[hillfooter]

The three little piggies aren't so little anymore and will be going to market Monday.  Arrrh!

But does anyone know of a source for turkey growers or day olds in the Bedford area.  We would like to grow 6 for santa.  Failing that geese would also be a possibility.  Do these require warm indoor conditions to reach a reasonable weight for Christmas time?

Thanks
HF

[Aunt Sally]

Is a two hour drive each way too far HF ?

[joyfull]

Have a chat with Grannie Annie about their care but a book I have recommends that they are kept indoors until they shoot the red (which apparently means until they get their neck caruncles - those strange little protrusions on the front of their necks  ). Don't forget about the risk of blackhead so make sure they are not on the same ground as your chickens.

[GrannieAnnie]

Hi Terry, we get our turkey poults in Essex, but I don't know anyone your way I'm afraid.

If you are wanting them at day old, they have to start off warmer than chicks, but once older, the cold doesn't seem to affect them.  We are getting ours next Friday, and they will be off heat 5-6 weeks later depending on the weather conditions.  If favourable, they will  start to go outside then.  They were out in all weathers last year. Rain, snow, fog, even sunshine!!   

Here is a link to Kelly's stock management page.  I know its for the bigger boys, but some of the info is still pertinent to us small rearers!

http://www.kellyturkeys.co.uk/kellybronze-turkeys-chickens-default.aspx?m=6&mi=105

Good luck!!!   

[pigeonpie]

Just a word of warning about where you keep them...
Someone we know has brought on cockerels and a few turkeys for Christmas for the last couple of years.  Last year all but one of the birds were stolen, a few weeks before Christmas.  The difficulty that they have is that they are kept on land away from houses (to prevent complaints about the noise, etc) and despite having some serious gates and fences to get past they are often targeted by thieves.  Having said that, after the first birds were taken they decided to stay up the yard in the caravan for a few nights but ended up returning home after being disturbed by thieves again and fearing for their safety.  Just to say, we're in a quiet village not in a dangerous inner city.
 

[joyfull]

I never found Annies turkeys that noisy although if you do make the gobblin noise to them then they all shout the same noise back at you 

[GrannieAnnie]

You're right Joy, they are only noisy when they gobble, and they don't gobble all the time, only when talking to me or if they are spooked.

We are always aware of theft, but have been lucky so far, but we are not easy to gain access to and as they are right next to the house, we can hear them when they do get spooked!

[hillfooter]

Is a two hour drive each way too far HF ?

Thanks Aunt Sally,

Just checked with Carole and she seems game so what were you thinking of?

HF

[GrannieAnnie]

Who's a 2 hour drive then Auntie?

Joy said we are coming to see you soon HF!??   

[Aunt Sally]

Who's a 2 hour drive then Auntie?

I think you know !

It's the person that I get my Christmas Turkey from.

[GrannieAnnie]

     They are good people, who raise good turkeys! 

[Aunt Sally]

The are indeed Grannie.  i have visited their premises and it's top notch.

[joyfull]

have already informed HF that me and that breeder will be going his way in the very near future