Turkeys about breeding time

[CrealCritter]

This information on starting turkey poults from Porter's Rare Heritage Turkeys
pretty much sums up what some of my books say and is the plan I'm going to stick too for my next brood.

Tips on starting your poults
https://www.porterturkeys.com/poultstartingtips.htm

 

[sumi]

From what I heard and seen about ACV (apple cider vinegar) is that it aids in nutrient absorption, promotes feather growth, a healthy gut, etc, etc… I've given it to my chickens, chicks and older birds, and I was amazed at the results. I'd continue giving it to them and change the feed as you said. Hopefully the next batch will do better for you!

 

[CrealCritter]

Little turkey Tom's. Their feathers are just starting to darken up.

They got a long ways to go before they can become Thanksgiving dinner like my mature Tom will be here pretty soon.

 

[CrealCritter]

My unrelated tom died until I have new breeding stock I'm only breeding for meat, unfortunately. Since my tom is the brother to one of my hens and the son to the other, lol. Next year I'll have multiple genetic lines though!

Man that stinks your breeder Tom died.

 

[baymule]

We want pictures of the plucking, cleaning and cooking process!

 

[CrealCritter]

We want pictures of the plucking, cleaning and cooking process!

Ok when the time comes... I had to use a pair of visegrips to pluck the wing and tail feathers. They are big and won't let loose easily.

 

[CrealCritter]

Here's a picture of the 4 Tom's that have lived, i lost my two hens. I'll be changing up several things for the lay late winter or early spring. I'm most definitely going to get a incubator and follow strict brooding guidance.

I think I might have figured out what's going on with my turkey chick survival rate. A few days ago I noticed a faint smell of clorine coming from my garden hose. We are on town water and I'm wondering if the town is not treating our water with clorine? I bet they are and young turkeys don't have a fully developed liver which could result in death from clorine poisoning. I'm going to call the water department and ask about how they are treating our water .But just to be sure, next brood I'm using spring water and not city water

They are cute at this age. I like it when they display and fan their tail feathers. I noticed one jake has a perfect dark ring accross it's tail feathers. Depending on it's temperment, I plan on keeping him as my new stud Tom. The rest will become dinner.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

they are cute!

 

[baymule]

How in the dickens do commercial turkey growers keep the darn things alive?

 

[CrealCritter]

I got a sore stomach from laughing so hard this morning when I went into the turkey yard to feed the Jake's. They all puffed up their feathers, fanned their tails and tried to gobble at me. It sounded so funny. This is the first gobble I heard from them and just like a baby learning to talk they couldn't quite get it right - they sounded so funny!