| Author |
Barnyard Buddies:  5 week old turkey poults  |
|
|
kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 10 2010 : 4:20:25 PM
|
Are they big enough to be put outside yet? Or should I wait a few more weeks? I got them June 15th and they were about a week old then. They are Bourbon Reds. I started them in a single cage. 10 of them. 1 died. So the other day I put them in a doulbe cage. They have grown since. They are almost too big for this cage.
I have been getting the 10x10 stall ready to put them in. I just built a roost. I have been putting chicken wire all around the bottom and it already has it around the top. So they should be fairly safe. They have been next door in my little house which I have been calling the Turkey Bed and Breakfast. I have left windows and door open and have not had the heat light on them in a few weeks. So have been getting them ready to go out. They have to go out. It stinks! They are very messy. The floor is littered with all that goes along with poultry. I am tired of cleaning up after them.
So, has anyone else raised turkeys from little babies? I love these guys and don't want to lose anymore. But they just mowed the hay fields on all 3 sides of us. I am afraid a snake or wild critter will get them. Even all safe and secure in the stall. Any advice for me?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
|
|
MommaJ9
True Blue Farmgirl
157 Posts
Kimberly
Longview
Washington
USA
157 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2010 : 5:13:49 PM
|
Hi Kris! I got Bourbon Reds too and 5 weeks is still a little too early or them to be out. We lost 1 of ours (not sure why), but the rest are doing really well. Mine are about 8 weeks and are going to go outside next week. The fencing isn't quite done yet or they'd be out now. I'm concerned about hawks and eagles pluckin' mine of the ground...turkeys are pretty stupid, but very social. I'm afraid it wouldn't take much for mine to wander off with a wily coyote! I just did a post(on my blog) a couple of days ago with some updated pics of our turkey babies.
BTW...I just got a goat, so I may need to pick your brain a little! She's a pygmy and pregnant, but I'm not sure how far along and it's her first kidding. Not sure what I was thinking, but she is pretty sweet!
Farmgirl #783
http://jabezfarm.blogspot.com |
 |
|
|
kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2010 : 5:41:54 PM
|
Hey Kimberly. I looked on your blog (which I love by the way) and yours look like mine. Only mine are a bit smaller. They will be enclosed in a stall when I do let them out. They won't be out of the stall til they get bigger still. I am just so ready for them to be out of the house. They are the prettiest turkeys, aren't they? And so friendly so far. Well, there are a few that are really shy and hide behind the rest. And what are the little pointy things right above their beaks? Some a re longer than the others. Are those males?
And congrats on getting a goat. And a pregnant one too! But only one? When is she due?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
|
|
|
knead2garden
True Blue Farmgirl
359 Posts
Ashley
Spring City
TN
USA
359 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2010 : 08:49:14 AM
|
We still have ours indoors, but they seem to be ready to go outside. I just need to get the outdoor safe place built. Mine are still wild. I spend time with them, but when one decides to run, they all decide to run. Do yours do that?
~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
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2010 : 10:37:27 AM
|
Hey Ashley. I was wondering about yours. No, mine are so sweet. There are a few that are still a little skittish. I went over there one day to feed them and they were all out of the cage on the kitchen floor. They stayed in a group and never scattered. I got Kansas to stay by the door and I got them all. That last one though is the hardest to catch! They just go berserk. It's so silly. But I have a stall out in the goat chicken yard area that's 10x10 and I have it all chicken wired up to the top. I made the roost the other day out of branches. Real rustic but will work for now til they get bigger.
I was going to just put them out there for a few hours today but it's been raining. I don't want them to get a chill, little spoiled birds that they are. And it might be a little tiny bit wet in there. So I will wait a few more days.
But mine do stay together. Not like guineas that will scatter all over the place quick. They are the prettiest birds too. They are in the teenager stage now I guess. All mussed up and wild looking. Just out to have a good time. But really growing fast. And way too messy.
I hope ya'll are doing well up there. Did you get my email about the kefir? We'll be going to our reunion the 31st and it's at the lake on Scenic Drive. So if you want soem I could meet you soemwhere up there.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
|
|
|
knead2garden
True Blue Farmgirl
359 Posts
Ashley
Spring City
TN
USA
359 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2010 : 12:10:12 PM
|
They are more calm with me than they are anyone else, but they are far from calm. Maybe I'm just not spending enough time with them. They DO NOT like my DH. One of the Tom's (I think a Tom anyway) will hiss at him! It makes no sense as he is a gentle giant....poor guy and poor turkeys...
They know that I feed and water them and they run up to the feeder/waterer when I come in. Mine really like watermelon. Ahhh I'll figure out how to make them love me...lol.
I would love to meet up with you and get some kefir. Is there anything you need? You are so generous and I'd love to help you out in some way....
Just tell me when and where. I'll make sure to be there:)
~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 |
|
|
| |
Barnyard Buddies: 5 week old turkey poults |
|
5 week old turkey poults
