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Barnyard Buddies:  Broody Turkey  |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 29 2011 : 4:03:30 PM
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I was out just now feeding animals and egg hunting. I went in to get the turkey eggs, which I have been getting at least 2, sometimes 3 eggs, a day now. But there was a hen sitting on about 4 eggs and she was rearranging them and cooing to them. So sweet. I have heard some horror stories from other turkey people saying how turkeys are not good mothers. They will step all over the newly hatched chicks and kill them. Or the tom will get too close and peck them to death.
I have a big cage I thought about putting her in in a few days, if she is still on them. She is right under the roost too. That can't be good. I will see if she's still on the nest and then go ahead and put her in the cage out in the coop with the others. So she will still be with them but protected. They sit 28 days I think. So this should be interesting to see what happens. That's why I wanted the hens, to see if they would hatch more for me. Then maybe if they survive, I can sell them.
I would love to hear from others who have or have had turkeys that have hatched poults succesfully. I need advice and suggestions.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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sissarge
True Blue Farmgirl
502 Posts
Linda
Montgomery
Texas
USA
502 Posts |
Posted - Mar 29 2011 : 5:57:04 PM
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Kristin, I have had turkeys off and on for about 20 years. I had a 55 gallon drum that was laid on its side, and when out to right it up one day, when I looked inside and there was 5 eggs. The turkey hen came running and was mad at me. She got inside and sat. I was worried a snake or a coon would get them. But she hatched just fine. The tom came to see when she first brought them out, but he just went on about his business. Commander the goose, came to look, and made the cooing noise, and then started honking and let the whole world now. It was so funny even the ducks came to see, but no one brothered them. It was so neat to watch. Raised all 5 to young adults and sold them. Only one I ever had to raise chicks. Now I have 4 baby brown turkeys, don't know hens or toms.
Hopefully, the cage is large, because she will get off nest to exercise. Good luck! Farmgirl #946 Linda |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Mar 29 2011 : 5:58:45 PM
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i only know ours was a good mommy. i had to put her food in front of her. she just sat there for the duration. i separated her into her own pen with a dog crate for her nest. she did great. she never left her post. you know about chicks so you will do fine. i am happy for you. pretty cool. when you can post a pic of mom. learn as we go kris. sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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amomfly
True Blue Farmgirl
658 Posts
Angie
LaGrange
IN
USA
658 Posts |
Posted - Mar 29 2011 : 6:05:18 PM
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I love it! I have seen some do great, you know what you are doing so it will be ok.
Congrats Kris and post pics when you can.
Come visit my blog
http://angieruralliving.blogspot.com/
God Bless
Angie-amomfly
#1038 |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Mar 30 2011 : 08:43:40 AM
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This morning when I was feeding everyone I saw the turkey hen was not on the 6 eggs. And they were cold. So I guess she changed her mind. Then I got a call from a guy who saw my sign at the feed store about the turkeys. I told him I would sell eggs. He said he'd take a dozen. I had 14 so I said I'd give him 2 extras. I also told him I will not gaurantee a 100% hatch. He was ok with that. Just happy to get them. He also didn't have correct change and I didn't wither. So he gave me a twenty. I told him to call me if none of them hatched. I am pretty sure the tom is doing his job though. But I still won't gaurantee they all hatch. I hope they all do. But the girl that bought the 9 eggs a few weeks ago should know soon. I told het to call me. I want to know if any hatch. So I have made $20. today right off. I am saving my egg money to get sheep.
Linda, that's a good momma turkey. I guess there are some good ones. I remember when I had ducks. I also had guineas. There was a guinea that hatched about 20 keats. Some of them went a little crazy when I got too close and went through the fence into the chicken-duck yard. There was a duck right there and he snatched a few up just like that. Ran away with them and ate them. It was horrible. I could not believe what I had just seen.
I did upload all my pictures from my camera the other day then didn't know where they went. I did find them in the Windows photo gallery. I have no idea how to get them into photobucket. But they are in here now. I'll work on trying to figure it out.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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amomfly
True Blue Farmgirl
658 Posts
Angie
LaGrange
IN
USA
658 Posts |
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rksmith
True Blue Farmgirl
858 Posts
Rachel
Clayton
GA
USA
858 Posts |
Posted - Mar 30 2011 : 4:10:52 PM
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Growing up we never had any turkeys to set and hatch. I don't ever recall having any babies running around. Now, I have a young hen and tom I bought at the sale a couple of weeks ago. She's given me 5 eggs already, we're leaving them in the house with her to see what she'll do. Hopefully she'll set them, if not we've got an incubator thankfully. I've heard of some chicken hens hatching off turkey and duck eggs and raising the babies, but have not had that myself. And I've also always heard that to raise baby turkeys you have to keep them in a brooder and do it yourself otherwise they'll die on their own (with the hen).
