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Poultry and Pets => Chicken Chat => Topic started by: ANHBUC on August 14, 2012, 14:30

Title: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 14, 2012, 14:30
 :ohmy:  Well it was definately worth a try.  Dotty went broody and I managed to get 3 Bronze and 3 Norfolk Black turkey eggs.  She is the smallest of my 2 Wyandotte Partridge bantams but she has done a great job.  It is day 28 and I didn't expect anything yet as it was late in the day when I put the eggs under her.  Checked after lunch to make sure she would drink as she won't leave the nest on the final day.  There were 2 Bronze chicks, 1 nice and fluffy and the other just drying out.  Held the drinker for Dotty to have a well deserved drink and by was she thirsty.

I will post pictures as soon as I can without disturbing her.  I will be really surprised if she manages to hatch any more as her sister Lotty snuck 4 of her eggs in the nest at one point.  Some of the eggs will have gone cold but you never know so I am keeping my fingers crossed.  I hope I get at least one Norfolk Black but I am so chuffed with the 2 already hatched.   :D
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: Craigx on August 14, 2012, 14:55
Congratulations! Cant wait to see some pics
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 14, 2012, 16:08
First pictures  :D
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: arugula on August 14, 2012, 16:11
What a clever girl. :D
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: JaK on August 14, 2012, 16:19
Brilliant news. Dotty has done a great job, fingers crossed for one or two more.  :D
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 14, 2012, 16:23
I have homes lined up for 4 of them but I am amazed with the 2 that have hatched.  Dotty only weighs around 800g so she is a real super star. 
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: splash101 on August 14, 2012, 16:44
fantastic, hope they all hatch  :)
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 14, 2012, 19:57
Well 4 hatched up to now. 

Don't know what this little one is as it doesn't seem to have the colouring of either a bronze or black!   :unsure:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: JaneS on August 14, 2012, 21:29
That is SO cute!! Clever hen!
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: symonep on August 15, 2012, 12:28
Brilliant news!
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 15, 2012, 19:37
Well Dotty came off the 2 remaining eggs today.  I checked them and they were not fertile.   :(

I have found a home for 2 of the Bronze chicks as I would not have room for them all when they grow.  Still don't know what breed the yellow one is, I am waiting to hear from the breeder.   :unsure:

Now her sister Lotty has decided to go broody so I am undecided what eggs to get for her.  She has some of her own which may be fertile from the young light sussex bantam cockerels.  I don't want her to sit on them for weeks without a result so may just get a couple of fertile eggs to add to her clutch.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 15, 2012, 19:39
and one more.   :D

The little yellow chick had splayed leg so I have put a plaster splint on it.  It is standing really well now so will leave it on for a few days until it gets more strength in its leg muscles.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: agapanthus on August 15, 2012, 20:06
Turkey chicks are my favourite of all poultry chicks......they are so friendly! Will miss not having any this year :(
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: joyfull on August 15, 2012, 22:28
beautiful Anhbuc  :D.

Aggy do you and Karl not have any room for them where you are now? or is it too late to hatch any?
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: agapanthus on August 16, 2012, 08:59
beautiful Anhbuc  :D.

Aggy do you and Karl not have any room for them where you are now? or is it too late to hatch any?

We are not allowed to have anything here according to the landlord......we rented this property to be able to grow vegetables and have poultry and the estate agent told us that the landlord had agreed we could. http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=96902.msg1075542#msg1075542
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: JaK on August 16, 2012, 10:08
 :) They are so cute. I would love to have the room to raise a few here.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 16, 2012, 11:38
Such a shame you are having so much trouble Aggi, wish you could find somewhere nicer.

But I'm going off topic here. lovely turkey babies ANHBUC!
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 16, 2012, 12:04
Turkey chicks are my favourite of all poultry chicks......they are so friendly! Will miss not having any this year :(

So sorry to hear your housing troubles.  You can be their Aunty Aggy as I might will need advice on rearing from time to time.   :D
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: agapanthus on August 17, 2012, 12:11
Turkey chicks are my favourite of all poultry chicks......they are so friendly! Will miss not having any this year :(

So sorry to hear your housing troubles.  You can be their Aunty Aggy as I might will need advice on rearing from time to time.   :D

Aww...thank you!!!  8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 17, 2012, 13:04
If Aggy is going to be Aunty Aggy to your turkey poults, she will need regular photo's so she can see how they are getting on!!   :lol: :lol:

Also, if any of yours are boys, look out for them 'displaying'  The ones Brian has here were hatched Monday morning, and they are already walking round 'displaying'  they look so cute when they do it while they are tiny! 
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 17, 2012, 14:53
Thanks for that info GA I have never had turkey chicks so can only imagine what the display will look like!   :unsure:

Any ideas on the breed of the little yellow one?  I am still waiting to hear from the breeder who must be on holiday.  I have managed to rehome 2 of the bronze to a good home as a teaching aid for a disabled 8 year old boy.  :D   We are keeping the other bronze and yellow but don't know what it will turn out to be.  Hubby thought it was a duckling due to its colour until I pointed out its beak shape.   ::) :lol:  I think he tought I was trying to sneak in another breed without him knowing (didn't tell him about the turkey eggs).   :blush:

Will definately keep Aunty Aggy updated with photos.   :D
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 17, 2012, 16:19
It's probably a white one if its a meat turkey.  The ones we buy from Kelly's turkeys are called white plumpies, but this year Brian got just Kelly Bronze turkeys.

There are more decorative ones that they say you can eat like the Crollwitzers, which are white with black markings, but they are skinny things.

