I haven't gotten a turkey yet. My chickens (I ended up with 8 as I adopted 3 off of Craigslist as babies.. see The thread "Chick identification?" in Farming forum ) ran out of space in their tote in the basement, so they're now in a 55gal aquarium (w/o water, of course!!) in my Crafts room so they get natural light plus supplemental light plus their heat lamp. Only bad thing with this is that the cats are very interested.. in the heat lamp! They're OK w/the chicks (they've seen all the chicks since I brought them home and none of them are too interested in eating them) but they're LOVING the heat lamp that's radiating heat in that room. So I ended up putting their feed bucket (with lid) right in front of the tank & a box next to that so a couple of cats can lay there all day long.

Lazy cats.

I'm planning on getting a turkey in a couple of weeks. I want a white one and all that's available just yet are the bronze ones.

What's your temp like, Toni?

We're scorching here for this time of the year! Maybe that's why turkey-girl is setting a bit early???

[Bet your babies are really growing... ]

Last week it was in the 60s & 70s.. Sunday all hell broke loose with a windstorm from the dickens (worst windstorm I'd ever seen, honestly) and the cold front that came roaring in right behind it was BRUTAL. Dropped into the teens Sunday night and yesterday it MAY have hit 42degs. Far cry from the almost 80 on Friday & Saturday! Right now it's 39degs and I doubt it's gonna hit above 45 today.

If you're talking in the aquarium it's ranging between 85-92degs, depending on where in the aquarium.

No, I was asking about outdoors.

It's ever-so-strange here. It's never hot in March. Low 80's here right now.

...80's down to teens for you, and drying winds.....ACK!

Since the hen is not in the tom's sight anymore, (he's out, she's in) he's been quite a bit noisier, but not today....I think he's feeling the heat too.

Need my setting chicken to get in the mood. There's a guy on Craigslist selling bourbon red hatching eggs. I'd love to get a clutch of turkey chicks for $15.00.

After raising poultry and waterfowl for 30 plus years I'm getting my first turkeys this year!
I've wanted to try them for a long time now. I'm getting 14 hatching eggs in April.
So many cool breeds to try but I'm getting White Midgets (thought maybe they'd be easier to contain)
and Blue and Royal Palms.
Can't wait!

Sounds like fun! I hope you keep us informed on their progress.

It's fun to see how fast they grow, and good to eat too! Have fun!

Vicky, that's fantastic.

I know they'll love it at your place!

Slightly jealous

Our *paired* critters have given us some lovely Easter gifts this year!!!

Yesterday, a pair of young Zebra finch left their nest, and we saw them for the first time. So sweet!

Today, we have baby turkeys!!! I guess those eggs were fertile!
Mom and Dad turkey are both very protective and caring toward their babies. What a happy day!

It's chilly and breezy here this morning, so Momma is keeping her young under cover, but I hope to get pictures in a day or two.

Our Easter Sunday Surprise.




There may be more...

They are so cute.

OMG! Dumpling sized! They're sooo cute!!! Turkeys are EXPENSIVE! I was going to get a little giblet & raise it up, but not for $16!! I'll just get one that's already deaded, pre-plucked, & ready for the oven for that cost!

Awwwww! What cute little fuzzies!

My buddy has 3 broad breasted bronze hens and a heirloom bronze Tom. It seems that the heirloom toms can get the job done even with the broad breasted girls.

That must be the type I have, too. Thanks, Philip.

Does he have a bunch of poults?

Nope eggs for now

I don't know what our exact incubation period was, but it didn't seem to take very long; perhaps there will be babies soon.

28 days for turkeys. I think