Turkey Talk for 2014

[SilkieSensation]

Thank you we got them in Feb/March so maybe she will lay in fall? Who knows lol do you eat any Turkey eggs?

You can eat turkey eggs if you want, but I'd rather hatch them and eat the turkeys themself..
I'm sure it's possible for a hen to start laying in fall the same year they hatch but I have never had any start that soon.. it's always the next spring.. for me at least..

A very early hatch could start laying the first fall in an area with warmer weather & a longer breeding season. Not likely up here in Ohio, but California, Texas, Florida? Possible.

 

[ksandvig]

I am in Washington state & it's been warmer than usual so mayb
I want to try the Turkey eggs for baking & then I will also be hatching some to sell in spring or raise for someone to butcher. These two we have now are total pets, won't be dinners they are wayyyy to spoiled LOL

 

[hookem horns]

A very early hatch could start laying the first fall in an area with warmer weather & a longer breeding season. Not likely up here in Ohio, but California, Texas, Florida? Possible.

I'm sure it's possible, anything is possible.. I live in Florida and have eggs start hatching early February and have not had any of my girls start laying until the next spring.. but I'm sure it is possible. I'm no expert, I just know that I've never had it happen to me..

 

[SilkieSensation]

Turkey eggs have a slightly different texture than chicken eggs & are a bit richer. Comparing fried eggs from chicken to turkey & duck...duck is more rubbery, turkey is more dry. They work well for baking. Just remember that 1 turkey egg typically equaly about 2 medium chicken eggs.

 

[gevshiba]

A very early hatch could start laying the first fall in an area with warmer weather & a longer breeding season. Not likely up here in Ohio, but California, Texas, Florida? Possible.

My last batch of BBB's hatched in March and started laying in September and October. None of the BR's have started that early. Only two of my BBB's made it to maturity this year and it's turned out to be a pair. They hatched in mid Feb. and no eggs from the hen. The tom is breeding one of my BR hens

. As soon as cooler weather and time allow, they'll go in the freezer.

 

[hookem horns]

My last batch of BBB's hatched in March and started laying in September and October.  None of the BR's have started that early.  Only two of my BBB's made it to maturity this year and it's turned out to be a pair.  They hatched in mid Feb. and no eggs from the hen.  The tom is breeding one of my BR hens .  As soon as cooler weather and time allow, they'll go in the freezer.

Like I said I'm sure it's possible, it just hasn't happened to me..

 

[desertmarcy]

My last batch of BBB's hatched in March and started laying in September and October. None of the BR's have started that early. Only two of my BBB's made it to maturity this year and it's turned out to be a pair. They hatched in mid Feb. and no eggs from the hen. The tom is breeding one of my BR hens

. As soon as cooler weather and time allow, they'll go in the freezer.

I've always hatched in spring and they starting laying the following spring. Sometimes as early as February, but usually March. I think the shorter day length just naturally puts them off until the following year. I've surprised your BBB layed in the fall. They do mature faster, I guess, and maybe they are not as affected by the day length. Didn't that BBB tom totally squash your BR hen?

 

[gevshiba]

I've always hatched in spring and they starting laying the following spring. Sometimes as early as February, but usually March. I think the shorter day length just naturally puts them off until the following year. I've surprised your BBB layed in the fall. They do mature faster, I guess, and maybe they are not as affected by the day length. Didn't that BBB tom totally squash your BR hen?

I didn't expect them to ever lay, let alone that young. But then I couldn't butcher them. I hate butchering hens. This years BBB's are totally different from that last batch (2 years ago?, I can't remember). They look different, grew different and act different. This time it's the tom with the personality. The hen has none. But he has to go. Yes, he smashes the BR hen down. He needs to go soon, before she gets hurt.

 

[wcfujita]

This is my first time raising turkeys. I have raised chickens for 5 years and goats for 3. When do turkeys start to gain their fat layer? I am raising broad breasted. I wanted a turkey for Thanksgiving but don't want it 50lbs and my Tom is already looking pretty big. What week do you usually butcher?

 

[hookem horns]

This is my first time raising turkeys. I have raised chickens for 5 years and goats for 3. When do turkeys start to gain their fat layer? I am raising broad breasted. I wanted a turkey for Thanksgiving but don't want it 50lbs and my Tom is already looking pretty big. What week do you usually butcher?

If your wanting a smaller turkey, you should check out midget white turkeys..
As for butcher age I can't help I have midget whites and they take about 26 weeks to get to butcher size (heritage breed)