One of our white ones from the other year and a photo of 2 crollwitzers that we were asked to cull for someone.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 17, 2012, 16:29
That's what I thought but not sure if the breeder has any white ones.  They were meant to be Norfolk Black and it was the only fertile egg out of 3.  Possibly a bit late in the year for fertility!  I wonder if you can get an albino Norfolk Black!   :wacko:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 17, 2012, 17:14
Kelly's hatch between May and late September I think, so should still have been fertile.  Bit strange about the colouring then, unless like you said, perhaps its an albino??? lol

Just looked and Kelly's day olds are available until 17th September.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 17, 2012, 19:02
I did ring Kelly's as I had read your recommendations but they said they had no eggs available.

Do you expect yours that have hatched this week to be ready for Christmas?
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 17, 2012, 22:02
Well they are 2 weeks behind the others we got, but they all (30) had leg problems (splayed legs)

Couldn't think it was anything we had done as they were very quiet and lethargic when we bought them home.  Took 6 of them back to Kelly's on Monday and they gave us another 30 plus 10 extra because of our petrol costs.

They were brilliant about it, and called on Tuesday to say it looks like there was a problem in that particular hatching tray.  Kelly's know that we are experienced poultry keepers and I know what I'm talking about, and they know I wouldn't pull the wool over their eyes.

Anyway, I digress.  The bronzes we have now, should, with luck, reach oven ready weights of 6.6 kgs for the hens and 9kgs for the stags.  Fingers crossed all goes well.  But Brian isn't selling all these.  Apart from a few people he doesn't want to let down, these ones are for us and our families freezers.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 17, 2012, 22:40
 :(  Did you manage to sort the splayed legs out?  I found just doing the one yellow chick difficult, but it was the first time.  I can't imagine having to do 30.   :unsure:

That is good news about the turkey weights.  I have been reading up on Turkeys and was put off a bit by them saying that the meat would not be mature enough.  Would hate to do all the prep and then end up with the meat not being right.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 17, 2012, 22:55
Well if you think that Kelly's are selling day olds up until the middle of September, but it sounds like all their poults are spoken for, they will still be ready for Christmas.

When we lived in Essex, Brian used to keep 3 different ages.  He used to get growers then at 5 weeks. Beginning of August, beginning of September and beginning of October.

That way it was easier for him to sell turkeys as small, medium and large.

Most of the older poults I had to cull as they were really bad.  I tried hobbling them with the plasters as you have done, but as they are quite tall, they kept falling over and Brian would go in the shed in the morning to find a couple laying on their backs.  They could have been there all night like that.

And turkeys are, to quote from an article in the Country Smallholder magazine "A suicide waiting to happen"!  If these older ones done't get stronger soon, they will have to go too.

I know it sounds hard, but even healthy turkeys can get killed by their mates.  We had one once while we were out shopping who got its head stuck through the electric netting.  It wasn't electrified.  The others killed it when they saw it struggling.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 17, 2012, 23:24
 :(  That is so sad.

I have been lucky with 3 healthy chicks and one bandy one then.  Will see what it is like when I take the plaster off on Monday but it seem ok at the moment.  Hope it survives as I would love it to grow up to see what breed it is.  If it is a white would it be a heavier breed than the bronze?  Might have to get a bigger oven.   :ohmy:

Our eldest daughter came to see the chicks today and said she didn't want to see them any more.  I said when they grow up and are ugly she won't mind the thought of eating them.   :lol:

Other daughter is in the Artic at the moment so have had to send her photos.  Have just read eldest daughter message to her sister on Facebook "Mum has turkey chicks and is gona eat them!!!"
Her sisters reply "Too right, chomp!!"  well she is dating a Chef!   :lol:

Sisters but chalk and cheese.   
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: agapanthus on August 18, 2012, 00:37
Thanks for that info GA I have never had turkey chicks so can only imagine what the display will look like!   :unsure:

Any ideas on the breed of the little yellow one?  I am still waiting to hear from the breeder who must be on holiday.  I have managed to rehome 2 of the bronze to a good home as a teaching aid for a disabled 8 year old boy.  :D   We are keeping the other bronze and yellow but don't know what it will turn out to be.  Hubby thought it was a duckling due to its colour until I pointed out its beak shape.   ::) :lol:  I think he tought I was trying to sneak in another breed without him knowing (didn't tell him about the turkey eggs).   :blush:

Will definately keep Aunty Aggy updated with photos.   :D





 :D :D :D :D
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 18, 2012, 13:14
:(  That is so sad.

I have been lucky with 3 healthy chicks and one bandy one then.  Will see what it is like when I take the plaster off on Monday but it seem ok at the moment.  Hope it survives as I would love it to grow up to see what breed it is.  If it is a white would it be a heavier breed than the bronze?  Might have to get a bigger oven.   :ohmy:

Our eldest daughter came to see the chicks today and said she didn't want to see them any more.  I said when they grow up and are ugly she won't mind the thought of eating them.   :lol:

Other daughter is in the Artic at the moment so have had to send her photos.  Have just read eldest daughter message to her sister on Facebook "Mum has turkey chicks and is gona eat them!!!"
Her sisters reply "Too right, chomp!!"  well she is dating a Chef!   :lol:

Sisters but chalk and cheese.   

This is the first time we have ever had turkey poults with splayed legs.  All the others over the years have been fine.  You get the odd weakling, but they usually die the first night.  If you can get them over the first month, they are very hardy birds, but yours are different as they were hatched by a broody rather than in an incubator.

