Turkeys about breeding time

sumi

Rest in Peace 1980-2020
Joined
Sep 26, 2013
Messages
7,025
Reaction score
5,297
Points
337
Location
Ireland
They are funny, when they start "crowing" or whatever they're meant to do. A few years ago I raised some chickens and had a friend round for a visit. I walked down to his car with him as he left and we walked past the chicken run, me a step or two ahead of him (it was a narrow path). One of the little roosters decided as we walked past, to commit a "crow". I didn't pay it much attention and kept walking, but soon realised I lost my friend... I looked behind me and found him frozen on the spot, he looked so funny, standing there, on foot in front of the other, mid-walk, he just froze. He looked at me with a mix of bewilderment, panic and something else in-between and said "What the F%^K was THAT?!?" Funny thing is a few months later I ended up selling him some of my birds to start his own flock.
 

Mini Horses

Sustainability Master
Joined
Sep 2, 2015
Messages
7,789
Reaction score
16,931
Points
382
Location
coastal VA
You may well be onto another issue with your water. A little chlorine "on occasion" could be tolerated and soon worked out by the body but, everyday -- that could well be a problem for young'uns. Especially mentally challenged ones. You could always catch rainwater for them if no stream available. I think you do have one below the garden...right? I have heard they do need that high protein when just starting. Been so long since I raised any I don't even know what I fed them. :D
 

CrealCritter

Sustainability Master
Joined
Jul 16, 2017
Messages
11,225
Reaction score
22,056
Points
387
Location
Zone 6B or 7 can't decide
You may well be onto another issue with your water. A little chlorine "on occasion" could be tolerated and soon worked out by the body but, everyday -- that could well be a problem for young'uns. Especially mentally challenged ones. You could always catch rainwater for them if no stream available. I think you do have one below the garden...right? I have heard they do need that high protein when just starting. Been so long since I raised any I don't even know what I fed them. :D

Old momma hen (me) will fetch water from the spring we have on our property for the next brood. I ferment cabbage to.make sauerkraut with that water, so I know it's good. Plus I drink it myself anytime I'm out there. Hey wait... Is that why I'm so goofy?
 

CrealCritter

Sustainability Master
Joined
Jul 16, 2017
Messages
11,225
Reaction score
22,056
Points
387
Location
Zone 6B or 7 can't decide
Growing fast and are looking more tasty every day.
IMG_20181101_103352652_HDR.jpg
 

Mini Horses

Sustainability Master
Joined
Sep 2, 2015
Messages
7,789
Reaction score
16,931
Points
382
Location
coastal VA
Are they any smarter? :D

Saw some wild ones yesterday. Couple hens and some basically grown ones from earlier in year. Guess some of the hunters will have a couple for Thanksgiving. They'll be harvesting soy beans soon -- soon as they get the cotton in -- then the birds get into the fields and feast on the drops. They & deer have been scavenging corn for over a month now And the regrowth from the corn is a pasture for the deer. We have well fed wildlife around here. :cool:
 

CrealCritter

Sustainability Master
Joined
Jul 16, 2017
Messages
11,225
Reaction score
22,056
Points
387
Location
Zone 6B or 7 can't decide
Are they any smarter? :D

Saw some wild ones yesterday. Couple hens and some basically grown ones from earlier in year. Guess some of the hunters will have a couple for Thanksgiving. They'll be harvesting soy beans soon -- soon as they get the cotton in -- then the birds get into the fields and feast on the drops. They & deer have been scavenging corn for over a month now And the regrowth from the corn is a pasture for the deer. We have well fed wildlife around here. :cool:

Well at least they got enough smarts to stay in the coop during flooding rain now. But Smarter? - no... still dumb as a box of rocks.
 
Top