Turkey Talk for 2014

[WalnutHill]

I make sure that my heritage birds are hatched out by May 1 at the latest for Thanksgiving harvest. I get my broad breasted by July 1.

 

[ladybead]

I think we are going to go with the Broad Breasted Bronze Turkeys, but I thought I read something saying they don't reproduce naturally. I would like to get a breed that does reproduce naturally and grows quickly to a good size say 25 lbx any suggestions on what breed I should get. Rose

 

[SilkieSensation]

I think we are going to go with the Broad Breasted Bronze Turkeys, but I thought I read something saying they don't reproduce naturally. I would like to get a breed that does reproduce naturally and grows quickly to a good size say 25 lbx any suggestions on what breed I should get. Rose

If you get broad breasted hens & cross them with heritage toms you should be able to get a quicker growing bird that doesn't have the leg problems associated with the super fast growth of broad breasted. You will have to restrict feed for the hens to prevent them from getting too heavy to lay but otherwise should be ok. I have 20 bbw poults coming this week & the plan is to keep a couple hens to try this for myself. I already have heritage birds to cross with.

 

[ladybead]

Thanks, I am planning on getting my turkeys and ducks in about 2 weeks or whenever they are ready. I am lucky I can go to a reliable breeder who is nearby. I will be seeing him this weekend to get my chicks so I will ask about getting a few of the Broad Breasted and some Heritage Toms. I really appreciate your advice. Rose

 

[gevshiba]

If you get broad breasted hens & cross them with heritage toms you should be able to get a quicker growing bird that doesn't have the leg problems associated with the super fast growth of broad breasted. You will have to restrict feed for the hens to prevent them from getting too heavy to lay but otherwise should be ok. I have 20 bbw poults coming this week & the plan is to keep a couple hens to try this for myself. I already have heritage birds to cross with.

My BBB hens laid plenty of fertile eggs, but only one ever hatched and it was under a broody hen. I had 4 hens. The tom produced plenty of poults with the BR hen, so it wasn't him. Hope you have better luck.

 

[ladybead]

Can you put a fertile turkey egg with your chickens for them to sit on? Rose

 

[SilkieSensation]

If you get broad breasted hens

My BBB hens laid plenty of fertile eggs, but only one ever hatched and it was under a broody hen.  I had 4 hens.  The tom produced plenty of poults with the BR hen, so it wasn't him.  Hope you have better luck.

I'll be using bbw with slate. Eggs will go in the bator, but that's next year's project. Worst that happens is I end up butchering the hens later if they don't produce. Either way, no loss. Still fills my freezer.

 

[ladybead]

That is true and reminds me we are going to need a freezer

 

[SilkieSensation]

That is true and reminds me we are going to need a freezer

I need ANOTHER freezer...lol

 

[chickadoodles]

ladybead if a hen goes broody you can put what ever kind of eggs you want under her. One of my hens hatched some turkey poults for me and I have heard that some even have hens hatch ducks and everything else. lol My hen was a wonderful momma to those poults!