Our white ones grow to a similar size to the bronzes, but your oven should be fine, even if you can't fit any roast potatoes in too!! lol

I can never understand people who say to us, 'oh I don't know how you can eat them after looking after them since they were hatched'.  But we would rather eat something that has had a good life here and tastes good, rather than the tasteless commercially grown stuff which you have no idea of the sort of life they've had.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 18, 2012, 22:25
I totally agree with you there.

Had a scare with the little yellow one today.  It was stumbling and didn't look at all well.  We brought it in the house and gave it some water via syringe.  Took the plaster off its legs to see if it could stand on its own.  It just seemed tired and possibly cold.  We put it back in with its Mum plus a heated bean bag wrapped in a towel.  We had to go out for a few hours and expected it to be worse or dead when we got back.  It made a good recovery but it still looks different to the bronze which is racing around and very strong.  It was eating and drinking this afternoon and very vocal.  Fingers crossed it was just a blip, not looking forward to checking in the morning.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: agapanthus on August 19, 2012, 00:07
"I can never understand people who say to us, 'oh I don't know how you can eat them after looking after them since they were hatched'.  But we would rather eat something that has had a good life here and tastes good, rather than the tasteless commercially grown stuff which you have no idea of the sort of life they've had"

My thoughts precisely Annie.....although I still have'nt got the bottle to do it myself!!  :blush:.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 19, 2012, 11:53
I know you haven't got the 'bottle' to cull them yourself, but you do cook and eat them, and appreciate it!  :)

I don't like culling, and will only do sick and injured birds.  I leave the rest to Brian!!!!  xx
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 19, 2012, 17:27
Haven't got the option of passing the task on to my hubby as I don't think he could eat it after.  Have started small with a quail, then a couple of bantam cockerels.  Have another 2 that are on death row if they don't keep quiet!!   :wub:

Just working my way up but think I will need a dispatcher for a turkey as have only used a broom handle up to now.

Yellow chick seems fine today, still not as strong as the bronze but doing well.  Was thinking of calling them Bootsy (yellow) and Snudge (bronze).  Won't affect me wanting to eat them when they are big enough though.   ::) :lol:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 19, 2012, 21:13
I don't have that problem as Brian is a licensed poultry slaguhterman, but it seems that any sick or injured poultry is my responsibility!

I keep reminding him though that it was HIM who wanted to be a poultry farmer, not me, I wanted to be a nursery person!   :)

The wall mounted dispatcher that we got from Ascott's is good if this is something you will be doing on a fairly regular basis.  Joyfull has one now, and she loves it.  So much quicker than broom handles!

The only thing with using them with turkeys, is that because they are hard to hold with one hand and the dispatcher with the other hand, you really need 2 people.

http://ascott-dairy.co.uk/acatalog/Poultry_Processing_.html    (third item down!)
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 20, 2012, 13:17
I did wonder about that.  I suppose if the dispatcher is fixed just above a bench it may be possible to lay the bird down and do the deed.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 20, 2012, 13:20
On a lighter note, a couple more pictures as promised Aunty Aggy.   :D
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 20, 2012, 13:23
 They both had a little explore with Mum today when I cleaned out their hutch.  Bootsy is loads stronger and no longer bandy.  Snudge is like a little Tazmanian devil jumping everywhere and quite skittish.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 20, 2012, 14:43
Awww they are lovely!

The bench idea is a good one.  you could wrap an old towel or something around its wings to stop them flapping, as they are powerful, and can hurt!  :) :)
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 20, 2012, 15:01
I usually use a towel when giving meds or treatment to my hens.  It does relax them and makes treatment easier.  Especially when treating legs as their claws are really strong.

I learnt the hard way when trying to treat our cat!   ::)
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 20, 2012, 17:08
More photos, chicks first outings.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 20, 2012, 17:08
Dotty really enjoyed the sunshine.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 20, 2012, 17:09
Look closely behind Bootsy for the froglet Dotty had supplied. 
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 20, 2012, 17:11
Can't beat a broody for showing the chicks what is what.  Made my afternoon.  They were none too happy when I put them back in the safety of their hutch!   ::)
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 20, 2012, 17:15
Not wishing to be pedantic if that's the right word, but they are poults, not chicks   ;) :)

Can't wait to let ours out when they are a bit older.  Good job the weather is nice, as turkey poults need to be kept warmer than chicks when they are little.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 20, 2012, 17:26
Thanks for the correction GA, in my defense I did say it was my first time for raising turkeys.  :blink:

Yes it was too hot for me, even sat under the sun brollie.  I have a 6' x 4' shed ready for them on colder days.  Will be picking up a heat lamp tomorrow as Dotty will be too small to keep them warm in a couple of weeks.

How long do you recommend them to be kept under heat/broody.  I have read 8 weeks but will bow to your first hand knowledge.   :)
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 20, 2012, 22:13
At this time of the year, as long as the weather is nice, we will try them out at 4-5 weeks, but if it was during the winter, then we'd wait until 6-7.

Saying that, some are kept indoors all their lives!  Poor things.

Take the heat off during the day at 4 weeks, but if the evenings are cool, put it on overnight for another couple of weeks.  They will tell you if they are too cold, they will crowd together under the centre of the lamp, but if too warm, you will find them in the corners of the shed.

Talking about corners, poults can get frightened quite easily and if spooked will run to the corners and if they all run to the same corner, they can ry to pile on top of each other and suffocate the one on the bottom.  

As you only have a few, that is less likely than when we had 150 of them!  :ohmy: but its a good idea to round off the corners a bit.  We use hardboard screwed into the walls of the shed, so that if they do get spooked, there is not 'corner' to run into.

