Turkeys For 2013

[Momhunter]

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.

That's what I was thinking. I wanted the RP because they are so pretty. I am keeping a trio for breeding and let then run around the farm. But am considering raising some MW next spring for table birds ready to process at 6 mo and thought that they would be better suited for that than the RP. I will still process my extra RPs and probably keep either a pair or trio of the MW next year. That is if I can convince my DH to help me build another pen. . I keep saying this is the last pen, then get another type of poultry or breed that needs another pen.

 

[uphilljill]

You are correct... What they eat makes all the difference. 2008 taste test article for anyone interested:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/turkey-taste-test.aspx#axzz2h2rQ2iRs

 

[mrclif]

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.

I've been piling dirt around walls and trenching to direct water away from shed juding from yesterdays rain I just bout got it done.

 

[kuntrygirl]

turkey photobomb

I LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE THE TURKEY GETTING IN THE PIC!!!!!!!!!!

 

[desertmarcy]

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.

If you cross your Bourbon Red tom b+b+rr with your Self Blue hen BBDD, you will only get one genotype Bb+DdRr. Since both parents are homozygous for each gene they carry, the offspring will get one of each gene from each parents. The turkey calculator calls this color "cinnamon slate" but Kevin says that calculator is not always correct.

Kevin runs a turkey color genetics group on Yahoo. The group sometimes goes for long periods with no posts, but it is a good way to learn about turkey color genetics and you can post questions there. In fact I have extra Bourbon Red toms and extra Self Blue hens myself that I could pair up next year (if only I had an extra pen!!) so maybe I'll post on there and ask if the "cinnamon slate" color on the turkey calculator is accurate.

 

[desertmarcy]

If you cross your Bourbon Red tom b+b+rr with your Self Blue hen BBDD, you will only get one genotype Bb+DdRr. Since both parents are homozygous for each gene they carry, the offspring will get one of each gene from each parents. The turkey calculator calls this color "cinnamon slate" but Kevin says that calculator is not always correct.

Kevin runs a turkey color genetics group on Yahoo. The group sometimes goes for long periods with no posts, but it is a good way to learn about turkey color genetics and you can post questions there. In fact I have extra Bourbon Red toms and extra Self Blue hens myself that I could pair up next year (if only I had an extra pen!!) so maybe I'll post on there and ask if the "cinnamon slate" color on the turkey calculator is accurate.

I looked at Kevin's site again and he is calling that genotype a "Rusty Slate". It is pictured under the various other color combinations.

 

[Momhunter]

I thought porters sold midget whites but didn't see them on their web page. Where can in order some from?? Any of you going to ship eggs next spring??

 

[desertmarcy]

I thought porters sold midget whites but didn't see them on their web page. Where can in order some from?? Any of you going to ship eggs next spring??

I've been following Porter for several years and don't ever remember seeing either Midget Whites or Beltsville Whites on his web page. At this point in time, I'm hoping to be able to ship poults next year, if I get orders.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: YEah-- great job. Well worth the effort.

Quote:

I might be interest ed in some poults. I kn ow many shipp just a few birds now with a heat pack for warmth. ANy thoughts on shipping just a few poults?? 15 seems like a head ache-- but may it's the time of year and I will feel differently in the spring!! lol

 

[desertmarcy]

YEah-- great job. Well worth the effort.

I might be interest ed in some poults. I kn ow many shipp just a few birds now with a heat pack for warmth. ANy thoughts on shipping just a few poults?? 15 seems like a head ache-- but may it's the time of year and I will feel differently in the spring!! lol

I know what you mean! I keep getting calls for chicks and with all my growing chickens, I can't even think about hatching right now! I have shipped chicken chicks but have not shipped poults. I know they are more delicate so not sure about shipping fewer. Here, it gets warm so soon in the spring, I'd kind of hate to put a heat pack in with them. They've got to make it out of Arizona first!

15---not a problem! When I found out when my Porter poults were due to ship, I set my own eggs so they'd hatch at the same time. I had about 45 poults all at once. My main problem was, I wanted to handle them so they would be friendly, and with my other chores, I didn't have time to do that enough. The more interesting colors got handled more, and there were so many look-alikes (self blues from Porter plus my own), I could have picked up the same one over and over and not known! Ha, I can sure tell now which ones got handled a lot---they are the pests and the others hang back.