Turkeys For 2013

[piglett]

Just looked at the base of my super duper roaster = Food Network 16.75 x 14 x 5 35# is about the max in the BBW model. I can fit a larger size in my oven, but that size would need to come from a professional kitchen supply store.

As for hatching, yes they are like chickens, just 7 days longer. Porter's turkeys has a page on hatching. In the spring we ( BYC) usually have a hatch athon, the Cinco de MAyo hatch.

we plan on setting every egg our bronze hen lays
got a 1/2 priced deal on a sportsman incubator (it holds 150 eggs)
i had to go all the way up to the Canadian line to pick it up but i still feel it was worth it.

 

[kuntrygirl]

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Thanks, I have woods in the back of the property so I was worried about free ranging as far as, will they go into the trees with the wild turkeys and then not come back down?

In our experience, the BBBs really like to range around. The males mostly strut and near the end of their time don't range far, but the females love finding little private places to nest and can & will take quite a walk if they feel inspired. They are very social, so will stick near you if you're around ... but they are also curious and will explore, so might go looking for the person if they hear an interesting conversation happening without them. They do fly/hop a few feet up when they are younger/lighter ... and the hens will roost at max weights, but not very high. I don't *think* they'll go native on you ... but we don't have wild turkeys here tempting our flock.

I'd think if you confined them all the time, they might not get enough exercise to be super sturdy to support their eventual weight. I think walking around is important. They are hard on their coops/runs due to their size and the amount of poo they produce, so ranging is a good relief to that.

Also ... keep an eye on them and be prepared to cull one at any time. And of course you could always process them before they get super huge ... that's probably more efficient for feed conversion anyway.

 

[piglett]

here is William
him & Kate will not go in the oven
they will be for breeding come spring

 

[larry529]

They can look so adorable, and sadly you raise them for a purpose and when its time to butcher, it really is sad unless someone lacks a heart.

 

[Arielle]

Where is that pic of the vege platter turkey???

 

[piglett]

Where is that pic of the vege platter turkey???

none of those will be posted by me

 

[chickadoodles]

Here it is Arielle. I saved it and shared it.

 

[Arielle]

Quote:
I'm scoping this out to make a smaller version . . . . like midget size . . .

 

[Arielle]

CHicken pick-- you promised us a pic after roasting . . . .

Hope you had a wonderful time with your family today!!