Turkeys For 2013

[Arielle]

Quote:
That will make for wonderful memories!! Most people don't get to experience animals and farms anymore . . . .

 

[AUNT KAT]

Hi, how nice of them to give you all those turkeys! Kind of crazy bet hey, you get some free turkey lol. I' new to turkeys as well. Mine were also given to me by our neighbor. He planned on giving us one for thanksgiving and one for Christmas. He said it made no difference to him if we wanted them alive lol, so they live! And are trying to mate, their story is about a page back. Anyway enjoy you turkeys!
Yes, mine too. I have only 2 standard bronze. The turkey hen actually broke the beak of one of my chickens, so they now have their own pen. I just don't want my chickens to get hurt.

It was nice, and he just didn't want to clean up after them anymore. They really are sweethearts!

Do they get in the road? Several months ago mine went out on our county road, people were stopping taking pic's with their cell phones, like they've never seen a turkey before. We live way out in the country!

That was the problem. They were always in the road, almost causing accidents, and so on. They have also been in peoples yards, etc. and not welcomed. They were definitely not safe! And people go down this road 90 miles an hour all the time.

Welcome to the world of turkeys!!!


YOu can investigate using poultry netting to contain them somewhat and keep out the predators mostly.

Boys raised to gether manage to stay peaceful most of the time. During breeding season can be an issue.

My boys fight when one gets stuck on the wrong side of the fence for a few hours, or one donsn;t make it over the fence to cruise with the boys for the day. WHen they all meet up again, pecking order is re-established.

HOnestly, keep a few and sell the others or considered the freezer for the extras. The meat is far different than what the grocery store sells.

Welcome to the thread!

Lucky for me, I have a chicken coop in the barn made of a stall. It has tons of roosting built in and we are working on a wonderful run for them outside of the coop today. So, they will be safe, warm, but can still go outside. Haven't had my chickens in there in years, so I spiffied it up and got them in. The window also closes for when it gets seriously cold . If there wasn't a development behind me, I would let them out in the pasture.

 

[frank53061]

I have my BR Turkeys trained as well as my Chickens for the most part I just have to open the screen door on the back of the house and they come a running that noise is associated with food.
Table scraps extra home made biscuits any thing the Dogs don't get the Fowl do.
Here lately I have one BR hen that wants to nest so bad bless her heart she wants to hatch some Poults but for the life of her she just cant I don't know what the problem is I know the eggs are not kept under her there just kinda scattered about her and she should go out side the coop to take a dump but does it on the eggs and makes a bloody mess of them so we take them away.
Any way I caught her twice sneaking off to neighbors property and wanting to nest in the tall grass or under an ornamental bush

she is the only one that does that the others are laying eggs and are laying them in the same nest as she wants to set on I really don't want young Poults this time of the year any way I need to get rid of 3 tomes and 2 hens to make room.
In the Spring when they start laying again I will put them in the Incubator as I did this last Spring.

 

[Reyvaughn]

Since the feed was mentioned, I have a question. I was feeding my birds 16% pullet grower. I was told to up the protein. The highest I could find was 24% turkey/gamebird starter. Everything else was 20% and under. I am supplementing with 32.5% Chick Ultra Kibble as a top dressing. Is this alright, or should I try finding something else? I have 1 Red, 1 Slate and 5 BBBs that are all about 3 months.

I"m finding feeding is not as straight forward as we often beleive. I watch my birds run thru th woods and into the grassy areas then into the garden . . . . . and the pellets are waiting. OVerall they are growing well but because of the low protein of the grasses they protein level is below 22% overall. What really matters is : the daily protein meet the needs of the birds, as in total protein for the day where ever it comes from.

Corn is great for energy and the birds love it However, neither birds nor pigs can thrive on it. Vegies and fruits and grazing is wonderful feed. Corn all by it self is not a good plan. Fortunately the adult sized or nearly adult size don't need as high a protein% as the growing poults.

I feed 22% turkey feed. My birds are heritage, not BBB. Even when I raised the BBW, I used the 22% and got 34# dressed males. I think 36% would be too fast a growth rate for what I can manage.

These birds are 3 months or so old. I was feeding 16% because I didn't want the BBBs to get to big to soon - well, it didn't stop the 2 with their leg deformities anyways. I want to get them up to weight and soon because they don't weight anymore than 8-10lbs now. I'd like them to dress at least 12lbs so they are at least worth processing and cooking (big family of 5 here and at holidays we feed 18+). The 32.5% is just a top dressing of Ultra Kibble (less than a handful) - their feed now is 24%. I just started them on the this new system on Monday.



