Turkeys For 2013

[kuntrygirl]

Thanks! I think I will stay on the 22% for everyone and just provide oyster shell for all the layers like im doing now. I put a dish of oyster shell in with the turkey hens, they will eat that also like the chickens hens correct? So I have so many questions lol. But this thread is great and is helping me with all the little things I havent been able to find else where.

Do you have what is called a "Finisher" feed in your area? What brand feed do you use?

Keep those questions coming. ALL of us have questions. Still a learning experience for everyone on here. We can all learn from one another.

Keep posting and remember that there is NO such thing as a dumb question, so don't be hesitant to ask what you need to ask.

Not sure if I mentioned it but when I started feeding the chickens the higher protein game bird feed, they started laying HUGH eggs. I see a difference in all of the egg laying.

 

[chicken pickin]

Yes we have finisher here I used it for my CX and BBWs last summer. It is 18% protein, 5% max fat, 1.2%max calcium. I feed Blue Seals feed Home Fresh products.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Yes we have finisher here I used it for my CX and BBWs last summer. It is 18% protein, 5% max fat, 1.2%max calcium. I feed Blue Seals feed Home Fresh products.

Ok, so it's a lower protein. I was just curious.

 

[Lexiluke]

All of a sudden, my 7 month old Bourbon jake is trying to have his way with the 4 ladies(also 7 months). Can I assume this means I am about a month away from eggs? I am in New Hampshire and it is mighty cold and will be for another good month to two months.

 

[chicken pickin]

All of a sudden, my 7 month old Bourbon jake is trying to have his way with the 4 ladies(also 7 months). Can I assume this means I am about a month away from eggs? I am in New Hampshire and it is mighty cold and will be for another good month to two months.

Im in NH also and my Bourbon Reds are also 7 months. I havent noticed mating with mine yet but my hen lays down for me and has for about a month. Im excited for eggs. Keep us posted on whether or not they look to be successfully mating and also once your hens start laying.

 

[Treebird]

Ok, I took pics last night of the darkest colored poult and the light poult that I was talking about on yesterday. Here goes..............

Light Colored Poult:

Dark Colored Poult:

Poults Together

Celie, do you think it's possible to have sex linked Turkeys? That is an excellent topic of discussion that you brought up. I never thought about that. :/

Anyone else find light colored poults in their bunch?

I tried to get a few pic of the light colored hens but one of they were flying in the tree to roost, so I couldn't get a good pic, so I will try again today after work.

I don't know if just randomly you can have sexlinked turkeys but it is possible in using Bronze and Auburn breedings.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Ok, I took pics last night of the darkest colored poult and the light poult that I was talking about on yesterday. Here goes..............

[
Celie, do you think it's possible to have sex linked Turkeys? That is an excellent topic of discussion that you brought up. I never thought about that. :/

Anyone else find light colored poults in their bunch?

I tried to get a few pic of the light colored hens but one of they were flying in the tree to roost, so I couldn't get a good pic, so I will try again today after work.

I don't know if just randomly you can have sexlinked turkeys but it is possible in using Bronze and Auburn breedings.

Ok, I didn't know that. That's interesting. I wonder where this gene comes from with my BRs. I want you all to see the other light colored hens. I will try to get a pic of my girls when I get home if they are not running amuck around the chicken yard.

 

[Treebird]

I think you use an Auburn tom on Bronze hens and all the female offspring will be bronze and the male offspring will be Auburn. It might be the other way around. You can probably confirm what is correct by calling Kevin Porter, he's a turkey genetics genius. That's where I get most of my info from, he's got all the years and resources invested in it.

 

[fowlsessed]

Another question, in trying to make my decision between MW's and BR's I think this is going to be the deciding factor.......Do the MW's eat significantly less than the BR's, considering the size difference?
Thanks again,
(MW's = Midget Whites and BR's = Bourbon Reds)

 

[larry529]

I am curious on the midgets vs bourbons also. I know they take around the same time to fill out. But midgets also are not big I think the males get to 18 vs BR get to 30 plus..