It's different for you having Dotty help raise them, but when we've had a lot of poults, they had a BIG brooder ring and gas heating.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 20, 2012, 23:12
What a great set up.  Bet it didn't stay clean very long!  :unsure:

I have some lino type flooring that I can use as a brooder ring but as you say with just 2 they should be alright.  Thanks for the advice Oh knowledgeable one.   :D
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 20, 2012, 23:19
lol, only knowledgeable because I've been there, done it and they pooped on the T shirt!!   :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 20, 2012, 23:23
The size of the poos when they get bigger is something I am not looking forward to!   :blink:  and of course the smell that goes with it.    :wacko:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: agapanthus on August 20, 2012, 23:27
Awww....they are really beautiful!! ( Especially loving the white one)  :D :D :D :D
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: agapanthus on August 20, 2012, 23:29
The size of the poos when they get bigger is something I am not looking forward to!   :blink:  and of course the smell that goes with it.    :wacko:

They can be a bit stinky!!!
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 20, 2012, 23:50
Awww....they are really beautiful!! ( Especially loving the white one)  :D :D :D :D

Bootsy is the colour of a little lemon duckling, just looks white on the photos.  Still a mystery what breed it is even its neck and legs don't seem as long as the Snudge the little bronze poult (see I was paying attention GrannieAnnie do I get a gold star?)   :lol:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 21, 2012, 00:09
Awww....they are really beautiful!! ( Especially loving the white one)  :D :D :D :D

Bootsy is the colour of a little lemon duckling, just looks white on the photos.  Still a mystery what breed it is even its neck and legs don't seem as long as the Snudge the little bronze poult (see I was paying attention GrannieAnnie do I get a gold star?)   :lol:

Of course!

http://www.jms101.btinternet.co.uk/basic_sets/gold/star_subtle_lrg/cool.gif

Well that didn't work!   :(

Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 21, 2012, 13:12
 :D  I can see it if I click on the link, thank you.   :D
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 21, 2012, 13:40
 :lol: :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 21, 2012, 15:46
Have got the shed set up with the heat lamp ready for chilly times.  Just finished putting Dotty, Bootsy and Snudge in their new accommodation and the heavens have opened. 
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 21, 2012, 16:35
Awww hope they grow well for you ANHBUC!

Will you be okay do the 'deed' when its time do you think?  turkeys can grow on you.

They may look stupid, but they are very intelligent birds.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on August 21, 2012, 17:25
I think I should be ok, I had to cull 2 cockerels this morning after they started to crow at 5.45am.  I had tried bringing their brothers indoors overnight which worked but the smell was unbearable.  So have them hanging in a covered laundry basket with ice packs in the base in the Garage.  Will be dressing them in a couple of days and looking up a recipe for Chicken Casserole with white wine that I haven't done in years. 

I will have to invest in the wall mounted dispatcher but will wait a little longer until they are off heat.  Of course if I can find someone else to cull and dress them locally I would be daft not to pass the buck!   ::) :lol:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on September 04, 2012, 16:01
3 weeks old now, how they have grown.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on September 04, 2012, 16:03
 :)  nearly as big as step mum
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on September 04, 2012, 16:07
Awww, they are doing well!
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on September 04, 2012, 16:09
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.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on September 04, 2012, 16:13
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
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: Aunt Sally on September 04, 2012, 16:18
How many turkeys is BRIAN raising this year, Ann ?
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on September 04, 2012, 16:19
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.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on September 04, 2012, 16:53
How many turkeys is BRIAN raising this year, Ann ?

53!  :lol:

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!!!    :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: New shoot on September 04, 2012, 17:15
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  :lol:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on September 05, 2012, 11:14
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.   :D
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: agapanthus on September 05, 2012, 12:50
They really are GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on September 16, 2012, 13:30
They really are GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

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.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on September 16, 2012, 13:33
Hubby can't believe how quickly they are growing as he only sees them on a weekend.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on September 16, 2012, 15:25
Are they taller than Mum yet or about the same?  They are doing well aren't they?
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on September 16, 2012, 19:17
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?
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: symonep on September 16, 2012, 21:23
Oh my, it's the incredible growing turkey  :D
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: New shoot on September 18, 2012, 09:24
They are looking very good  :)  Can see the day approaching when gangly teenage turkey turns round to mum and says 'or what'  :lol:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on September 18, 2012, 09:34
They are looking very good  :)  Can see the day approaching when gangly teenage turkey turns round to mum and says 'or what'  :lol:

 :lol:

Our big hens have had the odd peck at them so I'm waiting to see pay back time!!   :ohmy:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: New shoot on September 18, 2012, 10:04
You'll have to see how brave they grow up to be  ;) A bit of lip to mum is one thing, but tackling one of the big hens  :unsure:

At my old job the garden centre used to get a visiting farm in regularly - half terms, red suited jovial man's arrival each year, that sort of thing. They used to bring a stonking great male turkey who would parade around displaying to anyone who watched  :lol:

They had to keep him out loose as if he went in the pen with the bantams, they would bully him   :lol:  :lol:  :lol:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: agapanthus on September 18, 2012, 11:44
They really are getting a spurt on!! Just wait....in a few weeks they'll be roosting in the trees!!!  8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on September 18, 2012, 15:37
They really are getting a spurt on!! Just wait....in a few weeks they'll be roosting in the trees!!!  8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

