Turkeys For 2013

[Arielle]

Someone posted about the light color of my poults and I can't find the post. Sorry about that. I thought that I had replied but i didn't. Trying to reply to everyone who has questions. I'm finding that the BR poults that have the lighter colors do not get as dark colored as the others. However, I'm always excited to see the lighter colored poults and I am finding that the lighter colored poults are ALWAYS hens. So, when I see a light colored poult, I know it's a hen. I'm not sure where or how that color was thrown in there but it's been like that for a few years. I will try to take a pic of my lighter colored older hens and post today.

Anyone else with BR's have that happen as far as the light colors?

Interesting. I will look at the poults this year and see if any look lighter. I can't say that I noticed this in past hatches. But then my eye is keener now.

 

[Arielle]

Quote:
My first two breeding adults had their snoods snipped--- Sometimes toms from my later hatches fight ( rarely) and the snood can be damaged and that bothers me; and I have seen a tom accidently eat his snood , lol, and then spit it out. I can see husbandry reasons to shorten the snood.

 

[kuntrygirl]

So, for "dubbing" the toms, is it necessary in cold areas? 

Quote:

OUCH! Why do you want to dub?

Is dubbing removing the snood? I would never do that and I am in a cold area its going to be -5 tomorrow and thats norm for my winter. That seems cruel to do. JMO.

My first two breeding adults had their snoods snipped--- Sometimes toms from my later hatches fight ( rarely) and the snood can be damaged and that bothers me; and I have seen a tom accidently eat his snood , lol, and then spit it out. I can see husbandry reasons to shorten the snood. 

Accidentally ate his snood? OH MY!!!! My first time hearing of this.

 

[fowlsessed]

yes, that's what I was thinking, with roosters many just simply consider it good husbandry. OUCH, ate his snood!! And it could certainly get messed up with serious fighting.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: My first two breeding adults had their snoods snipped--- Sometimes toms from my later hatches fight ( rarely) and the snood can be damaged and that bothers me; and I have seen a tom accidently eat his snood , lol, and then spit it out. I can see husbandry reasons to shorten the snood.

Accidentally ate his snood? OH MY!!!! My first time hearing of this.
Really. lol Really funny. Poor boy. He figured it out and spat it out. The snood can really get in the way. In the winter it hangs into the cold water when they drink. I can only put out so much warm water in a day. I"m wondering if the snood is larger on the domestic turkeys compared to the wild ones. THe two that where here last fall didn't have big snoods, but they could have been hens I guess, but were quite large for hens. Tall as my full grown toms, though not as wide.

 

[Arielle]

THe only time my boys fight is when one is caught on the other side of the fence and hasn't figured out how to continue around, while the others have. WIth the fence between they will fight and fight thru the fence; then I correct the situation, getting them back together and then the serious fight begins. IDK. If any one has a solution, please speak up. THe only answer I have is to stop the free ranging and pen them. THey are the official greeters of the farm.

 

[Bettacreek]

So, I'm having a brain fart on production ages in turkeys. Someone has two year olds for sale and I'd like to get a few more hennies. How much more production will be left from these ladies? I'm only getting one egg per day from two hens currently.

 

[fowlsessed]

So when do turkeys reach breeding age?

 

[Bettacreek]

They typically start humping a month before laying, and laying typically begins at about seven months.

 

[chicken pickin]

They typically start humping a month before laying, and laying typically begins at about seven months.

Oh I hope so. Mine are 7 months old and one of my hens lays down for me. Im always assume its because she "likes me" lol. Im not sure though because I dont know what position they take when ready to mate. Do they squat the way chickens do or do they litterally lay down like my girl does?