What kind of turkey are we?

[hogster160]

My neighbor gave me a pair of his turkeys. Unfortunately he doesn't remember what kind he got. They are around 12-16 weeks. Any help is much appreciated!

Deb

 

[turkeyguy123]

They look bronze to me.

 

[hogster160]

Thank you. Now those will breed if I just keep them as pets correct? As you can tell, I'm new to turkeys.

Deb

 

[turkeyguy123]

As long as they aren't broad breasted bronze. They are meat birds and only meant to live a few months.

 

[hogster160]

Ok, so how do I find out what kind of bronze? Will there be something telling on them that I can look for? They are very slow growing, mainly I think because the neighbor is feeding them only cracked corn. I let him know they need grower, so they are all on Nutrena grower 18 0/0 protein now and they are now eating like there is no tomorrow. Thanks again for your help!

Deb

 

[Lagerdogger]

A standard bronze, which is the heritage bronze, will have a very graceful walk on relatively delicate legs. The broad-breasted bronze will stand wi its thick legs far apart, much more similar to a Cornish cross chicken. If you take some pictures from down at the level of the turkeys, it would be easier to tell. from the shots you have, they look standard to me.

 

[hogster160]

Thank you, I will get some better pictures today, that was what I was looking for. But I believe standard would be the ones I have. I remember watching them spring away from the head chicken, no roosters here, and thought wow they moved so far yet looked graceful almost when she moved.

Btw, I love the "chickens were fun"...line in your signature. I agree! These turkeys grew up with their pen parallel to our chicken yard. There is a 12' tree line separating them. So we heard them all the time, just didn't see them. We are so enjoying them. They are smart, smarter than I gave them credit for.

My neighbor has, shall we say, a drinking problem. I've told him before they need more than cracked corn. But that's what he always feeds them. He also has a problem with them flying out of his fence. His fence line is so funny looking atm, 4' chain link with added on height so they stay in, its gotta be 8' tall. He told me to clip their wings, as they would most likely jump my 4' section, and I have not, they are butchered and short right now. Well not once have they even tried. They have so much green, live food from the garden and Nutrena grower they just sit and kick back. He couldn't believe it. So I gave him 1/2 of my bag, weighed out a portion for him, marked the container so he can feed his turkeys something better. He says he will get a bag of his own Friday. We shall see if he remembers. Anyway, I measured out approx 1/2 lbs. per bird per day of the feed for him. Does that sound about right? or should it be more since they have pretty much clean up all the green in their pen. He does let them out to roam his property when hes outside he got 2 1/2 acres, but then back to their pen for the night.

I sure do appreciate all this help, I have no experience with turkeys and just a little more with chickens.

Deb

 

[hogster160]

Here are the picture of their legs.

this is the female

and this is the Tom

Thanks for any help

Deb

 

[Lagerdogger]

They still look standard bronze, especially if they are as old as you believe. Great pet material!

 

[hogster160]

I am very glad to hear that, thank you so much! And pets they will be!

Deb