Rachel
Farmgirl Sister #2753
Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you are not willing to move your feet--Dr. Kioni
http://www.mynsp.com/rksmith
http://madame1313.wordpress.com/ |
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southerncrossgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
631 Posts
Gena
Harmony
NC
USA
631 Posts |
Posted - Mar 31 2011 : 05:45:04 AM
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Hey Kris, i haven't been on here in a long time. I was surprised that you still have the turkeys. You must have really gotten attached to them. I have gone "Chicken Crazy". I have hatched 35 chicks in the last 2 weeks. My Faverolle's and SIlkie's have hatched their own, and I hatched some in the incubator. I am having calls like crazy wanting to buy chicks.
I will have to see if I have room to add some turkeys to the mix.
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Mar 31 2011 : 7:11:25 PM
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Gena! I have missed you so much. How are ya? What have you been up to? Sounds like you have been busy. That's great that you have people wanting your chickens. I hope you get some turkeys too. My Mazie had her calf a few weeks ago. A bull calf. He's getting so big already. And both does are getting ready to kid in a few weeks. Lots going on here.
I got 4 eggs today from the turkeys. And the one I thought went broody apparently changed her mind. I might just wait til another hen goes broody and stick turkey eggs under her just to see what happens.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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southerncrossgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
631 Posts
Gena
Harmony
NC
USA
631 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2011 : 06:07:05 AM
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Been missing you too. I can't believe Mazie had her calf! I remember the time you had getting her back from the other farm!
My Mom passed away in January, so, I have gone back to work 3 days a week, but I keep the 2 babies on Wednesdays. I couldn't just stop keeping them. I miss them so much.
I have sheep now, and have gone absolutely chicken crazy. Hubby is building more places to keep them today.
I am going to get "Call" ducks too and maybe turkeys.
You knew I would do that once I started back to work and had my own $$$!!!
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2011 : 10:38:40 AM
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Gena, I'm so sorry about your mom. Wow, she must have really missed your dad so much. I know you miss them both. It sounds like you have been really busy though. That's a good thing. I have real busy days then nothing days. I like the nothing days better. I am saving egg money to get sheep. I am getting a few Suffolk lambs for meat. Then another lady I met has Shetland and Cheviot sheep. I want some for wool. I am getting my front pasture ready for them all. We planted fescue about a month ago then had all those floods. I didn;t think it would come up but it is!!! So by the time the lambs are weaned my pasture should be ready for them. I am so excited! I am going to start spinning lessons hopefully tomorrow. That will be so fun. I hope I can do it. My 2 goats are ready to pop any day. Although they aren't due til the 19th or after. I think the buck must've jumped them as soon as he got here. They both look like they are going to have at least 18 babies. Sandy actually had some goo this morning. I think she'll go early. They are getting full udders too. So fun!
Keep in touch. I missed you. I need to go mow my yard now. We bought a new self-propelled push mower. I just went on a 4 mile hike up at Lula Lake and now I am going to push mow my yards.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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southerncrossgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
631 Posts
Gena
Harmony
NC
USA
631 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2011 : 12:03:15 PM
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You go girl. Sounds like you have been sticking to the walking and trying to get in shape. I wish I would try harder. It is so hard for me to get motivated.
I really like my sheep. I have Kathadin (hair sheep). We have them as pasture mowers. We butchered Betty (cow), and sold the pigs, and the horses are gone to be trained. We needed something to eat the pasture grass, but hubby was not wanting to shear sheep again. We had sheep when our son was in 4-H. I like the looks of the wooly sheep better though.
I miss my goats. Especially reading about all you guys stories. I'll probably get some more Nubians. I didn't ever get very attached to the Nigerians. I have bought so many animals since I went back to work. Hubby is wanting me to slow down.
So glad to be back! Still want to come visit you.
Gena
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2011 : 12:36:18 PM
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Here are the 3 hens sharing a nest of eggs. This was the other day. It raoned all day yesterday and the roof on the barn leaks. There was a leak near the nest and I was afraid the eggs were getting wet. So I found a drawer from the kitchen we had to remove to put in the dishwasher. I took that out and put some pine shavings in it and laid the eggs in and put the one hen back in. She broke one egg. Then took off. I checked back later and another one was on it and the original was back on the floor. I hope the eggs didn't get cold. The should hatch Mother's day, I hope.
This is Harper, the proud big man. He is so handsome. He fluffs up and drags his wing feathers and makes a spitting sound every few seconds.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Barnyard Buddies: Broody Turkey |
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Broody Turkey
