Turkeys For 2013

[desertmarcy]

Where'd you get the new pan? And how big is it?
I just got done drooling over Porters turkeys again. I discovered my Blue Slate hen is actually Self Blue. If I read correctly, I should get 100% Red Slates from my Bourbon and the Self Blue, or did I misread that?

If you are looking at Porter's Red Slates, he says his do not have any red gene. Their genotype is b+b+Dd. If you crossed Bourbon Reds with Self Blue, you will get Bb+DdRr. I do not know what that genotype would look like, but I'm sure Kevin Porter does

 

[Reyvaughn]

But reds are bronze based... ?

From Porter's:
"Their genotype is (b+b+rr) Bronze based and homozygous for recessive red."

I do not need new genetics to learn, but I'll try. The Red Slate's genotype is (b+b+Dd). Does the recessive red really play a part since the reds are still bronze based? Or will the red 'bleed' through and make... No, it can't. It takes 2 recessive genes to be visible, so my poults would be bronze based with a single recessive (non-visible) red gene. The Dd is dominate slate, and my self blue is BBDD, double dominant slate. The BB is black... And dominant. But, does bronze act like the agouti gene in horses and cats? If so, the bronze should always show if there is one gene.

Of course, Kevin goes on to say, "Color genes in turkeys are not always completely dominant or recessive."

ETA: Basically, if I cross my Red tom with my Self Blue, I could get blacks, bronze, slate or rusty black (see the various color combos page on Porters for the rusty colors). I think...

ETA Again: Yes, I believe I was right and bronze is like the agouti gene.

"Rusty Black:
This combination at hatch has the typical white face pattern of a black based poult, but at maturity the bronze base dominates over the black. This is an example showing how turkey color genes are not always completely dominate or recessive."

 

[uphilljill]

We're just a family of 2 (sometimes 6 at the holidays), so we're thinking MWs will be a good size for us. I usually order a 12-15lb bird and have plenty of leftovers. They did win a taste test a few years back, but all the heritage birds beat out the Butterball.

The downsides to them (IMO) are that they aren't an APA recognized breed (not for show) and they're all white. Their personalities more than make up for it, but it's fun to have some of those great colors mentioned above running around the barnyard. White should make for a nice table bird tho.

 

[chicken pickin]

Does anyone else have a bare floor coop or shelter or grown out pen? I have a grow out pen for the turkeys being raised for the freezer it is a 3 sided shelter with a roof and a fence around it. My problem is it is so mucky in it between their own waste and rain making it super muddy and spilled food and waterer. I do my best to let them out often(less so now that one crossed the road) and I try to lay hay on the ground(I know not ideal). But does anyone have any other tips on bare floor housing situations. I would like to fix up the housing for the remaining 7 weeks they have and also have a better plan in mind for next year.

 

[Arielle]

Where'd you get the new pan? And how big is it?
I just got done drooling over Porters turkeys again. I discovered my Blue Slate hen is actually Self Blue. If I read correctly, I should get 100% Red Slates from my Bourbon and the Self Blue, or did I misread that?

IDK where he bought the pan-- probably walmart.

Oh I hope you are right-- the red slates will be very pretty!!

 

[Arielle]

Their genotype is (b+b+rr) Bronze based and homozygous for recessive red."

I do not need new genetics to learn, but I'll try. The Red Slate's genotype is (b+b+Dd). Does the recessive red really play a part since the reds are still bronze based? Or will the red 'bleed' through and make... No, it can't. It takes 2 recessive genes to be visible, so my poults would be bronze based with a single recessive (non-visible) red gene. The Dd is dominate slate, and my self blue is BBDD, double dominant slate. The BB is black... And dominant. But, does bronze act like the agouti gene in horses and cats? If so, the bronze should always show if there is one gene.

Of course, Kevin goes on to say, "Color genes in turkeys are not always completely dominant or recessive."

ETA: Basically, if I cross my Red tom with my Self Blue, I could get blacks, bronze, slate or rusty black (see the various color combos page on Porters for the rusty colors). I think...

ETA Again: Yes, I believe I was right and bronze is like the agouti gene.

"Rusty Black:
This combination at hatch has the typical white face pattern of a black based poult, but at maturity the bronze base dominates over the black. This is an example showing how turkey color genes are not always completely dominate or recessive.

Looks like you just need to do the cross and see what cool colors show up-- then you will know.

 

[Arielle]

We're just a family of 2 (sometimes 6 at the holidays), so we're thinking MWs will be a good size for us. I usually order a 12-15lb bird and have plenty of leftovers. They did win a taste test a few years back, but all the heritage birds beat out the Butterball.

The downsides to them (IMO) are that they aren't an APA recognized breed (not for show) and they're all white. Their personalities more than make up for it, but it's fun to have some of those great colors mentioned above running around the barnyard. White should make for a nice table bird tho.

The chalenges of only one breed ---

IMO how the birds taste is very reflective of the feed. When I raised the BBW they tasted like the commercial birds. A couple birds had a weird taste -- to me , know one else noticed. While I feed the heritage birds the same feed, they eat a lot more greens and forage around the farm-- so maybe it is a combo of thier genetics and the foraging. I'm not really sure. BUt I do know that I like the flavor of any heritage bird, they have never given me the off flavor that I noticed withthe couple BBW.

I have auburns-- not APA either. Maybe if the birds can be presented they can get APA statis. BUt I rarely see a turkey at a show, which is what it takes to get them recognized. NOt likely to get 50 birds at a big show. So we struggle on with our favorites.

 

[uphilljill]

turkey photobomb

 

[Arielle]

Does anyone else have a bare floor coop or shelter or grown out pen? I have a grow out pen for the turkeys being raised for the freezer it is a 3 sided shelter with a roof and a fence around it. My problem is it is so mucky in it between their own waste and rain making it super muddy and spilled food and waterer. I do my best to let them out often(less so now that one crossed the road) and I try to lay hay on the ground(I know not ideal). But does anyone have any other tips on bare floor housing situations. I would like to fix up the housing for the remaining 7 weeks they have and also have a better plan in mind for next year.

Water flow is definitely something to learn about each farm. Each can be so different. My most recent coop went on a small hill in the woods and when we dug the post holes-- it is all sand for great drainage.

In another coop I lay on hay-- the old stemmy stuff is stiff and holds up better than shavings IMO. I cover the run and the coop, and both are covered on top as well. I just keep adding layers.

Otherwise can you see one side, like the uphill side that might be directing water into the coop?? If so dig a shallow ditch to catch the water and direct it away.

HOpe this info helps.

 

[Arielle]

turkey photobomb

DOes he know . . .????