

[Celie]

I'm amazed that you are farther north and still had eggs --- I"m green with envy.

I know you have quite a few turkeys, so you must get a lot of eggs, buy do you know that you can keep eggs in the fridge for eating for 5 to 6 Months, if you treat them? That way you never run out of fresh eggs, even if your birds stop laying? I have 4 month eggs in my frig, that are perfectly fresh.

 

[AmericanMom]

I have the chicken raising down and now want to start raising turkeys, I am looking for a dual purpose bird that will be around 20 pounds butcher weight and good egg layers to replenish my flock, I would also like to be able to sell fertile eggs or poults to help with the cost, We already have an area of our acre that is set aside for the turkeys..Now I need to pick the brains of those who can help me decide what breed works best. Any help would be greatly appriciated