Turkeys Archives - http://www.ridgetopfarmandgarden.com/tag/turkeys/ Thu, 20 Apr 2017 18:12:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 http://www.ridgetopfarmandgarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/cropped-logo-square1-32x32.jpg Turkeys Archives - http://www.ridgetopfarmandgarden.com/tag/turkeys/ 32 32 Our Chicken Huts http://www.ridgetopfarmandgarden.com/our-chicken-huts/ Fri, 21 Mar 2014 00:20:09 +0000 http://www.ridgetopfarmandgarden.com/?p=1226 A couple years ago we got turkeys & Farmer John built them a shelter, which we referred to as the Turkey Hut. We no longer have turkeys, but the hut worked well for chickens. So well that Farmer John built a second hut just for the chickens.   THE CHICKEN HUT     INSIDE THE …

The post Our Chicken Huts appeared first on .

]]>
Chicken Hut title

A couple years ago we got turkeys & Farmer John built them a shelter, which we referred to as the Turkey Hut. We no longer have turkeys, but the hut worked well for chickens. So well that Farmer John built a second hut just for the chickens.

 

THE CHICKEN HUT

Chicken Hut turkeys
The first hut built in 2012.

 

Chicken Hut building
The bones of the hut: cattle panels, cedar siding, 2x4s & 1x2s.

 

INSIDE THE HUT

Chicken Hut inside
Left: Food & water containers hang from the ceiling. Right: No built in floor. It’s a simple dirt floor. We’ve had absolutely no problem with it.

 

Chicken Hut roost
The roost

 

Chicken Hut brooder box
Each hut has one elevated mini-coop. We have used these for many reasons including acting as a chick brooder & housing quail, show chickens, broody hens & new chickens in quarantine. Top Left: The front of one elevated coop looks like this. The other has two doors spanning the entire length. The floors are made from salvaged synthetic decking.

 

THE RUN

Chicken Hut 1
Originally, the back opened into nothing. We had movable fencing around so the birds wouldn’t escape.
Chicken Hut run
Later a small outside run was added to the coop using cattle panels and chicken wire.

 

THE DOME SHAPE

Chicken Hut snow
The dome shape was used with the hopes that snow would not pile up on the roof. So far, so good.

 

The post Our Chicken Huts appeared first on .

]]>
The Cost of Raising Turkeys http://www.ridgetopfarmandgarden.com/the-cost-of-raising-turkeys/ Mon, 07 Oct 2013 20:17:55 +0000 http://www.ridgetopfarmandgarden.com/?p=190 In the Spring of 2012, we decided to raise turkeys for the first time. It was a great experience, but cost more than we expected. Here’s the run down on our expenses.   PURCHASE COST We ordered 3 different turkey breeds: 6 Giant White = $42 5 Bronze Breasted Bronze = $35 4 Rio Grande …

The post The Cost of Raising Turkeys appeared first on .

]]>
Title - Raising Turkey Cost

In the Spring of 2012, we decided to raise turkeys for the first time. It was a great experience, but cost more than we expected. Here’s the run down on our expenses.

 

PURCHASE COST

We ordered 3 different turkey breeds:
6 Giant White = $42
5 Bronze Breasted Bronze = $35
4 Rio Grande = $40
Shipping = $20
Purchase Total = $137
Raising Turkey Cost Poults

 

FEED COST

Before we got turkeys, we read that they eat a lot. And, they do. The majority of cost for raising the turkeys was on their feed. The Bronze Breasted Bronze & Giant White Turkeys are breeds that eat a lot & grow quickly. They are ready to be butchered between 4-6 months, depending on how big you want your turkey.We started with 15 turkeys, but almost right away 2 of them died. Over the summer, a couple more died. Nine of the 15 turkeys made it either to butchering day or we kept them.

May = $90 (13 turkeys)
June = $95 (13 turkeys)
July = $140 (12 turkeys)
August = $150 (12 turkeys)
September = $105 (9 turkeys)
October = $70 (6 turkeys)
Total Feed Cost = $650

 

TOTAL COST(ISH)

Purchase Total = $137
Total Feed Cost = $650
Total for 9 Turkeys = $787
Total for 1 Turkey =
$87.40

The Giant White & Bronze Breasted Bronze Turkeys ended up being around 26 pounds when butchered. That meant they were about $3.36/pound.

It’s personal preference whether the turkey is worth that amount of money. But, I can say everybody who’s tried the turkey has thought it was the best they’ve ever had.
Raising Turkey Cost

 

THE REALITY IS IT COST MORE THAN THAT TO RAISE OUR TURKEYS

The $87.40 was easy math. It’s really more complicated than that. That cost didn’t include housing, feeding supplies or butchering costs. Our cost on those items was about $800. I’m not sure the best way to include these expenses. Although, we paid for these things, they will be with us longer than the turkeys.

Farmer John built a Turkey Hut to house the turkeys, which cost around $275.

