Turkeys For 2013

[StelleKitten]

Thought I would post a quick picture. Pardon the mess. This is my Moe turkey. He's about for months old. Also is my turken. I stand five ten. do he is pretty big.

 

[Arielle]

Been a long time since I posted too. I posted months ago that my BR hen was not laying. She is about 4 years old I think. She layed about six eggs her first year, fewer the second year and one this year. She is molting right now so I know she is done. She was originally sold to me as a male and I think she is a bit of both. My RP male is about three years old. He has always been a sweetheart. So big and beautiful that we have people come just to look at him. For the past couple of weeks he has been getting really cranky. He attacked me yesterday for the first time. I didnt let him get by with it even with the bruised let I got. I knocked him down and got a piece of work and kept jabbing him in the chest with it while I scolded him. He ran away but this morning he acted like he was going to attack again, but I was watching and kicked his chest to get him to back up. I don't understand why this is happening so suddenly. And I don't like it one bit!

Perhaps give him a few more opportunities to learn the lesson that you are NOT ok to attack. If lesson cannot be learned perhaps pen him or . . . . . cull him. MIght be a good time to start over with fresh blood -- as I remember the hens in TX start laying in the next few months so perhaps you could consider a couple poults.

WIsh I had an answer for you to cure this new behavior from your lovely tom--

 

[Sally8]

I'm so sorry also. Chuck was about a year and a half. For no reason he just started attacking. It was mating season and Rosie was so friendly toward all of us. I found someone that wanted the pair of them, that had no small children. I just started over with 2 pair this time lol Turkeys are so interesting.

 

[newduckie]

He is learning that he can't do that, I am thinking it is because of all the new babies around. Several chickens with chicks and some tiny little guineas. It is only when I am near a baby and they cheep for their mamas. I just concluded this today when he was fine and I was walking with him and a baby ran by and freaked out and so did he. Tried to attack me again. But only to protect a baby from me.. Lol. I think he will be ok once the babies are grown. Will reassess then. Thanks

 

[Arielle]

He is learning that he can't do that, I am thinking it is because of all the new babies around. Several chickens with chicks and some tiny little guineas. It is only when I am near a baby and they cheep for their mamas. I just concluded this today when he was fine and I was walking with him and a baby ran by and freaked out and so did he. Tried to attack me again. But only to protect a baby from me.. Lol. I think he will be ok once the babies are grown. Will reassess then. Thanks

Good observation. I have one rooster that I tolerate for a half efort at flogging me. I didn't raise him, and if I am too close to his girls he lets me have it. He really doesn't get that I love his girls and they love me as I raised them by hand in my house long before he came to my farm. THe male brain is rather simple at times.

 

[newduckie]

Ain't it just...

 

[B J Hopkins]

About 5 pages back I wrote about my newest turkey chicks, hatched in my incubator. Even though I've a Blue Slate hen & a BR hen & Tom, BR seems to all that hatched. I've 10 now that are doing well in the brooder. I wrote about one poulet that has what looks like Palsey in his/her neck & head. This poulet is eating & drinking well and seems to get along well. Sometime the shaking is only minor, other times it's . . . not good. Hoping this poulet out grows the problem.

Here is what surprised me. One chick when it hatched looked to be a deep auburn in color. Now that it's a week old the color is a definate chocklate. Is it normal for this to happen from two BR's? Will try to get a good pic of the babies in a day or so.

 

[junkprospector]

Here's my 1 turkey - i finally made a harness to weigh him - 18 weeks and 23 pounds, so something like 17 lbs dressed out...

 

[Dragon Lady]

Here's my 1 turkey - i finally made a harness to weigh him - 18 weeks and 23 pounds, so something like 17 lbs dressed out...

He doesn't look too happy to be in that harness lol! He's a big lad though

 

[Dragon Lady]

Good observation. I have one rooster that I tolerate for a half efort at flogging me. I didn't raise him, and if I am too close to his girls he lets me have it. He really doesn't get that I love his girls and they love me as I raised them by hand in my house long before he came to my farm. THe male brain is rather simple at times.

Someone I know had a problem with his roo attacking him...until he chucked a full bucket of iced water at him when he was in mid-attack mode.
Apparently it did the trick and his roo is now submissive and calm!