That's why I'm glad they still want their Mum for the time being Aggy.  How old do they have to be before I can wing clip?  All our bushes and trees are on our boundry so I don't want them visiting the neighbours!  :ohmy: :lol:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on September 18, 2012, 15:39
You'll have to see how brave they grow up to be  ;) A bit of lip to mum is one thing, but tackling one of the big hens  :unsure:

At my old job the garden centre used to get a visiting farm in regularly - half terms, red suited jovial man's arrival each year, that sort of thing. They used to bring a stonking great male turkey who would parade around displaying to anyone who watched  :lol:

They had to keep him out loose as if he went in the pen with the bantams, they would bully him   :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

 :lol:
I was hoping they would keep my hens in line, fat chance of that then.   ::)  
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on September 19, 2012, 14:52
I think if I watched them for long enough I would be able to see them growing.  They are getting bigger every day. 
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: agapanthus on September 19, 2012, 18:53
I don't really remember how old they were but they were fairly large....probably around 3 or 4 months when they started to roost in a huge tree and Karl got fed up of trying to get them down!  ;)
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on September 19, 2012, 19:59
Snudge flew out of the shed today and over a 30" mesh fence panel which was across the doorway.  Boosty seems to be the dumb blonde and hasn't worked out as much so just paced up and down the mesh panel calling to Dotty.   ::) :lol:

Will have to clip one wing as soon as they are not following Dotty any more unless I can train them with treats.   :wub:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on September 29, 2012, 19:42
Think it is time to wing clip!!!  Spent nearly an hour with Bootsy in a pet carrier trying to track down Snudge who had flown around 60 feet and over a 10 feet tall bush into a neighbours garden.   ::)  Bootsy was calling and Snudge was calling back but we couldn't work out where he was.  All our neighbours at the back were out so it was a nightmare trying to get access to find him.  We ended up back in our garden with Bootsy and eventually Snudge came to the calling at the other side of our fence.  Then hubby had to get over the 6 ft fence to catch him.

I think that something must have spooked them, there was a black cat taking an interest this morning.  They were enclosed with Omlet netting but had managed to get out through the larger netting higher up.

They will have to stay in their shed tomorrow until I have researched how to wing clip turkey poults.  Bet they will sleep well tonight.   :lol:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: Franceska on October 02, 2012, 14:47
Oh they are sweet little darlings!  Makes want to have a go at it if one of my hens goes broody!  Just lovely.  That little white one, is it a turkey too?
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on October 02, 2012, 14:52
Oh they are sweet little darlings!  Makes want to have a go at it if one of my hens goes broody!  Just lovely.  That little white one, is it a turkey too?

Yes, it is a Pied and is just starting to get some black markings on its feathers. 

Have managed to clip one of each of their wings so hopefully no more exploring other peoples gardens.   ::) :lol:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on October 11, 2012, 15:02
They do seem to have a death wish as GA said "And turkeys are, to quote from an article in the Country Smallholder magazine "A suicide waiting to happen"! "  They have got into more scrapes in their 8 weeks than all my hens put together in their 2 years.  They are freeranging and I check on them regularly but Snudge still managed to get wedged between my quail ark and a sheet of plywood which is used as a windbreak.  When I rescued Snudge and put it on the grass it was walking with its legs crossed for a while!   :wacko:  I wondered why Boosty wasn't at Snudges side and couldn't see where he was.  Normally Bootsy is very vocal when not in sight of Snudge or Dotty.  Dotty was sat on top of a coop and not bothered.  I listened out and could hear a faint call coming from our pond.  Sure enough Bootsy had ventured into the fenced off area and tried to eat some of the pond marginal plants and got stuck.  Legs were in the water and body in the plants.  He was very cold when I fished him out but was none the worse once dried off.

Now they have started to either practice their mating dance or are establishing a pecking order.  Bootsy (pied) is doing a sort of mating dance and Snudge (bronze) is cowering and dancing round Boosty.  Then Bootsy is pecking and grabbing Snudges head.  No blood drawn as yet.  I put Snudge back in the turkey shed and Boosty started doing the baby "peep, peep, peep" call.  Such funny behaviour for 8 week old birds, it is making me dizzy watching them.  Not sure if I am cut out to be a turkey keeper!   :unsure:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: New shoot on October 11, 2012, 15:23
Odd they are so different from chickens.  

Do you think it is because they just have a much shorter history of being domesticated  :unsure:  After all, the other fowl like chucks. ducks and geese have been farmyard critters for centuries, but turkeys were hunted as wild game before the white settlers reached america and anyone thought of farming them  :)
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on October 11, 2012, 15:38
I don't know, they are so child like apart from the mating/dancing/fighting.  When Dotty had bantam chicks she decided they were big enough to look after themselves at this age.  She is still with the turkeys and they go mental when they can't see her! 

Bootsy also likes chasing my 2 young Welsummer bantams and after the displaying today he might think they are fair game!!!   :unsure:

We were meant to be having a big family dinner this 25th December but that has now been cancelled as our daughter will be going to Oban from the Artic and not home.  They might end up being Easter turkeys, that is if they last that long with their antics.   :lol:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on October 11, 2012, 16:01
Don't keep them alive until Easter, they may be a bit tough.  Better to cull in Dec/Jan and freeze!

I had a customer 2 years ago who bought 2 of our turkeys.  One was supposed to be for Christmas and the other one was for easter, but her Mum was taken ill, so they had to freeze both of them!  :lol:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on October 11, 2012, 17:33
Don't keep them alive until Easter, they may be a bit tough.  Better to cull in Dec/Jan and freeze!

