Turkeys For 2013

[Arielle]

Quote: THe top 2 look like the sweetgrass , or calico coloring. Pics avail at PORterw website. for comparison. He gives the details on most of the colors. Still makes my head spin.

The others look like mixes. THey are very pretty with all mixed up genes. I love looking at mine.

 

[Sally8]

THey are very pretty with all mixed up genes. I love looking at mine.

X2

 

[chickadoodles]

If you are curious about poult sexing, you might want to read page 276, top posting on sexing.https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/725829/turkeys-for-2013/2750 A lot of this info I acquired from other very knowledgeable turkey breeders on BYC and some from observing mine over the past few years and others from reading a lot of very old turkey farming books. #8 was a research I conducted over quite a few months and a trial on a few hundred birds since Jan. this year. This seams to be the most asked question on the turkey threads, so I posted what I believe to be true and ask if anyone has anything to add, please do, then maybe we can add it to KuntryGirl's posting of Turkeys 101 and maybe someone will do a cross breeding chart, since that seams to be question #2 and there are quite a few combinations of breeds, possibly endless! What do you think, guys?

Thanks so much for reminding me about your write up on the sexting. I did read it again. Thank you! I will try holding the poults to see what I do have.

This information may be listed in the link posted above.

In this thread and possibly in the Silky thread, it was suggested to turn the poult/chick upside down in your hand. When it has calmed down, if the legs are drawn up against the belly - female. If one or both legs are extended - male. The person posting this said it's about 95% accurate.

Plus this poult is growing slower than then ones doing male displaying and has slimmer legs.

Thank you. I will try it today and see if the poult I hope is a female is a female!

 

[B J Hopkins]

She's very pretty! I have a question. When I bought my Blue Slate's, I was told that they do not breed true, meaning that I could end up with blue, black or white. Would that be a problem for you? I just love my turkeys but they like to chicken stomp.

This is the information from "Porters Rare Heritage Turkey":
When breeding Slate to Slate, the results are turkeys of three different colors, Slate,Self Blue and Black.
When breeding Self Blue to Self Blue, only Self Blues result.
When breeding Self Blue to Black, only slates result.
When breeding Slate to Black both slates and blacks result, with no self blues.
When breeding Self Blue to Slate both Slates and Self Blues result, with no blacks.
When breeding Black to Black, just Blacks result.
In my breeding groups I use Self Blue toms on Slate hens which always result in Slate and Self Blue offspring only.
I purposely do this to avoid producing Blacks from this color.

I'm really enjoying my turkey poults. But my Tom goes crazy about fighting one of my two Roosters. Also I've one hen w/chicks that he chases when ever he gets the chance. That scares me as I'm afraid he'll kill the babies.

 

[Sally8]

Thank you. I think I need to go to Porter's web site as there seems to be a lot of information there. I guess I thought the color possibilities would be more of a chance. I haven't seen a turkey (color) that I didn't think "gosh, they are beautiful". I wish I could keep mine but as they want to stomp the chickens and I just don't have the room. My mom has been in the hospital with cancer, had a heart attack, etc. I'm not at home as much as I wish. Thanks again. sue

 

[chickadoodles]

Thank you. I think I need to go to Porter's web site as there seems to be a lot of information there. I guess I thought the color possibilities would be more of a chance. I haven't seen a turkey (color) that I didn't think "gosh, they are beautiful". I wish I could keep mine but as they want to stomp the chickens and I just don't have the room. My mom has been in the hospital with cancer, had a heart attack, etc. I'm not at home as much as I wish. Thanks again. sue

Sue so sorry to hear about your mom. Will keep her and you and your family in our thoughts and prayers! I hope things get better for you soon! Cheryl

 

[Celie]

Sue so sorry to hear about your mom. Will keep her and you and your family in our thoughts and prayers! I hope things get better for you soon! Cheryl

We all will! Praying for her speedy recovery!

 

[Turkeytruff]

One of My Slate Blue turkey is now so blind that even when I hold food if front of his face he cannot see it. He knows where his food dishes are and does eat. But now I know he just follows the others around. I don't know what to do with the poor thing.

So sorry to hear this. When did he go blind|? My blue slates are now about 9 weeks old - one of them has been blind since I got him/her as a 3 day old. S/he manages pretty well using her ears and pipping and I have to say, they seem to know that she can't see and 'look out' for her, calling to her when she gets lost so she can catch up. I also have a couple of male Narragensetts that seem to have taken over care of them, and are very protective.
Keep feeding them in the same place and make the same call when its chow time. I bang their food bowl and call them in a high pitched voice and they come flying over.
She also uses a 'disability aid' - my son made a plank with little slats on it for traction and the first night it was there she marched up it to the roosting bough I have in their turkey tractor. Prior to it she was pitifully trying to fly up and find the roost and 95% failing.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: Perhaps segregating the groups would be good for your peace of mind. NOt always easy I know.

 

[Arielle]

Thank you. I think I need to go to Porter's web site as there seems to be a lot of information there. I guess I thought the color possibilities would be more of a chance. I haven't seen a turkey (color) that I didn't think "gosh, they are beautiful". I wish I could keep mine but as they want to stomp the chickens and I just don't have the room. My mom has been in the hospital with cancer, had a heart attack, etc. I'm not at home as much as I wish. Thanks again. sue

SUe, maybe you can bring a lap top to visit your mom and if she is up to it, share the porter's site with her. Maybe she is up to dealing with a little distraciton from hospital life.

Prayers for you both.