I have raised chickens for a long time. But I am thinking to get some turkeys now, too.
The heritage breeds have been suggested, but I am told they will fly.
As we have wild turkeys in the fields, too, I am worried the domestic ones might take off to go with them if not restricted.
Any ideas of which would be the best breeds for me to get? Which might stay contained and not take off? Or how I can restrict them?
Thanks.
Turkeys
Welcome to the forum!!! I have some friends and they have royal palms. They are beautiful and very friendly. I would think your breed might be determined by your reason for having them. The royal palm is a smaller turkey so maybe not what you'd want if being raised for meat. Good luck to you and hope you enjoy the forum...Haystack
Most of the people on the forum with turkeys had the opposite problem....the turkeys were always coming up and roosting on the porch and making a mess. They seemed to be real homebodies.
I've done both heritage and broad breasted. I much prefer the broad brested. They come in the spring and are in the freezer by fall. My Narragansettes were a pain in the butt. They did indeed fly and roosted where I didn't want. When the Tom started chasing cars in the street, it was the last straw. One of the hens ran off with the wild turkeys and still comes in occasionally.
Now we do the broad breasted white or bronze. Big, dumb and easy to raise, couldn't fly if they tried. We butcher them like cows, they are too big to put in the freezer whole so we cut them into steaks and roasts. I bone the thigh and roll it up like a rolled roast. Lots of meat for little effort. They get BIG. We had one 5 month old that dressed out at 43 pounds.
Thanks for all the input.
If anyone else can relate their experiences I will appreciate, also.
I DO like the idea of no flying turkeys :) The heritage are very pretty though.
I saw a white one with the wilds I believe is a Royal Palm which got me worrying with those in proximity, is another point against heritage for me ):
Thanks, Everyone :)
Alice
LOL, jylgaskin! Love your description of you experiences with turkeys. I don't want a turkey, but thanks for the giggle!
Yes, I like jylgaskin's description of experiences, also .. lol
I am sure not funny for them, but made me laugh, too :)))
The guy driving the truck the turkey was chasing certainly thought it was funny. He went around the block three times.
I probably would have too =D! Probably taking pictures as well.
I so want my Turkeys back, I wont order 15 I only want two...
You could hatch some, MissJestr. Are any of your hens broody?
No hens broody, I am even lucky to get an egg every two days... Turkeys are really not popular here, but I am trying to talk my doc into uping with some of his, heck I would take one I would not care...
I have it on good authority that Billy's barn yard will welcome the addition of turkeys... Like maybe tomorrow. They are 8 months old hatched out of his girls and will be looking for us a gobbler...
Did you know that in my town, you have to have a wild life permit to raise wild turkeys, so it is my understanding that they are of the bronze breed. You have to pay for this said permit, and give permission to the game and fish to inspect them...
I will put them in with the new rescue rooster, More on that with his picture later, I thought he was too pretty for the freezer, not sure what he is, but I am thinking that someone can identify him then I can get some hens of his breed.
Oh EGGGCELENT news as well... 4 count them 4 eggs tonight....
Ok in doing some research I found this.. Does anyone know what black head disease is?
I need to house the turkeys with a rooster for a short time. Has anyone ever heard or does worming of their birds?
The reason why some people mix them together and "never had any problems" usually are because the black head disease was not on their premises in the first place.. just sheer luck or due to conditions that aren't favorable to earth worms such as the desert areas or regular liming/salting of the pens etc.. So CC's advise to call the Ag office would tell if it;s present in the general area.. but then if they say it;s not present in the general area and you bring in chickens from areas that DO have it.. well, you get the idea.. be careful of false comfort.
Sorry I can't help you on that one. I've never heard of black head disease, nor do I worm my chickens. Congratulations on your new stock. I'll be looking forward to pictures.
I did more research and I am thinking since you cant find worms in the desert or rock shelves that are in my pens, I am ok...
I cant wait either... WHOO HOO
I am thinking about getting some too. I want nice ones though, gentle...no meanies! Dh's parents used to have white ones that were super evil lol.
We had a white one - breed unknown - as a pet when I was little. She was very sweet and followed us everywhere, "Gook, gook, gook!"
I popped by yesterday to get them... Problem was.. Did not have a big enough carrer to put the Male in.. HOLY DOODLES he is a big boy 2 years old. The girls would have fit but did not want to seperate them. So plan two, find a big carrier.
Lift with your legs!
LOL or find a strong person to assist....