Turkeys For 2013

[Pele]

Is it too late to join this thread? So much fun!


Last year we got ahold of Pencilled Palm eggs, and hatched them under two broody cochins (yes it was hilarious, but effective!). They are gooorgeous adults now, and I am gleefully waiting spring so we can finally figure out who is a boy and who is a girl. For some reason, they are seriously hard to tell apart.

We'll be taking eggs from them, and hatching more this spring to clean up the gender ratio (once we figure out who is who, and have the extra toms walk the green mile.) Once that's settled, we can really start a breeding program!

And of course, we'll pick up our usual annual assortment of BB chicks that will eventually become Thanksgiving and Christmas.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Pele, it is never too late! We still have 11 months left in 2013. We have a lot of talking to do here.

 

[myfinefeatheredfriends]

I only have one turkey right now that I keep as a pet. She is amazing and I want more someday. I used to have two buddies for her but they both ended up being toms and I didn't want to breed her since she has a crooked toe so I had to get rid of the boys. She is almost as winter hardy as my ducks but friendly like my chickens.

 

[GotCoop]

2013 will be my first year for turkeys...looking at a handful of midget whites and blue slates for mostly free-ranging. Great forum lots of great information. Thanks

 

[TamTurkey]

I was given some pointers on boiling cracked corn adding in a bit of animal fat and then mixing in my normal feed to help fatten them up. The theory is feeding straight corn takes too much energy to eat it. I have added in some yogurt for good flora and a dap of acv. And some boss for protein and some kale for vitamins. 2 weeks to show and trying to bulk up my show birds . They love the stuff so I will continue cooking for them for the next. 2 weeks. Just how I can get the ones I don't show to actually eatnormal feed until its time to process. You're ok with eating beans every day until someone gives you a steak, then you never want beans again.

 

[kuntrygirl]

2013 will be my first year for turkeys...looking at a handful of midget whites and blue slates for mostly free-ranging.  Great forum lots of great information.  Thanks

Welcome to the world of Turkeys. You will LOVE it !

 

[MrandMrsDavis]

Thank you for so much amazing information. We are planning to get our first turkeys this spring. We started with 25 chickens and 5 guineas last year. Processed out our own roos and guineas. I have learned so much from all of you already. I do have a couple questions though.

We have a large garden that provides much of our food for the year. I have techniques for keeping my chickens out of stuff. What about turkeys? With the weight difference, they will squash and break plants. Is this something to even worry about? We have no fencing around our dry grass pastures (6acres). My "ideal dream" is that they forage off of the millions of grasshoppers out there and stay close to home, coming in at night. I will have feeders and water fonts out for them too.

We had thought about fencing them. I don't like the idea of trimming feathers because then they have no way to escape a predator. From what I've read, fencing is really only a suggestion to these birds that this is where you would like for them to stay. They will do what they want...

Oh. We are leaning toward the Naragansetts or Bourbon Reds with plans to eat them and maybe hatch out a few just for us to raise. No plans to sell birds.

Thanks for your advice in advance.

Peace.

 

[Arielle]

Kuntry girl-- contrats on a great hatch.. Refresh my memory --how long did you hold those eggs and at what temp? So cute to see the poults-- I"m going thru withdrawls.

Lots of new faces!! THis is turning into a great thread!!

I know when I was looking for turkeys, the leads were few. Not many people have turkeys compared to chickens. Is everyone finding what they are looking for??

 

[chicken pickin]

Do turkey hens go through any changes right before she is ready to lay eggs(kind of how a chicken will get bigger and bright red comb and wattles, squat, practice egg song etc) Is there anything I should be looking for to tell if its getting close?

 

[uphilljill]

We're planning on adding our first turkeys (Bourbon Reds) to our flock this year as well. Looking forward to learning more from all of you!