He also bought a waterer, which he thinks is the best type for turkeys. It was around $30.

We didn’t have to pay anyone to butcher the turkeys because we have the Whiz Bang Chicken Plucker. But, we paid $500 for this best invention ever.Raising Turkey Cost
To make the monetary matters even more complicated, the 2 Rio Grande turkeys weren’t processed that first fall. They take another year to mature & get to butchering weight. So, we kept them around & ended up getting babies from them. That’s got to be worth something on the positive side, right?
Turkey Poults Incubator

 

HOW WE LIKE TO COOK THE TURKEY

Our favorite way to cook the turkey is in my mom’s electric roaster.
Raising Turkey Cost

 

Well, that was confusing. Plus, I’m not sure I really want to know the exact cost. It’s an expensive hobby/way of life. But, our kids are learning a ton & we’re showing them the benefits of good, homegrown food.

 

The post The Cost of Raising Turkeys appeared first on .

]]>
2013 Turkey Mama Hatch http://www.ridgetopfarmandgarden.com/2013-turkey-mama-hatch/ Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:53:58 +0000 http://www.ridgetopfarmandgarden.com/?p=194 Our turkey hen laid eggs under a fir tree. She was very well camouflaged & it took us awhile to find her.   We weren’t sure when exactly the eggs would hatch, or even if they would hatch. Then one day Farmer John & one of the kids spied her walking around with the new …

The post 2013 Turkey Mama Hatch appeared first on .

]]>
2013 turkey mama title sized

Our turkey hen laid eggs under a fir tree. She was very well camouflaged & it took us awhile to find her.

 

Mama Turkey1

We weren’t sure when exactly the eggs would hatch, or even if they would hatch. Then one day Farmer John & one of the kids spied her walking around with the new babies. So exciting!

She was a good mama keeping her babies in the tall grass nearly unseen. They spent most of the day searching for bugs.

Mama Turkey4

Then one day she took her clan down to the neighbors. It was quite a jaunt from our house. I’m not sure what made her travel so far, but after that we had to coop them up. We can’t have turkeys wandering the countryside. She was not happy about being in a coop.

Mama Turkey2

Mama Turkey3
3 Little Poults Standing in a Coop

I really enjoy hatching babies using an incubator, but there is something extra special about watching it happen naturally.

The post 2013 Turkey Mama Hatch appeared first on .

]]>
2013 Turkey Hatch http://www.ridgetopfarmandgarden.com/2013-turkey-hatch/ Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:50:23 +0000 http://www.ridgetopfarmandgarden.com/?p=192 Hatching turkeys wasn’t in our immediate plans, but then Farmer John found where our year old turkey hen has been laying her eggs. We could have just left them for some critter to eat or we could see if any would hatch. We chose to try hatching them. We set 7 turkey eggs in the …

The post 2013 Turkey Hatch appeared first on .

]]>
Turkey Hatch title sized

Hatching turkeys wasn’t in our immediate plans, but then Farmer John found where our year old turkey hen has been laying her eggs. We could have just left them for some critter to eat or we could see if any would hatch. We chose to try hatching them.

Turkey Hatch1

We set 7 turkey eggs in the incubator with chicken eggs that had already been in there for a few days. We knew from the beginning that we would have a little problem when it comes time for the chicks to hatch. Chicks take 21 days to hatch. Turkeys take 28 days, plus the turkeys were getting a later start. We didn’t want the turkey eggs in the incubator when the chicks were hatching. But, we didn’t know for sure if they were fertile or if they would develop. So, we decided to set them & worry about what to do if they actually developed.

To our amazement, 4 eggs were developing!

 

Three of the 4 eggs still looked good when it came time for our chick Hatch Batch #4 to go into lockdown. The 4th one looked like it had quit, but I left it anyway just in case I was wrong.

The turkey eggs had to move out of the incubator while the chicks were hatching, so Farmer John used his MacGyver skills to make a temporary incubator out of materials we had at home. The only thing we had to buy was a light bulb.

Turkey Hatch2

The thermostat was set to slightly less than 100°. The thermostat turned a light on when the incubator needed warming up & turned the light off when it reached the optimal temp.

We used shot glasses with water to raise the humidity.

Farmer John’s original plan was to put the same insulated foam from the walls on the top, but he didn’t have enough material. Instead, he made this super fancy top out of foil & saran wrap. It may seem kooky, but it worked. I was so nervous that this move to the new incubator was going to harm the developing turkeys.

After the chicks hatched we moved the turkey eggs back to the original incubator and placed them in the turner. I tossed the 4th egg that still didn’t look like it was developing anymore.

Turkey Hatch3
When it came time to take the turkey eggs out of the turner & ready them for lockdown I saw one poult had already pipped – but at the wrong end of the shell. I candled them before locking them down & there was movement in all three eggs! I was thrilled they had made it this far. I was surprised how heavy they felt compared to chicken eggs & I could feel the poult moving around inside the shell.
Turkey Hatch4
On day 27, Egg C started pippin’ & zippin’.
I was able to catch most of Egg C hatching on video. The egg wiggled & wobbled & peeped & cheeped.