I had a customer 2 years ago who bought 2 of our turkeys.  One was supposed to be for Christmas and the other one was for easter, but her Mum was taken ill, so they had to freeze both of them!  :lol:

They are only 8 weeks old now GA so when would you say would be the best time to cull for optimum meat that is at its best?
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on October 11, 2012, 18:54
8 weeks?  I thought they were the same age as our youngest ones which are 10 weeks now.  They will only be 19 weeks old by Christmas, but they were the replacement ones we got when so many of the others had the splayed legs.

I don't really know what breed yours are, but the commercial turkeys are optimum between 21 and 26 weeks.  If yours are a more traditional breed, then maybe slightly older?  But not by months, you want them nice and tender!

Like this!   ;) ;)

Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on October 11, 2012, 20:21
They hatched 14 August so 8 weeks and 3 days old.  Bootsy is a (male?) Pied and Snudge is a (female?) Bronze.  They will be 19 weeks old on 25 December so they should be fine for the New Year then.

I will be pleased as punch if they are as nice as yours GA.   :D
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on October 11, 2012, 22:28
Mmmmm, looking them up, you could get some good weights from them!  According to the Turkey Club of Great Britain, the pied stag could be between 16 and 22 lbs and the bronze hen between 14 and 26lbs!

Yummy!!!!!

That photo is of one of our White Plumpies.  Your bronze one won't look as 'clean' as that because there will always be little bits of stubble left which is more noticeable on coloured birds, but don't worry about it, she will still taste wonderful!  

Oh and you're right of course.  I thought ours were 10 and 12 weeks, but they aren't, they are 8 and 10!!!!!
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on October 11, 2012, 22:38
I am hoping they will let Dotty off her parental duties soon.  I will be able to get them more used to me then instead of just seeing me as something to run from.  I have managed to get Snudge to feed from my hand but not Bootsy.  They are not scared of our hens either they seem to hold their own.

Thinking of the stuffing and cranberry sauce already.  I need a good recipe for home made stuffing if anyone has one?
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on October 11, 2012, 22:39
So will the younger ones be ready in time for 25 December then GA?
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on October 11, 2012, 23:48
Well they won't be at their optimum weight, but as ours are really only for us and family, it doesn't really matter.

In fact one is going to an American who has had a thanksgiving turkey off us for the past 4 years.  So I will just pick out the biggest one I can find for him, but it only needs to feed about 6 people. 

He missed out last year when Brian sold all the turkeys at about the age these ones are now, and the poor man ended up in T**co!   :( :(
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on October 12, 2012, 00:25
He missed out last year when Brian sold all the turkeys at about the age these ones are now, and the poor man ended up in T**co!   :( :(

That might be me if they keep trying to self distruct!   ::) :lol:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on October 12, 2012, 13:07
Ahhh, self destruct!  Yep that's turkeys alright!  What was it I read recently, turkeys are a suicide waiting to happen?    Oh yes!   And you said about them being childlike, they are, but don't underestimate them, they are very intelligent too!

Do you sing to them?  ours used to like me singing to them, even though I can't sing very well, and I used to try to imitate the noises they make.  But as they get older, when you've got quite a few like we had, they don't get too friendly.

But then you don't want to get too attached to them, or they won't be on the table, they'll be sitting on a chair next to you waiting for their dinner!!   :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on October 12, 2012, 13:48
Do you sing to them?  ours used to like me singing to them, even though I can't sing very well, and I used to try to imitate the noises they make. 

If I sang to them they would definitely try to commit suicide.   ::)  My singing voice is that bad I only sing in the car when I am on my own.  Oh, and when hubby is in the car if I want to annoy him!   :lol:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on October 15, 2012, 16:28
They are really making themselves at home now! 
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on October 15, 2012, 17:05
Awww they are really getting on aren't they?

Forgot to ask, what are you feeding them on?  They shouldn't be on chicken food, but turkey grower by now. or rather rearer until 10 weeks then on to grower.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on October 15, 2012, 18:37
I couldn't get turkey rearer so they have been on a mix of turkey chick crumb and turkey grower.  They eat loads of bugs in the garden and are so entertaining watching them stalk their prey.  Bootsy strokes the grass with his beak to get the bugs to fly off and then snatches them like a velociraptor. 

Hubby thinks they are really ugly so I said that he won't mind when its time for them to be dinner then!!   :ohmy:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on October 15, 2012, 21:05
Oh good at least they are not on chicken food!  Which apparently has too much calcium in it so I read earlier.

Yes, they are a bit ugly, remind me of vultures.  But don't let agapanthus read this, she thinks turkeys are beautiful!   ;)
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: Willow_Warren on October 16, 2012, 12:29

Hubby thinks they are really ugly so I said that he won't mind when its time for them to be dinner then!!   :ohmy:

I think I'd have to agree with him there  :lol:

They do seem to be growing amazingly quickly!

H :)
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on November 15, 2012, 11:48
Our next door neighbour kindly looked after our chickens and turkeys at the weekend and her daughter didn't believe they were the little chicks she had seen only 12 weeks ago.   :lol:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: New shoot on November 15, 2012, 21:15
Wow they really have grown  :D  Have you managed to prise them away from Dotty yet?
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on November 16, 2012, 10:58
Wow they really have grown  :D  Have you managed to prise them away from Dotty yet?

I took Dotty out of their run a couple of days ago as Bootsy (stag) was chasing her around like a hormonal teenager.  She is so tiny I thought she might get squashed in the excitement. 

