Baby Turkeys have Hatched

CrealCritter

Sustainability Master
Joined
Jul 16, 2017
Messages
10,639
Reaction score
19,827
Points
377
Location
Zone 6B or 7 can't decide
Two Burbon Reds sitting, 3 baby turkeys hatched this morning. Cute Lil things aren't they?
IMG_20170720_164003841.jpg


I counted about 15 eggs per clutch so hopefully they will hatch out a few more over the next few days :)
 

Mini Horses

Sustainability Master
Joined
Sep 2, 2015
Messages
7,071
Reaction score
14,452
Points
352
Location
coastal VA
Saw your picture of the tom on your other thread -- handsome!!
the hens look as lovely.

So, will you butcher them a couple at a time when matured? That's a lot of turkey when they both hatch most of the eggs. And a lot of freezer space -- if you leave them whole. Personally, I'd split some for sake of ease of use & freezer space.

This year I'll butcher chickens. May do a few turkeys next yr. Just so big to handle....smaller than those hogs I cut up !:cool:
 

CrealCritter

Sustainability Master
Joined
Jul 16, 2017
Messages
10,639
Reaction score
19,827
Points
377
Location
Zone 6B or 7 can't decide
Yes absolutely I will process them when they mature. We have two big freezers so lots of freezer space. That's the main reason to got turkeys is to eat. Am a bit of a turkey-a-holic.

Both hens laid clutches in Jan this year but not a single egg hatched - I believe the eggs got too cold before they decided to sit. This is the second clutch this year and success - I'm very happy.

This is a really good picture of Tom standing guard over the hens that we're sitting on their first clutches this year.

400.jpg
 
Last edited:

CrealCritter

Sustainability Master
Joined
Jul 16, 2017
Messages
10,639
Reaction score
19,827
Points
377
Location
Zone 6B or 7 can't decide
Saw your picture of the tom on your other thread -- handsome!!
the hens look as lovely.

So, will you butcher them a couple at a time when matured? That's a lot of turkey when they both hatch most of the eggs. And a lot of freezer space -- if you leave them whole. Personally, I'd split some for sake of ease of use & freezer space.

This year I'll butcher chickens. May do a few turkeys next yr. Just so big to handle....smaller than those hogs I cut up !:cool:

I like it when I can raise my own food. I know how it lived, how it was treated, what environment it lived in and what it eat. Plus it's just very satisfying to say - Hey I raised this tasty meat :)

I'll keep my Tom and the two Hens through the winter now that I know they are productive and everything is working as it should. I'll process the rest to eat.
 
Last edited:

CrealCritter

Sustainability Master
Joined
Jul 16, 2017
Messages
10,639
Reaction score
19,827
Points
377
Location
Zone 6B or 7 can't decide
Your birds are just gorgeous!!!! Most folks' turkeys you see are kind of ratty looking in their feathering.

Thank you :)

I feed them 21% protein meat bird feed and wild bird seeds as a treat occasionally. I also add Bragg's apple cider vinegar at the rate of 1 cap full per gallon of water. I think that has a lot to do with the condition they are in...
download.jpg

cr-thumbs-pres-meatbird.png

rk_new_40wbs.jpg
 

Latest posts

Top