Brooding buddies

[CrealCritter]

Duck started Monday, Turkeys today. They most likely are sitting on each other's eggs. They were mixed in there before brooding began. I've had turkeys hatch chicken eggs before so why not duck hatch turkey and turkey hatch duck eggs.

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[CrealCritter]

Well I just checked and been 22 and 21 days since the brood trio took to holding tight on the eggs. We should see some hatchlings starting next week if the brood trio goes well. It'll be nice to have new turkeys and ducks again. What's the old saying? Don't count your chickens until they hatch? I reckon the same applies to turkeys and ducks, hu? Who knows, maybe I'll finally be able to have a duck for dinner

I've discovered that like turkeys, Peking ducks also like to brood where they think they are hidden. Also a nip on the hand from a broody duck does not draw blood like a nip on the hand from a broody turkey does. I've had some broody chickens that will peck you up one side and down the other when they brood. But no chicken hen ever drew blood, like a turkey nip does.

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[Hinotori]

I have an el diablo hen. She is very good at drawing blood. I have a scar where she took an actual bite out of my wrist once. She's part of why hubby won't collect eggs.

So for turkeys Im just imagining her with a bigger beak.

 

[Alaskan]

I have an el diablo hen. She is very good at drawing blood. I have a scar where she took an actual bite out of my wrist once. She's part of why hubby won't collect eggs.

So for turkeys Im just imagining her with a bigger beak.

Is she a good mom to her chicks?

We had a couple of hens that would bite and twist.... my boys always responded with "what a good mama!"

 

[Hinotori]

Is she a good mom to her chicks?

We had a couple of hens that would bite and twist.... my boys always responded with "what a good mama!"

She wants eggs, not chicks. Totally ignored them when I let her hatch eggs. I have trustworthy broodies that aren't aggressive.

 

[Alaskan]

She wants eggs, not chicks. Totally ignored them when I let her hatch eggs. I have trustworthy broodies that aren't aggressive.

Well.. wow...why be all snippy if she doesn't even want the chicks. Bad hen!

 

[CrealCritter]

I have an el diablo hen. She is very good at drawing blood. I have a scar where she took an actual bite out of my wrist once. She's part of why hubby won't collect eggs.

So for turkeys Im just imagining her with a bigger beak.

Yep and they got a long pointy beak and a larger bird, with a long neck. So I would imagine a little more peck power.

My wife has been feeding them, because she puts her ducks up at night with the turkeys. She said they aren't eating as much. I said no, they are still eating the same. every since spring sprung and any bug that makes it's way into the in their fenced yard they eat, including spiders. The only bug a turkey won't eat is one that doesn't move. I've even seen them snap a fly out of mid air. I have yet to see them eat any think like a lizard, frog, mouse, etc... So I suspect they are mainly bug eaters. Although I have seen them peck a snake to drive it away.

Turkeys are a little different bird than chickens, but they play nice together. I eat the turkeys that are aggressive. The three hens and Tom I have now are very gentle even with children. I need to replace one of my hens because she's old and doesn't lay anymore. And my Tom is going on 3 years old. Although he still is productive, I would like some younger Jake to replace him. So praying and hoping for a successful brood from the trio.

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[CrealCritter]

Here's a picture of my Tom. Sorry he didn't want his picture taken, so he didn't puff up, drop his wings and spread his tail feathers He's a pretty good sized Tom, I would say he'll dress out a good 20 plus lbs of juicy tender deliciousness.

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[Alaskan]

Here's a picture of my Tom. Sorry he didn't want his picture taken, so he didn't puff up, drop his wings and spread his tail feathers He's a pretty good sized Tom, I would say he'll dress out a good 20 plus lbs of juicy tender deliciousness.
View attachment 18851

Jesus is Lord and Christ

He looks huge!

 

[Mini Horses]

Last week I saw a trio of wild ones...2 hens and a tom who was puffed the size of a small bear! talk about dressed to impress.....he was sure strutting! There are a LOT of wild turkey in woods near my farm.