You can tell it is the spring of the year. The turkey gobblers are really strutting their stuff. And all four hens are now setting on nests of eggs.
Before the turkey hens set O Wise One filled the incubator with turkey eggs also.
The first bath of 20 hatched last Tuesday and went on Craigslist on Wednesday. By Friday they were all gone. They never even made it to an outside brooder. We kept them in a small box in the bathroom under a light so they were easy to get to when people came. It was so muddy back by the brooders from all the rain we thought people would appreciate that.
While the baby turkeys were here they were well observed.
Seemed like every time I missed those two grandsons of mine I knew exactly where to look to find them.
Next batch of eggs in the incubator are due to hatch on Thursday.
The babies brought us $8 per bird. Our turkeys are all Bourbon Red and are considered a heritage breed. They really seem to be in demand in this area or maybe just turkeys in general.
Blessings from The Holler
The Canned Quilter
cute little ones
ReplyDeleteAwe.....
ReplyDeleteI'd like to raise heritage turkey but have always heard you shouldn't raise chickens and turkeys on the same farm due to the prospect of blackhead disease. Since I already have chickens, I'm fascinated that you have both on your farm. Have you ever had any issues?
ReplyDeleteNope I have never had a problem. I run closed flocks though which means absolutely no birds come in from outside. I hatch my own young and raise them to replace my present breeding stock. Have done this for almost 20 years with absolutely no problem. If blackhead is introduced onto this farm it would have to come from outside and I don't allow that to happen. Also other people do not come into my pens EVER!!!!!! Diseases can be transmitted on shoes and such.
DeleteSo glad demand is up and youre going to make s profit. Sounds like theyre selling like hotcakes!
ReplyDeleteYeah I hope they continue to do so. With another batch in the incubator and all the hens sitting that is more than I can eat and can. If they don't sell we will take part of them to the small animal auction : )
DeleteHey CQ love the header picture!
ReplyDeleteHi! I'm new to raising turkeys. We have a tom and hen in a pen together. She has laid many eggs but each morning 1-2 are smashed. I am concerned that he may be doing it. Do you separate your setting hen from the tom? When they are hatched should I separate him from the hen/babies?
ReplyDeleteWhat is happening is that your Tom is trying to mount your hen and breed her while she is on the nest. What we do is take the eggs away and keep them in a carton turning it over twice a day until the hen is setting on the nest and broody. Maybe leave just one or two eggs under her. Once she is broody(setting) you are going to have to build a wire box to set over the top of her or something to keep the Tom off of her or simply place him in another pen. We always keep the gobbler away from the babies. In the wild the female hen chases the gobbler off away from the flock for that reason. He will kill them if he gets the chance. Hope this helps!
DeleteYou should not hold your eggs too long. Maybe 2 weeks but it is very important to turn them twice a day or more. This keeps the yolk from sticking to the sides of the egg.
DeleteThe Bourbon Reds are a wonderful breed and I love seeing photos of them. Not sure if it is a good thing or a bad thing that I don't live closer to you : ) You've really got the incubator thing down.
ReplyDeleteMy son hatches chickens and has an egg business, as his FFA project. It has been very lucrative for him. There is just something about buying local and fresh that can't be beaten!
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