- Mar 28, 2012
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Soooo, after doing tons of research I THINK I want to try turkens for DP birds. I already have a mixed laying flock (18 hens, 1 roo), from which I'll also cull any unwanted roos each year, but I also want a straight forward DP meat bird and research tells me that turkens may be what I seek (not too interested in cornish X.)
So I can wait till spring, or I can place an order from cackle now. Was thinking 25 cockerels and 5 pullets. Then, as they grow, choose the best one or two NN hens and best NN rooster for future breeding, and cull the rest for the freezer at 18-20 weeks.
I can keep the "keepers" with my laying flock (lots of space, assuming the two roos can get along, but I'd think with over 20 hens to share, and a 2500 sq ft run, they may be ok) and just segregate them when I want to breed more NN's.
But that would put the NN's ready to butcher right in the dead of winter. Dumb?
Better to wait till spring?
I have local sources of farm raised chicken to get us through the winter, so there's no rush. I'm just excited
So I can wait till spring, or I can place an order from cackle now. Was thinking 25 cockerels and 5 pullets. Then, as they grow, choose the best one or two NN hens and best NN rooster for future breeding, and cull the rest for the freezer at 18-20 weeks.
I can keep the "keepers" with my laying flock (lots of space, assuming the two roos can get along, but I'd think with over 20 hens to share, and a 2500 sq ft run, they may be ok) and just segregate them when I want to breed more NN's.
But that would put the NN's ready to butcher right in the dead of winter. Dumb?
Better to wait till spring?
I have local sources of farm raised chicken to get us through the winter, so there's no rush. I'm just excited
