Turkey vs. CHickens

[Arielle]

Never been to AK, not sure I'm willing to pack the bags or take the flight. Love to see pics though.

We had a few wild turkeys around this year, more than the last 6 years for sure.

THis thread has kept me thinking turkv chicken--boy as much as I like turkeys, chickens suit me better I think.

 

[frank53061]

DEBIR1966

I,m with you if I could I would move to Alaska I would move as Far out in the woods as passable.
If I was able I would just go to town for supplies one time a month.
Even tho I,m getting older and my bones hert with the weather change I think I would be healthier in the long run.
I don't have a cell phone and don't want one I would miss the Internet but I would get over that.


Heck I remember the old out house and getting Electricty and the first Black and white T.V. and turning the antenna to get one of the three channels there was.
Now look whats out there and the money needed to pay for it all.

 

[Arielle]

Heck I remember the old out house and getting Electricty and the first Black and white T.V. and turning the antenna to get one of the three channels there was.
Now look whats out there and the money needed to pay for it all.

Aint that the truth!!!

Anyone figured out the cost per pound of meat for a turkey v. a chicken? Breed information required!

 

[Arielle]

I read recently why chicens v. turkeys at FOwlman's place-- great reason to have not turkeys: they die. He has ducks and chickens but the turkeys do not survive for long. This probably speaks to the land and the probably parasites native to the land.

The land and soil maybe decide for you.

 

[chickenzoo]

My turkey toms free range over.with the horses etc..on five.acres. They get fed when the horses do and also pick up anything they drop...other than that..they find it..I have seen th scratch for stuff left in the horse manure..but they travel around picking at stuff. They are so heavy I can barely pick them up...but mine are pets. The hens range with my chickens... Turkeys help protect the chickens as they alert if they see something and break up chicken fights. My one hen will attack any roo that flares at me and then run back to me for a pat...lol. Turkey can be more susceptible to parasites

 

[Frosty]

I have been known to turn Broad Breasted turkeys loose over the summer, I only fed them once a week to remind them that they live here. The rest they foraged on their own until a few weeks before I did the deed. They did real damage to the grasshopper and tick population here, and ate all of the fallen apples so there were less yellow jackets hanging around. Unfortunately, the fox population has gone up, I need to put up some good fencing so I can let them all loose again.

Just make sure if you free range them that they don't have access to things like grapes if you are growing any for yourself. They can clean off a grape vine really fast.

 

[Arielle]

I have been known to turn Broad Breasted turkeys loose over the summer, I only fed them once a week to remind them that they live here. The rest they foraged on their own until a few weeks before I did the deed. They did real damage to the grasshopper and tick population here, and ate all of the fallen apples so there were less yellow jackets hanging around. Unfortunately, the fox population has gone up, I need to put up some good fencing so I can let them all loose again.

Just make sure if you free range them that they don't have access to things like grapes if you are growing any for yourself. They can clean off a grape vine really fast.

Frosty---what are your birds grazing and feeding on before the apples arrive?