She is now in with 2, 30 week old Welsummer bantams and 9 week old Welsummer LF male and female chicks.  Her sister Lotty is in the next enclosure with her 10 week old Partridge Wyandotte/Light Sussex bantam cross.  I am reintroducing Lotty and Dotty to each other carefully as they usually fight (to the death if not parted) when they have young chicks.

Bootsy and Snudge know where Dotty is and spend most of the day along the fence closest to her.  They do call to her which is upsetting but they are big and ugly enough now to look after themselves.   :lol:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: New shoot on November 16, 2012, 20:37
They really are big babies still calling to mum at their age  :lol:  Sure they will settle down after a few days  :)
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on November 17, 2012, 10:18
Snudge decided to explore my neighbours shed roof and was eyeing up her garden.  I couldn't chase her down without her going the wrong way.  Quick thinking and I chased Bootsy into their shed and he promptly started to call for help.  Snudge got down off the roof quickly and back in the shed.  Trimmed her wing again but don't know if it will stop her as she is lighter than Bootsy and more agile.   ::)

Last week our neighbour was looking after them and got back a little late to find Snudge and Dotty asleep on the shed roof.   :ohmy:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on December 11, 2012, 16:46
Just weighed Bootsy 10 1/4 lbs and Snudge 8 lbs so they have some way to go before they are a decent weight.  Christmas dinner is being postponed until January when our youngest daughter will be home (hopefully with her chef boyfriend)!   :blink:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on December 19, 2012, 23:23
Hope they put on  bit more weight for you ANHBUC.  What are you feeding them at the moment?

Brian culled ours over the last 2 days.  They are 18 weeks old.  The smallest hen was 6kgs and the  largest stag 9kgs.  Quite pleased at that. 

But an acquaintance that had a few of our poults off heat brought his over yesterday for Brian to cull and prepare for him.  Goodness knows what he's been feeding them on, but they weighed between 4kgs and 5.5kgs.  They were from the same hatch as ours.

He has a business in London and his wife has to look after them during the week.  she is a vegetarian and hates looking after the animals for him and we don't think she's been feeding them much, plus he told Brian they've been eating a lot of wheat and maize, but no mention of anything with any protein in it!   Poor things.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on December 19, 2012, 23:49
I am changing them over to finishers at the moment.  Most advice I have read said to do it over weeks 17/18.  I am sure they will put more weight on but they are really active.  They love dancing around and flying a little (I have clipped one wing).  The wings grow really quickly so I have to do it every couple of weeks.

You are making me really jealous.  I wish I had hatched mine earlier but I had to wait for Dotty to go broody.  Never mind they will taste just as good in the New Year.

I will try and weigh them again to see how much they have put on in the last week.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on December 20, 2012, 13:10
Ours were day old on 13th August, so not much difference in age to yours, but remember, ours are meat turkeys.

Snudge looks very much like those Crollwitzers we processed for that young woman.  She will never be huge if she is at least part Crollwitzer.  Don't know how you got that egg though if the breeders don't do that breed   ???

I know the internet says different things, but as yours, like ours were younger, they should have gone on to finisher earlier.  Most commercial turkeys are around 21-22 weeks when they are culled, so we are not far behind.  Ours went on to finisher about 4 weeks ago.  

This guide from Heygates is similar to what we do.

http://www.heygatesfeeds.co.uk/PoultryFeeds/Turkeyfeedrates.aspx

And this one from Masseyfeeds

http://www.masseyfeeds.co.uk/turkey_feed_guidlines.htm

So they all say to go on to finisher around 10 weeks
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on December 20, 2012, 18:53
It is confusing with conflicting info on the net. 

Snudge is the bronze hen and Bootsy is the crollwitzer stag so he should be a fairly decent weight.  The breeder did breed them but didn't know how he got them mixed up.

How many weeks should I keep them on finishers before culling?   
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on December 20, 2012, 22:46
We usually put ours on plain wheat or mixed corn about 4 days before culling, but stop feeding for the last 24 hours to avoid a crop full of yucky food.  Still give them water though.

Sometimes if the crop is full of food, and the crop isn't taken out properly, you gets bits of food all over the place.  Much cleaner when the crop doesn't have much in it.

I think the professionals feed finisher to the last though.

Brian has his faults, but he does know how to do all the killing and processing properly!

Sorry, I thought the darker one was the stag.  Hopefully he will gain a bit more weight for you.  Just having a 'google' and one website reckons the pied crollwitzer stags reach between 16 and 28lbs, but that is live weight I suppose.  oven ready you can take off around 25-30% of that what with the bones, feathers and guts.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on December 20, 2012, 23:06
Thanks for the info GA I am sure I will have more questions nearer the culling time.  My wall mounted dispatcher arrived today but the instructions are all but unreadable.  >:( I will have to email them and ask for a readable copy.  I would hate to use it and not have it set up right.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on December 20, 2012, 23:13
I have the little screw on my wall mounted one screwed almost all the way in, just leaving enough room for the skin of the neck.  that way you get a clean break, sometimes the skin breaks and you get some blood, but I would rather that than mess the job up.  Afterwards it is good to slit the throat and bleed them out.  If you don't, you can get blood build up in the breasts and it taints the meat.

will hubby help you?  I wouldn't like to do a turkey with the wall mounted dispatcher on my own, luckily, Brian uses his electric stunner, so I only use mine for poorly chooks.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on December 20, 2012, 23:26
Hubby thinks they are really ugly and I don't think he could stomach culling.  I am going to mount the dispatcher on our wood work bench in the garage.  I will wrap the turkey in a towel and then lay it on the bench.  I was used to wrapping up our old cat to give her tablets as she was really feisty. 

