Turkeys!!!

[walldanzig]

I recently bought 6 Turkey eggs on Ebay bronze ones. There are now 11 days to go and I have been candeling them and all 6 have taken. I have done quite a bit of internet research but I know this will never make up for the individual knowledge people have. I was thinking of fattening four up and keeping two back as a breeding pair ( they are all seperate pens so not related). Does anyone know if the bronze turkeys fatten up well and if so whats the best thing to give them. They will be free range. Also is there anything in particular I need to do with a breeding pair. Is a pair even enough. Also I have thoroughly disinfected the area they are being kept as once upon a time chickens where kept there I have used ***** fluid is there anything else I should use.

As always thanks

Dan

[Nicos]

Interesting thread!
I saw young turkeys for sale at market on Thursday - presumably for the Xmas table.
I did a quick calculation of dates- tis 23 ish weeks to Xmas, and I presume they get culled around the same age as chooks ???

..sorry- I have no idea about turkeys- but look forward to reading other peeps ( and your) experiences!

[walldanzig]

Thanks Nicos. I think it will be a case of as always we learn from our mistakes but I like to think I have got a lot of that out of the way with the chickens ( which thankfully wasnt to many) Be interested to hear other peoples experiances

[RichmondHens]

I'm hoping to do the same - pick up some poults in the next few weeks and fatten them for Xmas. They need specific turkey feed - chicken feed does not contain enough protein. You must also keep them on ground not used by chickens to minimise the risk of getting blackhead (a parasite chickens carry which is fatal to turkeys if contracted). They also need a bit more hassling into bed at night. Apparently they will roost in trees or on roofs given half a chance and do not put themselves to bed like chickens.

I've not kept turkeys before but am consulting my turkey keeping friends on all things turkey!!

[walldanzig]

Thanks Richmond this sounds like it is going to be fun given my allotment has a section with quite a few trees can imagine trying to tempt them down. I will keep you updated as to how I get on and if you hear anything would appreciate the advise.

[Scarlet]

I have had turkeys for several years, they are great characters. You do need to put them to bed - be prepared to climb trees etc if you don't get to them early enough. They always escape and come looking for food in the kitchen, it would be ideal if you can keep them in a covered run so that they can't fly over, mine are just behind an electric fence. Bronze turkeys are slow to fatten up but taste great.
When they hatch they need encouragement to eat and drink perhaps a little more delicate than rearing a chicken.
They are not good to keep on the same ground as chickens so ensure your turkeys and chickens are kept apart. Have a look at this website Welcome to the Turkey Club

[walldanzig]

Thanks Scarlet that just about answered every question I had. Really good site thanks again

[Scarlet]

Good Luck - post some pics when they've hatched.

[walldanzig]

Good Luck - post some pics when they've hatched.

Thanks Scarlet they are due to hatch on Tuesday as soon as I will post pics

[Hilary B]

If you plan on keeping breeders, might be best to keep a trio rather than a pair; remember that the turkey cock is a rather brutal lover, and has no hesitation in holding his wife down with his talons if she isn't in the mood! Saddles are recommended (although never having used them, the only injury of this sort I ever had to deal with was when I had to keep the last 'for eating' bird with the young trio, and of course it was the one kept back because a neighbour wanted New Year turkey instead of Christmas dinner).
I did have a bronze male with white hens for a few years, but mostly I kept the smaller Norfolk Blacks.

[OverWyreGrower]

We kept turkeys for the first time last year, for Christmas.... we just bought in 6 week old babies...

However, we got some Whites in, and my gosh, they were IMMENSE! They were finishing up at nearly 2 stone dressed weight...

This year we're going for blacks or bronzes...

[Hilary B]

We kept turkeys for the first time last year, for Christmas.... we just bought in 6 week old babies...

However, we got some Whites in, and my gosh, they were IMMENSE! They were finishing up at nearly 2 stone dressed weight...

This year we're going for blacks or bronzes...

I reckon the more colour a turkey has, the more personality, although I reckon all of them to be related to ostriches (eyes bigger than brain). Bronze come in the same range of sizes as white, I have an especial fondness for the Norfolk Blacks. They were definitely the best of the ones we kept (and kept longest).

[walldanzig]

2 stone!!!!!!!!!!! wow wouldn't know what to do with the thing. Thanks for advice all A trio sounds like a better plan

[Scarlet]

I would go with a trio if you manage to get 2 girls out of six -we only set 6 eggs last year and they were all boys. You can buy saddles via the turkey forum. I think your bronze turkeys will be of the standard variety not the double breasted christmas type (their legs won't collapse under their weight) they will still be large birds but they do take a long time to mature. From an early June hatch last year my dressed boy came in at 19lb, at easter around 25lb. Standard weight for a young bronze stag is 25lb - 35lb. Although they feel very heavy when you pick them up to put them to bed.

[Scarlet]

Trying to get a pic up of my bronze stag but not having much luck! Fingers crossed this works