First Time Turkeys

[canesisters]

I think that they are, let's say, more ruled by instinct than some others.

 

[897tgigvib]

Perhaps... a person could wonder if even at our highest levels of thought, ripples upon the water of the most sublime loving altruism, even this may be instinct.

We have lots of wild turkeys around here. Beautiful and large bodied birds!

 

[catjac1975]

A friend of ours who often raised turkeys told us in an interesting tale of his turkeys in a thunderstorm. They ran to a corner in fear and looked up to the sky with their mouths open and drowned. Sounds like a tall tale to me.

 

[897tgigvib]

I like tall tales! Are there more tall stories about turkeys? The more elaboration the better!!!

 

[RidgebackRanch]

Just finished a new brooder for the turkeys. Since we are getting 25 Marans in May I thought to make big enough them as well.

No hinges on the lid yet, I'm out of them and with today's blizzard I can wait a day or two.

It's 53" Lx24"Hx35"D all made with free scrap lumber a fun project for a very snowy day!

 

[thistlebloom]

That sure is a good looking brooder Ridgeback!

 

[RidgebackRanch]

Thanks Thistle, the roads are finally clear enough to get to the hardware store for some hinges. I think I'm going to split the lid and put hinges at both ends so there is at least half coverage for cleaning time.

They sure are growing fast and love to run and jump/fly!

 

[peteyfoozer]

I have 4 little turkeys for the first time also, this year. 3 of them are already 'strutting' at 10 days old, dragging their wing tips along on the ground while one smaller one, hovers in the corner. I think that is the only little hen. These guys are so curious they are funny! I put my hand down there and they all run to see what it is. They aren't fond of being picked up, but i do it everyday anyway as I want them to be nice. There was an adult turkey on our family ranch that was so mean no one could even get out of their pick up truck if he was around. I'm worried about them getting 'blackhead' disease from our chickens so they are pretty much staying on 'virgin'ground. They will be in a separate pasture from the meaties, living with the sheep and cows. If all goes well and we like it, we'll be looking for some Kentucky Bourbons to find a breeding pair. Nothing like home raised meat...except maybe home raised veggies...and milk...

 

[Jared77]

Ive been caring for the neighbors livestock while she's away for a few days. Horses? No problem. Sheep? No problem. Chickens? No problem, she's even got a good roo living in there he's social and not threatened by me. He watched me and he'll do his rooster duties both keeping the flock safe and bred, but he's not attacking me at all. I like him. Her trio of Narragansett turkeys? A pain in the rear. The hens can kind of fly so they roost in the tree and will fly down in the AM into the chicken run or they fly down and roam the property. So I have to grab them and put them up so they are not coyote food. The tom gets all stressed out and will attack the gate when you go to put his girls back. Go in to feed/water them? Oh that sneaky thing will wait till your bent over to take the lid off the feeder then he flies into your shoulder knocking you down then will try to fly up on you as your trying up. I caught him after knocking me down the first time and threw him away from me. If it had been my tom I'd be looking for another tom!

I quickly learned if your facing him he won't attack he'll just puff up and act tough. Turn your back and he'll try to get ya. So after going through all this and then going inside to turn the eggs in the incubator I found the note that said the tom doesn't like men. He tolerates women fine but he'll fly up on a man. Figures!

 

[MontyJ]

I'm liking that brooder Ridge! I may copy you I can't do turkeys though. I mentioned it to DW and the voices in her head were quite clear