Turkeys

[yoker]

what are Red Burbons like?
persanality, space requiarments, others?

 

[moduckman]

Broad Breasted variety is just too big to breed without hurting the hen. You can tell the difference between mature standard and BB from a mile away. BB's tend to "break down" over time. I have not seen it mentioned, but I worm my turkeys twice a year. Once after the first hard freeze and agin at the first thaw of spring. I use Wazine pig wormer.

 

[pebblessix]

My avatar has a picture of two bourben reds and my bronze turkeys. Their personalities are similar. Just like people, most days they are in a great mood and other days they seem a little grumpy. The males spend alot of time parading their feathers for the females. My oldest bourben red was the only baby I had when we purchased him. I held him frequently to help him stay warm so he is very sociable with people. I can pick him up and hold him, he allows strangers to pet him and he will sit on my lap. He's kinda heavy, though. At 3 years old he weighs 25lbs. My birds are free range. At night, we pen them in an enclosed area about 15 x 10 feet. There are a total of 8 turkeys in the pen. The turkeys are very protective of their young. They will not allow our hens, roosters, peafowl or ducks within about 40 feet of any of the little ones. They have been excellent parents and our turkey hens have been good sitters. Even the males have been excellent parents. They have never been aggressive towards the young ones. Instead they watch over them and even sit to keep the little tiny ones warm.

 

[sandspoultry]

Quote:
The Bourbons are by far the most curious of our turkeys, to the point of it's hard to work in their area as they are underfoot. Last year I was working on a section on fence and they were all over me, they had to peck at the fence staples (had to keep the box closed or they would run of with them). One hen just had to check out the staple I was pounding into a post, I just knew she was going to get her head between the hammer and nail. We both made it thru just fine

When the hens figured out they could roost on me while I was working they had to go. lol

Steve in NC

 

[pebblessix]

They are very curious. Our turkeys and peafowl tend to follow us all over the property and watch everything we are doing. We have a mirror leaning up against a tree. They really enjoy checking themselves out every morning!

 

[chickenannie]

Quote:
The Bourbons are by far the most curious of our turkeys, to the point of it's hard to work in their area as they are underfoot. Last year I was working on a section on fence and they were all over me, they had to peck at the fence staples (had to keep the box closed or they would run of with them). One hen just had to check out the staple I was pounding into a post, I just knew she was going to get her head between the hammer and nail. We both made it thru just fine

When the hens figured out they could roost on me while I was working they had to go. lol

Steve in NC

 

[farmerlor]

They do like shiny things! Don't go out there wearing a necklace or earrings that dangle because if you bend over they'll throw you to the ground and take it from you....in the most friendly way of course.

 

[Laskaland]

Please visit this thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=92240&p=1

Christina

 

[yoker]

So They will raise there own chicks.
Would 64 sq. ft. be enough space for a pair and their offspring?

 

[sandspoultry]

Quote:
You could but that is on the small side. 8x8 feet isn't really that much room for turkeys, they like to forage and run.

Steve in NC