Baby Turkeys have Hatched

[CrealCritter]

Two Burbon Reds sitting, 3 baby turkeys hatched this morning. Cute Lil things aren't they?

I counted about 15 eggs per clutch so hopefully they will hatch out a few more over the next few days

 

[NH Homesteader]

Ah I love baby turkeys! Congrats!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

They are cutie patooties for sure! Congrats!

 

[Mini Horses]

Saw your picture of the tom on your other thread -- handsome!!
the hens look as lovely.

So, will you butcher them a couple at a time when matured? That's a lot of turkey when they both hatch most of the eggs. And a lot of freezer space -- if you leave them whole. Personally, I'd split some for sake of ease of use & freezer space.

This year I'll butcher chickens. May do a few turkeys next yr. Just so big to handle....smaller than those hogs I cut up !

 

[CrealCritter]

Yes absolutely I will process them when they mature. We have two big freezers so lots of freezer space. That's the main reason to got turkeys is to eat. Am a bit of a turkey-a-holic.

Both hens laid clutches in Jan this year but not a single egg hatched - I believe the eggs got too cold before they decided to sit. This is the second clutch this year and success - I'm very happy.

This is a really good picture of Tom standing guard over the hens that we're sitting on their first clutches this year.

 

[CrealCritter]

Saw your picture of the tom on your other thread -- handsome!!
the hens look as lovely.

So, will you butcher them a couple at a time when matured? That's a lot of turkey when they both hatch most of the eggs. And a lot of freezer space -- if you leave them whole. Personally, I'd split some for sake of ease of use & freezer space.

This year I'll butcher chickens. May do a few turkeys next yr. Just so big to handle....smaller than those hogs I cut up !

I like it when I can raise my own food. I know how it lived, how it was treated, what environment it lived in and what it eat. Plus it's just very satisfying to say - Hey I raised this tasty meat

I'll keep my Tom and the two Hens through the winter now that I know they are productive and everything is working as it should. I'll process the rest to eat.

 

[sumi]

Cute little things! Congrats on the hatch.

 

[Beekissed]

Your birds are just gorgeous!!!! Most folks' turkeys you see are kind of ratty looking in their feathering.

 

[NH Homesteader]

Protein! Mostly...

 

[CrealCritter]

Your birds are just gorgeous!!!! Most folks' turkeys you see are kind of ratty looking in their feathering.

Thank you

I feed them 21% protein meat bird feed and wild bird seeds as a treat occasionally. I also add Bragg's apple cider vinegar at the rate of 1 cap full per gallon of water. I think that has a lot to do with the condition they are in...