| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jul 16 2010 : 05:34:13 AM
They made it through the night! I went ahead and totally disregarded what Kimberly said and put my 9 BR turkey poults out in the stall I had prepared for them. They were so cute when they first touched the ground. First time on real ground. I had been putting a pan of dirt in their cage and they loved to roll around in it and even ate some. So they kmew what it was. And they did so good. It was about noon yesterday when I put them out. I was a little worried about the heat. There were a few panting. But there is a breeze and they are totally shaded and enclosed.
I went out last night and put them all back in the big cage for the night. Put a blanket over it. Said a prayer for protection. This morning went out and they were all still alive! I opened the cage door and one by one they jumped out and each one flapped their wings. It was so cute! Then they turned around and jumped back in the cage. Then I threw some grass in and they all jumped back out to eat the grass.
So I think they will be ok. If it rains real bad I will take them back in. It tends to get a little wet in that stall when it rains hard and long. But I don't think I'll need to worry about that for awhile.
Everyone needs turkeys. They are so stinkin' cute and funny and so sweet. There are 2 in particular that are very friendly and will come to me. I hope they are a tom and a hen. I'll keep them. and another hen.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| 22 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| sherrye |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 5:49:30 PM
sounds like happy farm fun. turkeys can be pretty stupid. it is common sense i think some can lack. 3 boys are too many like teresa said.i have one sitting now. she has 1 egg. good luck. let us know how your turks and rodeo round up go kris happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 5:41:08 PM
I know. And I will go ahead and put some in the freezer for us. But it's still going to be hard. I could divide them into 2 groups and keep them separated. But I don't know.
This morning there were about 4 out again. So I let them all out. That does not work. They are still small enough to get through field fence. They were all over. And then got in the yard. So I actually herded them all back into the chicken yard and back into the stall. It was that easy! I stayed really nice and calm. They make me calm for some reason. I guess because they are. So I then tried to fix some spaces up high where they could be flying out from. It must have worked because they weren't out anymore.
I just let them out for about 30 minutes tonight. They have such fun. They will fly out and then eat some grass then fly back in. Then do it all again. As long as I am out there they stay put. I am so glad I got these guys.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 6:44:34 PM
3 Tom's will cause alot of fighting unless you pen them seprately, 1 Tom will work for 6 girls thou...
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 6:27:23 PM
There are at least 4 turkeys that get out of the stall somehow. They stay right around it though. So this evening there were 3 out. Went ahead and opened the door. They all jumped up on the board that goes under the door and hopped outside into the big green world. They all stayed right around the door. They ate bugs and grass for awhile. Some would hop back inside then come back out. One of the cats was out there wiht me. They'd look at her and make strange noises. Then they all hopped back inside and went to the feed. So I shut the door.
I think I will let them out about an hour before sunset every day. Make it earlier each day so they will get more time outside. They seemed to like it. They are getting bigger each day. I know there are 3 toms now. I really like these birds. I think I might end up keeping them all and just use them for breeding stock and sell the poults. They are such sweet turkeys. Nothing like a chicken at all.
I hope everyone else who has turkeys is having good luck with them. I am having fun with mine.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jul 22 2010 : 10:02:32 AM
Your ribcage! What did you do?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| sherrye |
Posted - Jul 22 2010 : 07:41:13 AM
sounds like lots of farm entertainment kris. how fun. i have not gotten minee yet. too hot right now. i think i will wait till fall and carry into winter. so glad they are doing so good. as soon as my ribcage heals i am going to start butchering my fryers.happy days sherrrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jul 22 2010 : 05:59:40 AM
Last night they stayed out of the cage and roosted on the roost. And this morning they are all still alive! That top roost that they like is apparently just not long enough for all 9 of them. So 1 was in the cage when I went out to check on them. I need to widen it some more. There is space on the outside where the branch hangs over though. Poor little lonely turkey. But they were all fine this morning.
It looks like I might have at least 3 toms and the rest hens. That's going to make it hard when I have to decide who stays and who goes in the freezer. The toms are lots bigger and the hens just look more dainty. With pretty little heads. The toms have big heads and just look awkward right not. And their necks are more pinkins and longer. But they are all still so cute.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jul 20 2010 : 5:52:09 PM
Thanks for the suggestion, Teresa.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Jul 20 2010 : 3:18:17 PM
Its fairly easy to extend the highth of chain link fences, without high cost. Get a roll of welded wire (fairly light guage, with 1 x 2 in openings, 3 ft tall) and some light weight t-posts 6 ft tall, weave half the t-posts into your chain link, and then attach your weilded wire fencing , you now have a 6 to 6 1/2 ft tall fence.Plus you can remove the fence extension at any time with out damage to anything.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jul 20 2010 : 2:39:37 PM
Sherry, the fence is just chain link. I guess 4'. These are not big heavy turkeys either. I may have to clip wings.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| sherrye |
Posted - Jul 20 2010 : 07:42:49 AM
how high is there fence. when they get bigger they can only fly close to the ground. plus like geese they need to get a run at it to get off the ground. they get too heavy. the white palms fly. happy days kris sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jul 20 2010 : 07:36:51 AM
Sherry, I hope you get some turkeys. I am just loving these guys so far. They are so funny and very smart. I am very impressed with them. I am already seeing that a few are toms. Their necks are almost purple. They are just so beautiful. I can't wait til they get bigger and I can let them out in the little yard.
