Heritage Turkeys

[Charlie M]

I've had some red bourbon turkeys for a few years now but they are getting along and don't lay well and this winter my tom died so I've been thinking about getting some more. I try to stay with a heritage breeds because they will breed and hatch new ones and I don't need the big breeds commercially available. Couple of weeks ago there were heritage breed turkeys in Tractor supply which isn't too common. As with such birds in Tractor supply the sign just says the lot can be mixed breed. At that time they were $20 per bird. I know you can buy a 15 lb bird in groceries stores at Thanksgiving for less money but that's not the point - I like to raise them and I really like the gobbler going off everything something happens. I went back last week they had only 5 left and they were marked down to $10/bird. Often times that happens in TSC if you catch them right and the birds you want have been there a bit too long for them. I grabbed them and they are in my brooder right now. Its looking like they are going to be a white turkey. I'm hoping they are not Royal Palms as I have had them in the past and they are bit too small for what I want but I will take where ever I have. I think a Holland turkey is white and considerably bigger so I hope that is what they are. The lady at the check out commented on buying turkeys this early and I told here it was never too early to start planning Thanksgiving. Next Thanksgiving stop will be to plant potatoes and squash in the garden - potatoes around May 1st and squash around the end of the month.

 

[Fred Werring]

I was in Rural King last fall when they marked down some heritage poults. Bought 3, turned out to be standard Bronze breed, 1 jake and 2 jennys. Pretty birds. But the tom died a couple weeks ago, unknown reason, and I miss his gobbling. Need another for the girls.