ETA: I also added a trio of Black Spanish from the flock Aunt Kat posted pics of. OMG are they friendly!

 

[AUNT KAT]

These birds are 3 months or so old. I was feeding 16% because I didn't want the BBBs to get to big to soon - well, it didn't stop the 2 with their leg deformities anyways. I want to get them up to weight and soon because they don't weight anymore than 8-10lbs now. I'd like them to dress at least 12lbs so they are at least worth processing and cooking (big family of 5 here and at holidays we feed 18+). The 32.5% is just a top dressing of Ultra Kibble (less than a handful) - their feed now is 24%. I just started them on the this new system on Monday.



ETA: I also added a trio of Black Spanish from the flock Aunt Kat posted pics of. OMG are they friendly!

I was so happy to meet you Reyvaughn!!! Hope the babies are well! Not gonna lie, I shed a little tear after we said goodybye.

 

[Reyvaughn]

I was so happy to meet you Reyvaughn!!! Hope the babies are well! Not gonna lie, I shed a little tear after we said goodybye.

Aw! They were happy to get out of the car and happy to get some yummies! They are in quarantine, so they aren't out of the cage yet. I plan on letting them have free run in my 12x24 shed today for a bit of exersice. I'll just have to clean up poopies! I'll get pics while they are out!

 

[AUNT KAT]

Aw! They were happy to get out of the car and happy to get some yummies! They are in quarantine, so they aren't out of the cage yet. I plan on letting them have free run in my 12x24 shed today for a bit of exersice. I'll just have to clean up poopies! I'll get pics while they are out!

Mine will have an outdoor run by tonight added onto the coop they are in. That will make them happy!!! Then onto more barn work!!!

 

[chickadoodles]

Hello friends! From PA over here!!! Recently inherited a flock of Black Spanish that invaded my little farm and after finding out who the owner was, they said they didn't want them and I could have them. Thus begins my crash course on raising turkeys. They are very tame and lovable. this is a very bad area for roaming, so they have a pen and will have a run by the time today is over.
After finding good homes for some, and keeping 2 girls and a Tom for myself, I still have 4 toms and am trying to find out if I can keep them peacefully somehow.
Anybody have more than 1 tom, and do they hurt each other?
Here is a couple glimpses of how this all came about.

You are pretty awesome to have taken in all those turkey and given them or found them homes! WOW Most people would not want to be bothered let alone building a pen and run to house them the next day!
Turkey are pretty interesting and very people oriented. Enjoy your new turkey!

and keep us updated please...

 

[Arielle]

IT is starting already-- people don't like my turkey pricing. THe cost of keeping turkeys is expensive. I'm happy to put them in MY freezer. I've been looking in my freezers to decide what can be tossed at this point-- to feed the chickens! -- and make room. Canning is sure helping to save freezer space. I love roasted turkey-- a good week as the temps are dropping.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Hi everyone. I'm hoping you can help me. I have two 8 month old Standard bronze, 1 tom 1 hen. I saw them attempt to mate today. The tom was very uncoordinated and unsuccessful. The hen got up and started chasing the tom, grabbed hold of his snood and was pecking his head. When he got away, she followed him step for step. Pecking him, making noises, she would not leave him alone. This went on for 10-15 minutes. He'd pass an apple on the ground, pick it up, shed take the apple, eat it, then following him once again. Until he'd pass another apple. Then when all was said and done, she went after him, held his head to the ground and wouldn't let him up. I kept an eye on them, but had to go inside. It didn't get bloody, but man she was upset! 30 minutes later, they are best buddies again. Is this normal. This is my first pair of turkeys. And they are in a new pen, just this week. They had been in with my hens, but the turkey hen hurt one of my chickens, so out they went. Any ideas?

Thanks!

Deb

good ro see you here! racinchikins visits this thread too

She sounds like she is a dominate hen for sure.
They usually don't mate/breed till spring here, she will make a good layer and broody.
If she continues to be mean and aggressive. a time out may help. Major raging hormones happening there.
If she continues to be mean and harms her poults, I would reconsider keeping her.
Is she laying? The tom is probably just not ready to be mature yet.

Quote: Both are eating and drinking now, boiled chopped quail eggs, fresh fish I caught myself, live mealies and all flock free choice. Lila is Much better.
Buddy is still not well as I had hoped, but is eating now! If any of my birds don't eat I am terrified. Thats a danger sign and it makes me sick with worry.