I got my Bourbon Reds from Cackle Hatchery in April of this year. They are 7 months old now. We wound up with 5 females and 7 males. 2 months ago we separated 5 of the males from the rest. One broke his neck trying to escape so he was harvested and about 7 pounds dressed. Last weekend we harvested 2 so they could be brined and smoked at the neighbors using applewood from our old apple tree. Man he did a good job! Both males were close to 12 pounds dressed. Perfect size for the smoker. The 2 left in that pen will be harvested tomorrow for Thanksgiving dinners.
That leaves 2 young toms and the 5 young hens. I noticed an egg on the pen floor last night. Light tan with darker brown speckles and sadly, cracked. The dog will love it! What I am wondering is, are turkey eggs from young hens smaller and more fragile-like eggs from young chickens? And do I need to supply hay or some bedding for turkey nests?
Next question. I noticed that several of the hens have broken off their beak tips. They don't seem bothered by it but is it possible they broke because I had been giving them some cracked corn in a metal pan? I took out the pan anyway. Thanks!
That leaves 2 young toms and the 5 young hens. I noticed an egg on the pen floor last night. Light tan with darker brown speckles and sadly, cracked. The dog will love it! What I am wondering is, are turkey eggs from young hens smaller and more fragile-like eggs from young chickens? And do I need to supply hay or some bedding for turkey nests?
Next question. I noticed that several of the hens have broken off their beak tips. They don't seem bothered by it but is it possible they broke because I had been giving them some cracked corn in a metal pan? I took out the pan anyway. Thanks!
