Turkey Talk for 2014

[Lybe8438]

It's been really nice here lately finally feels like spring! Hopefully the weather stays. The birds have been having a ball playing in the sun.

 

[Sydney Acres]

Oh that Ellie. She is so darn cute. Beautiful colors reflecting in the sun.

We also had a nice day here near Seattle, once all the fog burned off. Took the flock out of their yard and walked out to the garden/orchard. They spend several hours scratching under fruit trees and digging up garden beds, eating grubs and any leftover fruit/veggies from the fall harvest. Stanford found a shriveled up apple, picked it up and started running, with the whole flock in pursuit. Eventually it fell apart and she was able to eat the piece in her mouth and several other birds got pieces of the remainder. A rooster found a giant slug, carried it around so proud, then Camilla stole it from him, got the taste in her mouth and dropped it like it was the grossest thing in the world. I decided this would be a good time to harvest the last of the brussell sprouts -- big mistake. Apparently turkeys really like brussell sprouts. Especially the little ones that aren't as tightly wrapped as they should be. Before I knew it I was surrounded by the whole flock and they were shredding leaves like they were starving. At least they enjoyed themselves.

 

[SilkieSensation]

Oh that Ellie.  She is so darn cute.  Beautiful colors reflecting in the sun.

We also had a nice day here near Seattle, once all the fog burned off.  Took the flock out of their yard and walked out to the garden/orchard.  They spend several hours scratching under fruit trees and digging up garden beds, eating grubs and any leftover fruit/veggies from the fall harvest.  Stanford found a shriveled up apple, picked it up and started running, with the whole flock in pursuit.  Eventually it fell apart and she was able to eat the piece in her mouth and several other birds got pieces of the remainder.  A rooster found a giant slug, carried it around so proud, then Camilla stole it from him, got the taste in her mouth and dropped it like it was the grossest thing in the world.  I decided this would be a good time to harvest the last of the brussell sprouts -- big mistake.  Apparently turkeys really like brussell sprouts.  Especially the little ones that aren't as tightly wrapped as they should be.  Before I knew it I was surrounded by the whole flock and they were shredding leaves like they were starving.  At least they enjoyed themselves.

I woke up to 6 inches of snow this morning & more falling. We have about 7-8 inches now & school has already been cancelled for the next 2 days because more is on the way.

 

[Lybe8438]

Oh that Ellie. She is so darn cute. Beautiful colors reflecting in the sun.

We also had a nice day here near Seattle, once all the fog burned off. Took the flock out of their yard and walked out to the garden/orchard. They spend several hours scratching under fruit trees and digging up garden beds, eating grubs and any leftover fruit/veggies from the fall harvest. Stanford found a shriveled up apple, picked it up and started running, with the whole flock in pursuit. Eventually it fell apart and she was able to eat the piece in her mouth and several other birds got pieces of the remainder. A rooster found a giant slug, carried it around so proud, then Camilla stole it from him, got the taste in her mouth and dropped it like it was the grossest thing in the world. I decided this would be a good time to harvest the last of the brussell sprouts -- big mistake. Apparently turkeys really like brussell sprouts. Especially the little ones that aren't as tightly wrapped as they should be. Before I knew it I was surrounded by the whole flock and they were shredding leaves like they were starving. At least they enjoyed themselves.

I live near Seattle too! It's been so nice these past few days!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I need advice, since I am only a year into keeping turkeys...
My oldest BR poult I thought a hen, ("Snoodles" DH named her

) I noticed today the snood is moving, and will get a tiny bit bigger.
Nothing like I have seen in other jakes tho. Hens snoods do not move, right? Snoodles hatched 6/24/13.

tell me I have a jake, I really needed a second! This answers a lot of turkey math issues for me!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

It's been really nice here lately finally feels like spring! Hopefully the weather stays. The birds have been having a ball playing in the sun.

Beautiful!!!!

 

[B J Hopkins]

My oldest Bourbon Red hen SAT for me today. First time this season. Breeding time will soon be here in lower central Missouri

 

[Sydney Acres]

I need advice, since I am only a year into keeping turkeys...
My oldest BR poult I thought a hen, ("Snoodles" DH named her

) I noticed today the snood is moving, and will get a tiny bit bigger.
Nothing like I have seen in other jakes tho. Hens snoods do not move, right? Snoodles hatched 6/24/13.

tell me I have a jake, I really needed a second! This answers a lot of turkey math issues for me!

Do you have pictures of Snoodles?

I'm also new to turkeys this year, but I have noticed that the females do occasionally show behaviors that we usually see in males, but to a lesser degree. There have been a few times that I have noticed a minimal enlargement in a hen's snood, and possibly movement. It's not been obvious, and of course stops as soon as you stare, but I suspect the capacity is there.

But maybe Snoodles is just a late bloomer boy. Have you seen any other "male" behaviors or traits? Please post several pictures.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: will try to get pics tomorrow, temps just went down fast! Its a very sweet bird. Gentle, friendly and social.
Either way snoodles is staying, but would be awesome if its a young tom.

 

[chickadoodles]

It's been really nice here lately finally feels like spring! Hopefully the weather stays. The birds have been having a ball playing in the sun.

I do love the color in Ellie's feathers is so beautiful! I love the way she is strutting and showing off for you. I can hardly wait till I get my babies.