Re: Red Bourbon Turkeys

[bee_pipes]

Thanks for the pictures. You say the hen uses a manger as a nest box? How many eggs before the hen goes broody?

How long do you brood the chicks?
Do you release them to the yard after brooding? Or keep them in a fenced pen? How old before they can have the run of the place?

Thanx again - appreciate the photos.

Regards,
Pat

[bee_pipes]

Have you had that experience with the chickens? Found that you need to take chicks away to brood?

Regards,
Pat

[bee_pipes]

I would like to try turkeys this year. We are looking for red bourbons and royal palms. The royal palms are smaller, and may be more realistic for our meat requirements - we've got a guy for them. I hope to find the bourbons at the Lewisburg swap next week. From your stories and others I've talked to, they sound like interesting creatures to have around. I'd like two pairs of each, one pair for breeding and one pair for the freezer. Right now we're throwing together a pen and housing for them. The goal is to have them running loose on the property with the chickens during the day and roosting in the night. Do you think they'd prefer to sleep on the floor or should I give them a roost like the chickens? How about mixing chicks of different ages? Say, if two or three weeks go by before I can find another pair, will they get along with the older chicks? At what age can you determine gender?

Regards,
Pat

How do you keep the chickens out of the turkey food and vice versa? Do you give them the same feed? How do you feed the turkeys? Turkey food? Game bird food? Starter and layer?

How about eggs? Are turkey eggs good?

The pen is pretty simple - it stands about 2 foot off the ground, roughly 12 x 8, with one end - about 5 x 8 enclosed and roofed. The rest of it is wire enclosed. The inside is 3 foot high from ceiling to floor. This will just be temporary until they can hold their own with the chickens and a place for them to find feed and water.

Thanks a lot for any answers or suggestions.

Regards,
Pat