Turkey Talk for 2014

[WeatheredWings]

Well with chickens some breeds I can tell by the comb and some by the tail. Some cockerels get a larger comb than the pullets and the pullets get a tail faster than the cockerel. But that is not for all of them. lol
Then turkey if you can't tell with the narri's at hatch then you wind up having to wait till they are nearly or about 4 months old from their snood and display or wait for a gobble. lol 
But if they are not all progressing the same that usually means that some are not getting enough feed or enough protein in their feed.

From what I have read. 

The turkeys are roughly the same size and all very active but as far as the acting like a boy part, one is very dominant and seems to always be strutting, red and snood hanging. The 2nd in line does too but not nearly as often or as meaningful.
Our chickens that are giving me issues, maybe because I was wishful thinking, are Blue Laced Red Wyandottes. Some are very obvious in their combs(rose), however I had a handful that I thought were hens, combs were narrower like a hen and not as bright as the absolute cockerals, but all of a sudden, rooster feathers!It is unfortunately looking like I have 19 or 20 cockerals and only 3-4 hens!!! So disappointing, especially since so many are really nice!

 

[chickadoodles]

Quote: Aww that is sad but maybe you can find homes for some. I know we sell roosters to some people that want to put them in freezer camp by the time they are about 4 months old and some older.
I don't have any of the BLRW I do love how beautiful they are!

 

[Arielle]

Quote: Honestly they a re in the phone book; and you can also use 411 information to help you. Worth knowing.

WHen I contacted UCONN, they advised against mixing the two. I figured they erred on the very conservative side.

Osage- 17 week old Narra/ Bronze

Lovely boy!! I have one a bit younger.Not yet at handsome as your boy.

 

[3b blu]

Yeah! He is displaying more than for just a second so exciting! I just switched to a 22 percent super layer wonder if this has anything to do with it?

 

[TurnipTruck]

In my first full year of owning turkeys, I noticed a new behavior this morning. My Tom was "dancing" on the back of my hen. He wasn't doing anything that looked like breeding her, simply dancing or marching in place, so to speak on her back. She seemed happy as could be to let him dance away.

Is this a normal behavior? Why would they do this?

 

[CherMoz]

In my first full year of owning turkeys, I noticed a new behavior this morning. My Tom was "dancing" on the back of my hen. He wasn't doing anything that looked like breeding her, simply dancing or marching in place, so to speak on her back. She seemed happy as could be to let him dance away.

Is this a normal behavior? Why would they do this?

Sounds like they are mating... Watch this time lapsed video:

Turkeys take a lot longer than chickens.

 

[desertmarcy]

In my first full year of owning turkeys, I noticed a new behavior this morning. My Tom was "dancing" on the back of my hen. He wasn't doing anything that looked like breeding her, simply dancing or marching in place, so to speak on her back. She seemed happy as could be to let him dance away.

Is this a normal behavior? Why would they do this?

Yes that is normal, it is a preliminary to copulation. After he treads her for a while, she will lift her tail and he will mate with her.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: Turkeys do take forever to get the job done!!! lol But it gets done.

 

[3b blu]

Yeah! He is displaying more than for just a second so exciting! I just switched to a 22 percent super layer wonder if this has anything to do with it?

Anyone have any different opinion on color since he's displaying He's blue and red? lol

 

[TurnipTruck]

Good to know...
It is highly unlikely that she'd lay eggs this time of year though. Correct?
Perhaps they are just practicing up for spring.