Turkeys For 2013

[Arielle]

My mom and I used the hand cranks -- I can only remember the mushy mess as the liquids drained out!! Sometheing vegetable from the garden. Before the Kitchenaides! Tried and true-- FOley food mills.

 

[B J Hopkins]

I am wondering what is a fair price for young hen turkeys. I have a couple of people call me wanting 2 or 3 hens. Just hens! Well, one might want a tom. People wanting just hens should expect to pay more, don't you think? If I sell any of the Lavender hens I got from Porter, I already have $12 each in those since that was his poult price. I don't think I will sell any of my other Porter hens, those I will keep but I have extra Lavender. I am thinking $30 for hens. They are almost 3 months old. Feed has become so expensive and I feed only organic which costs me $29/bag plus the fish meal I add in to boost the protein. I am the one having to raise them all out, old enough to sex, then people want to pick just the hens without taking the risk themselves of raising a bunch of poults to get hens---maybe! That is just another $20 over my poult price, less than $7/month! Looking at it that way, doesn't seem that much to me, but people always want a bargain. Don't know if $30 is too high or not. Opinions?

Good question! I've been wondering the same thing myself. Only I kinda thought people would prefer a Tom as they'd most likely be bigger.

 

[chickadoodles]

My mom and I used the hand cranks -- I can only remember the mushy mess as the liquids drained out!! Sometheing vegetable from the garden. Before the Kitchenaides! Tried and true-- FOley food mills.

I was looking on ebay for some.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I gave 50 for my RP pair, And didn't hesitate a second. I had already hatched the hens eggs, and knew the tom was a busy boy. The turkeys are hard to find here, everyone seems afraid of them!?! I like them more than the chickens. Less aggressive, and just all around more friendly birds. I really feel its how you care for them, raise them also. I guess I am nuts, I hold, pet and talk to all of my birds. Spoil em rotten with mealies and watermelon. Even if they are meant for the table they are loved and spoiled, Its the least I can do to thank them for the food they give us.
If i had raised turkeys first, I may not have owned chickens at all

 

[Sally8]

Ok, I need some help. I have 3 pair of adult turkeys plus 1 little soon to be Tom (poult). 2 of the adult toms fight. They are all paired up, so not sure why all the aggression. My question, do they mate for life? If I eliminate a Tom, will the hen go join the other's harem? The 3rd set aren't really old enough to get into brawling yet and little Tom, well...you know, no hormones yet. I was going to sell 1 pair but would really like to put them in the freezer. I see locally prices are $15.00 - 30.00 ea. Turkeys can be real food hogs even though they do free range some. Thanks, sue.

 

[Sally8]

If i had raised turkeys first, I may not have owned chickens at all

Same here, I hate to post it out loud but I really like my turkeys. sue

 

[racinchickins]

Same here, I hate to post it out loud but I really like my turkeys. sue

I'm also new to turkeys. They've been very manageable and friendlier than most of my chickens also. I like them a lot.

 

[pollo disco]

We ended up raising our RGs as chicks, so they kinda stick to us. I think we will keep these around for eggs and incubate for hopes of future Turkey dinner. They are so friendly and fun. My family loves the songs they sing too. The chickens are great and all, but the turkeys are what everyone comes to see.

 

[Arielle]

At those prices, put them in your own freezer-- quality food without the antibiotcs.

We talk and play with ours too. Easier to handle for whatever the reason.

Adults are quiet and glide around; poults are like loud teenagers though until they take a nap.

 

[joshm97]

So I want to try a new type of bird. What's best mixed with turkeys?Chickens,geese or ducks.... Or peafowl? And which one is easily earned up after?