After three geezerhood of raise our own broiler chickens for the board , we decided to make the full-grown ( and I mean big ) leap to turkeys this year .
In truth , Brett , Kelsey and I had talk about raising bomb – sort of – and then I made the split - 2nd final determination upon seeing some Bourbon Red Republic of Turkey poults at the feed storehouse .
Knowing well , I still buy six on the spur of the moment without even setting up the incubator first ( Warning : DO NOT do this ! ) .
At least I had done some homework : reading turkey raising articles and talking to experient agriculturist . I get it on rear Meleagris gallopavo would be dissimilar from bring up duck and chickens . I just did n’t hump that those innocent - seem piffling poults would be so much fuss …
Here ’s why:1 . Turkey poults are cute and personable . For me , this is not a unspoiled affair when I ’m plot to eat the fauna later .
With our Cornish - cross broiler , we ’d lucked out and superintend to acquire them after their fluffy down mostly turn to bloodless plume . They all looked likewise and never flaunted much personality ( unlike our layer hen ) . Maybe they were too engaged gormandize themselves and lazing around . The poults acted completely different : up-and-coming , questioning and responsive .
When we put our flagitious hands in the box , they gathered around pecking at rings and bracelets , letting us stroke their flossy principal , peep brightly the entire time . Now how can I feed something so adorable ? ( More on this next time . )
2 . Turkey poults are ticklish . The experts warned me that poults are more delicate than doll , and demand spare mothering . You need to show them how and where to eat / booze , check that they do n’t get chill or pile in corners , and keep their brooder immaculate so they do n’t get sick .
Even then , they caution , plan on losing some . Sure enough , despite 100 percent survival of past chicks ( I know , I ’ve been lucky ) and persevering mothering , one poult soon died for unnamed intellect .
3 . Turkey poults peck . I had register that bomb poults liked to peck at bright aim – one way you’re able to get them to eat is to put marble in their dish .
Still , I was completely unprepared for the craze of pecking they indulged in during their first few hebdomad with us . Pecking at my wedding party ring and playing tug of war with my hemp bracelet was cute ; pecking at their sibling ’s pecker and fender feathers : not so precious .
I ’ll share some more joker problem next fourth dimension . I ’d enjoy see about your turkey - raising experiences too !
~ Cherie
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