Will these turkeys be able to fly out?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| sherrye |
Posted - Jul 19 2010 : 8:27:10 PM
hi kris, i have a turkey hen sitting on about 12 chicken eggs and 2 of hers. she holds her post no matter the heat. i feel sorry for her but she is happy. i also have a chicken hen sitting in this heat how can the eggs be ok? we shall see at end of month. my opinion is like teresa the reds are smarter tougher. they still are pretty ignorant of real life. i think when young is when they make the most mistakes. i want to do turkeys this year but so busy already. the whole dog food thing was BIG WORK> whew i will have help next time. now i am going to make soap. i do love turkeys though. this would be our first year out of 10 to not have any. so i might have to go order some reds. since i skin mine i dont mind darker feathers either. i used to have a flock of royal palms. i can see why they are called that. so beautiful when a flock runs across the green grass or snow. they are white with black markings. very well adjusted to being out on pasture. when i had them i had no pasture my heart aches for them. they wanted to fly around and run in a field. i gave them to a gal that had hundreds of acres. she was going to try to naturalize them. never heard if it worked. now i could use them out with the cows. we had a horse attacked by a cougar in our area this week. it ate the belly out of a horse. it also attacked another and left it. very sad. but they have no where to be now. too many people. this is the first attack here for some time. we have dogs as a buffer between livestock and wild things in the dark. well happy days to all you turkey lovers of like minds. yum smoked turkey breast cooked with alder oak cherry maybe a little walnut wood. yummy happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jul 19 2010 : 06:11:45 AM
If anyone else has turkeys, please feel free to post here and tell of your adventures too. I am learning as I go and need advice. I have never raised them from day old babies. So it's all new to me. I would love for everyone to chime in and tell about all you have learned on the way.
I have 9 Bourbon Red's, by the way.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jul 19 2010 : 04:02:39 AM
I forgot about the turkeys last night til almost 11:00. I got the flashlight and ran out there. They were all in the cage together in the corner! All toasty warm. That is so funny how they now where to go at night. So I closed the 2 doors and covered them up all safe and sound. Very smart birds.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jul 18 2010 : 3:00:24 PM
Ashley, I have a gallon waterer for my 9 and I just fill it about once a day. I guess because they have been inside, When they are outside I have the big metal water thing that's probably 2 gallons. And they never even touched it. I guess because it's grey and they were used to the red bottom.
I put them back out awhile ago. I need to go get the cage and all the stuff that goes with them. It's like having a baby again. Jeeze! So much stuff.
I am so glad yours are doing so good too.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| knead2garden |
Posted - Jul 18 2010 : 2:21:57 PM
I am so happy that your babes are doing well. Mine are getting big, too. I forgot to tell you that mine are (13 of them) are going through about 4 - 5 gallons of water a day with the heat. I know you take great care of your animals, but I was AMAZED that they drink as much water as they have.
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jul 16 2010 : 5:31:54 PM
Teresa, you must have been writing as I was. I do believe they are going to be able to handle it alot earlier than the hybrid turkeys, but the stall where I have them gets alot of water when it rains and I am not sure what this weather will do right now. So I am going to be safer right now than sorrier later. They do love it out there though. I put lots of grass in for them and it's all gone quick.
It probably won't even rain now.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jul 16 2010 : 5:27:26 PM
Brenda, one day I will learn. My DD is coming out Sunday. I will write myself a note. I just remembered I dropped my camera in a bucket of milk the other day. I'll see if she can bring hers and I will try to post pics.
It is thundering with chances of rain tonight and tomorrow so I decided to bring them back inside for a few days. I just am so afraid they will get wet and get chilled and I'll lose tham all. It is quite an ordeal to put them all in the smaller cage so I can carry them across the yard and up the steps into the house. Then go back out to get the double cage and food thing and waterer. What fun on the farm! And now I am soaked. Not with rain but sweat. I'm pooped. I guess I'll leave them in til Sunday.
They are the sweetest birds. I hope you get some, Brenda. I thought they would be alot more trouble but really they aren't.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Jul 16 2010 : 5:26:17 PM
Heritage breeds are alot tuffer than the manmade breeds and as long as they have shelter and protection from predators, they should be just fine...glad its all well and good for you and yours
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| LakeOntarioFarmgirl |
Posted - Jul 16 2010 : 4:49:43 PM
Hurray! Kris you need to keep posting stories about your turkeys! I can't wait to get turkeys next year!
Can you post pictures of them?
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
"If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down. "~ Mary Pickford
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
| Karrieann |
Posted - Jul 16 2010 : 06:41:10 AM
Awww Kris... I just smiled with gladness. They do sound adorable!!!! :o)
Karrieann ~ Farmgirl Sister #766 (29 Sept 2009)
My Blog: ...following my heart, dreams and Jesus
...http://karrieann-followingmyheartandjesus.blogspot.com/
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