[ANHBUC]

3 weeks old now, how they have grown.

[ANHBUC]

   nearly as big as step mum

[GrannieAnnie]

Awww, they are doing well!

[ANHBUC]

Thanks GA heres one of Bootsy who is still a bit smaller than Snudge.  The breeder said Snudge would be a Pied turkey or a big Christmas turkey so will have to wait and see.  I think there is a little bit of black coming through on the wing feathers.

[GrannieAnnie]

The 13 that I kept from the first lot with leg problems are getting stronger now.  they will be 5 weeks tomorrow.  One of them flew over a 4ft fence yesterday!  Brian went out to put them away and he could hear loud cheeping.  The escapee was wandering along the stock fencing outside where the chooks are!

The little ones were 3 weeks yesterday, and some of them are a bit dodgy on their legs.  I'm wondering if the breeders are using new young parent stock or perhaps hanging on to the older ones   But that isn't like them.

I don't think its anything we've done as no different from all the other years we've raised them

[Aunt Sally]

How many turkeys is BRIAN raising this year, Ann ?

[ANHBUC]

Glad they have picked up.  It is amazing how quickly they develop and how far they can fly.

You might be better letting them have feedback so they can adjust their breeding program or look into the incubation side so they can rectify the problem before next year.

Bootsy (? female) is still not as strong as Snudge (? male) so I hope that I will not have problems when she gets heavier.

[GrannieAnnie]

How many turkeys is BRIAN raising this year, Ann ?

53! 

Was supposed to be just 30 for us and family and freezer, but because we had leg probs with the first 30, they replaced that 30, plus gave us 10 because of the petrol we used going to collect them, plus when I sorted the originals out (because I'm better at it than Brian!) I kept the 13 best ones.

Brian does do most of it, but as he is trying to get the patio and paths block paved and I can't do much to that, I am helping a bit, but he does most of it as I have my veggies to look after!   

The breeders are aware of the problem, and we've never had probs from them before, but don't yet yet what might happen next year, I may be back in Kent PERMANENTLY by then!

Especially as my cousin's family keep on at me now about being nearer too!!!   

[New shoot]

They are getting big    Quite a different shape from hens that age so interesting to see 

Wonder how foster mum will cope when they are towering over her 

[ANHBUC]

Dotty is my smallest hen as well New shoot so it will look odd.

Her last brood were Bantams and she left them to their own devices at around 7 weeks old.  She might leave the turkey poults earlier if she thinks they are big enough to look after themselves. 

They are enjoying the sunshine at the moment so Dotty is getting a bit of a break.   

[agapanthus]

They really are GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ANHBUC]

They really are GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad you are liking the photos Aunty Aggy, her are some more.  They are just over 4 weeks old now and are getting good at flying!     Only let out on hot and sunny days which they love.

[ANHBUC]

Hubby can't believe how quickly they are growing as he only sees them on a weekend.

[GrannieAnnie]

Are they taller than Mum yet or about the same?  They are doing well aren't they?

[ANHBUC]

They are taller when they stand upright but a lot thinner than Dotty.  I can't wait for them to come off the heat so they can freerange most of the day.

How are your flock doing GA?