What kind of turkeys are best for first timers?

[Quailer21]

I have some 75% wild Florida turkeys in the incubator. How do you think those will turn out?

 

[TV]

I have some 75% wild Florida turkeys in the incubator. How do you think those will turn out?

100% Turkey

 

[Buxton Ducks]

2 Years ago I got Royal Palms as pets for my first turkeys. The hens were awesome but the tom tried to kill me. I got rid of them and got Blue Slate turkeys. Again, hens awesome, toms nasty. Not sure whether or not this was breed related or not. But I have geese now instead

 

[flocksalot]

Never had a mean or nasty Tom. We have had some aggressive hens, but not to humans. They went after everything else though. I raise BBW and Midgets. They are both so very sweet. They are also very protective of me. Anyone comes on our farm and if I don't tell the turkeys it's ok they start threatening. We kept a BBW as a pet. Actually we had two hens, but lost Gracie on New Year's Eve. Eva is now 2 years old and oing great. She runs around with our Midgets though and I think they keep her healthy. She is huge though!

I think if you don't handle your toms they can get aggressive. They need to know that you are the dominant Tom. I pet, fluff, and even pick up our toms every day. They will follow me around and strut like crazy. I can walk up to any of our toms and start playing with them. They know I won't steal their girls, but wouldn't challenge me if I picked up a girl either. Never had a goose come crawl in my lap and go to sleep. Never had a goose come running Into my arms for a hug either.

 

[Arielle]

You're going to get a different answer from everyone. I've raised Commercial whites, Midget Whites, Bourbons, and Bronzes. The Bourbons are by far, way by FAR, friendlier and more curious than any other variety of turkey that I have raised. They love their treats and will come up to the house asking for them, knocking politely on the door first of course. They will sit in your lap and fall asleep. They will follow you around all day checking out what you're doing to make sure it's being done right. ANY noise will get the boys going to tell you that something strange is going on. They're great layers but I can't talk about how well they nest because I take all their eggs and put them in the incubator. I can't afford to let a turkey take off almost three months while she lays the eggs, sits the nest and then recovers. Anyway, that's my opinion. Good Luck!

You are soooo right!!!

A delivery person always asked when I was getting rid of my BR toms, they free range and come to bother him when unloading. Well about the 3rd time, I explained that these boys were nice and were pets and didn't cause problems. THe driver revealed that he had had very bad experiences with turkeys as a child. Well of course I felt bad but reassured him that these guys would play nice. ANd they always have, THe driver doesn't ask when I'm getting rid of them.

I am raising of the turkeys to compare. Only know my line of BR so far.

 

[Arielle]

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[Quailer21]

I meant pet wise.