Hubby has a bike stand he made for repairing his mountain bike and it is ideal for hanging the birds.  I just put a bucket under their heads when I did the cockerels.   :blink:

I will have a practice with some carrots or parsnips to make sure I have it set up right.
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on December 20, 2012, 23:36
LOL, guillotined carrots!!
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on December 30, 2012, 13:10
Just weighed Bootsy 10 1/4 lbs and Snudge 8 lbs so they have some way to go before they are a decent weight.  Christmas dinner is being postponed until January when our youngest daughter will be home (hopefully with her chef boyfriend)!   :blink:

Bootsy is now 12 3/4 lbs so has put on 2 1/2 lbs but Snudge is only 8 1/4 lbs only 1/4 lb heavier.  She is a lot more flighty so she must be burning up the fat.  At this rate I would have to wait until next Christmas for her to put enough weight on!!   :wub:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: symonep on December 30, 2012, 18:07
Bootsy puts on weight at the same speed i do!  :blush:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: New shoot on December 30, 2012, 18:37
I think the brains of that particular duo may well be found in Snudge by the sound of it :lol:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on December 31, 2012, 15:58
I think she would make a great Aerobics teacher.   :D
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: New shoot on December 31, 2012, 16:28
See now I just have a vision of Snudge in legwarmers at the front of a class of hefty old laying hens, saying 'Come on ladies - stretch those drumsticks   :lol:  That's just not fair  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on January 01, 2013, 15:08
 :blink:  I was thinking of doing some knitting this year.  That could be my first project together with a sweat band for her head.   :D
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on January 20, 2013, 14:59
Well the cold snowy weather has not helped them put much weight on.  Todays weigh in has Bootsy at 14 1/2 lbs and Snudge 9 1/2 lbs.  They will be 24 weeks old this week so I don't think I can leave them much longer before culling them.  I don't want to end up with tough meat. 

Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on January 20, 2013, 15:05
Just remember to cook them like real meat.  Longer cooking on a lower heat.  I usually do my poultry breast down until nearly done, then breast up for last 10-15 minutes to crisp up the breast.

That way the juices soak through into the breast meat and you don't end up keep basting it.

They are not bad weights ANHBUC.  The chap turkeys that Brian culled and dressed for a chap we know, looked more like pigeons.  He works away all week and his wife hadn't been feeding them properly!  :(
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on January 20, 2013, 15:10
What is the oldest I can leave them for before culling?  I have looked in my books and online and there doesn't seem to be any answers.  It does say the bronze hens can start laying at around 28 weeks.  If I left it that long I would be tempted to breed them!!!   ::) :lol:

Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: splash101 on January 20, 2013, 15:47
Who was the chap that Brian culled  :ohmy:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on January 20, 2013, 16:11
Ooops, should have read that bit before posting! lol

Slight modification done!   :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on February 20, 2013, 11:40
Well no turkeys in the garden but plenty in the freezer.  Culling wasn't as bad as I imagined for a big bird.  Wrapping them in a towel and then securing that with some sports bandage meant no flapping.  They were very calm wrapped up which was easier as they were heavy.

Plucking is a job and a half, especially tail and wing feathers.  Nice cold weather meant hanging them for a few days in the garage was ideal.  As we didn't want the birds whole the butchering was also harder with a bigger boned bird.

Well worth it in the end though, we have roasted the smaller breast crown.  This made 4 dinners, then some in a huge omlet, more in a tomato and roast garlic sauce and finally a couple of turkey, stuffing and cranberry sandwiches.

Our freezer is finally being used properly and will probably be used for some meat chickens and possibly duck in the future.  Just waiting on Lotty to go broody to buy in some Ross Cobb or Hubbard hatching eggs.  Any advice on the better of the 2 breeds would be appreciated, I am favouring the Hubbard at the moment.   ;)
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on February 20, 2013, 13:30
We prefer the hubbards to the Ross's.  Ross's chicks seemed to be getting smaller.

Pleased all your processing went well, and you now have some lovely turkey in your freezer!

1 dozen this year is it?   ;) ;)
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on February 20, 2013, 14:58
Most of the searching I have done says hubbard so will probably go for them.  What age did you find they were ready for culling?  Lotty is not laying at the moment so will put a few eggs in her nest box to encourage her to go broody.

We have 1 1/2 turkeys in the freezer as we only used one breast crown.  Have kept the neck and other bits for soup stock as well.

No room for a dozen but if we do get more this year will make sure we get the eggs a lot earlier.

Have you had any experience with Muscovy ducks GA?
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: Sparkyrog on February 20, 2013, 15:01
I kept muscovies for a while they are characters lol :D
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on February 20, 2013, 15:14
I kept muscovies for a while they are characters lol :D

Bit concerned about them flying as we only have a large garden.  Had to clip one wing on the turkeys every other week after one flew into a neighbours garden!   ::)

Did you have them as meat birds as well sparkyrog?
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: Sparkyrog on February 20, 2013, 15:23
yes I kept them for meat and eggs and never rushed them it doesn't pay . they are good flyers  :) if you can find them I suggest you look for the white and lavender coloured ones ,the stubby bits don't show so much after picking .they are easy to tame and quite friendly birds I found . one problem though is if you have geese the drake will chase your lady geese at "that" time of year as they are related !! but my gander never chased the ducks in the same manner .
Title: Re: Dotty has hatched some turkey eggs
Post by: ANHBUC on February 20, 2013, 15:53
Thanks for the colour tip I hadn't thought of that sparkyrog.   :)