Our first incubator hatched turkey poult!

 

Turkey Hatch5
Egg B pipped and on Day 27 we could see it’s beak breaking through the membrane. But late in the day on Day 28, it was no further along. It was wobbling like crazy in the egg & peeping, though. I finally convinced Farmer John to help it out. I know that’s always risky, but I knew it was still alive & didn’t seem to be making any progress. So, Farmer John carefully cracked around the shell & tore the membrane. For quite awhile it just layed there & I thought it wouldn’t make it. But, a couple hours later it was up & perky just like the other one. Egg G never pipped, zipped or peeped.
Turkey Hatch6
Our 2 hatched Turkeys! I am really hoping Chick B thrives, not just for me but for Chick C. Turkeys are social creatures, I’d feel bad if it didn’t have a friend.
Turkeys are hungry rascals, so I’m not sure how many we will hatch. We spent a small fortune on feeding them last year, but everyone has really loved the dinners from those turkeys. This hatch may have been a one time gig… or knowing us it may be only the beginning. Either way, I’m glad we tried it & we have 2 new turkeys.

 

The post 2013 Turkey Hatch appeared first on .

]]>
Chicken Waterers http://www.ridgetopfarmandgarden.com/chicken-waterers/ Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:48:39 +0000 http://www.ridgetopfarmandgarden.com/?p=144 We have tried a variety of watering methods & the thing that has worked best for us are the use of waterer nipples. Farmer John attaches 2, 3 or 4 nipples in a bucket or similar container then hangs the bucket in the coop or brooder. Sometimes he adds 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar …

The post Chicken Waterers appeared first on .

]]>
Poultry Nipple Waterer

We have tried a variety of watering methods & the thing that has worked best for us are the use of waterer nipples. Farmer John attaches 2, 3 or 4 nipples in a bucket or similar container then hangs the bucket in the coop or brooder. Sometimes he adds 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to the water, as well. This keeps the water clear & free from algae type growth. It also acts as a natural dewormer for the chickens.

THE NIPPLE

Chicken Nipple Waterer
The nipple we use is a push in style, as opposed to screw in. Farmer John drills a small hole in a container and the nipples attach easily.

There are many places to get the nipples, and as they are becoming more popular the farm stores are starting to carry them, but Farmer John orders ours from QC Supply. We’ve had them a number of years, and they haven’t needed replacing.

 

HOW WE USE THEM

Rhode Island Red Waterer
The nipples are attached to a 5 gallon bucket (or something similar). The bucket hangs right at chicken height & water doesn’t drip out of the nipple until a bird pushes against it.
A definite advantage to this type of system is the ease of refilling the waterer. I don’t have to fight with an annoying plastic container that doesn’t want to unscrew. I just put a hose in the bucket.

 

Chicks Nipple Waterer
My other favorite thing about this set up is that it keeps the brooder clean! Chicks can’t step in, poop in or drop food in this waterer. They learn very quickly how to get a drink.

 

Chicken Nipple Waterer
Waterers hanging in a chicken tractor, duck pen & brooder. We adjust the height of the bucket as needed.

 

Nipple Waterer
Our friends at Sain Creek Poultry & Hobby Farm don’t use buckets, but have quite a system of pipe through much of their coop with the nipples attached.

 

Chicken Nipple Waterer
Pekin Duck, Coturnix Quail, Turkey Poult

We use this watering method for all our feathered friends.

 

Here’s to Happy Chickens/Turkeys/Quail/Ducks & Clean Waterers!

 

The post Chicken Waterers appeared first on .

]]>
Our Chicken Tractors http://www.ridgetopfarmandgarden.com/our-chicken-tractors/ Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:25:08 +0000 http://www.ridgetopfarmandgarden.com/?p=1221 A number of years ago Farmer John told me about chicken tractors. I thought he was crazy. Cuckoo. It did not go with my vision of a cutesy coop surrounded by flowering perennials and a picket fence. I also couldn’t imagine why you would want to move your chickens throughout the yard. Let’s be realistic, …

The post Our Chicken Tractors appeared first on .

]]>
Chicken Tractor title

A number of years ago Farmer John told me about chicken tractors. I thought he was crazy. Cuckoo. It did not go with my vision of a cutesy coop surrounded by flowering perennials and a picket fence. I also couldn’t imagine why you would want to move your chickens throughout the yard.

Let’s be realistic, my cutesy coop was not practical. The majority of our chickens are livestock, not pets. We have to house them in ways that are efficient for the purpose & cost effective.

Luckily, that’s where Farmer John & I work together & both compromise a little. He tries to be efficient & cost effective while keeping my cutesy stuff in mind.

He came up with a chicken tractor that’s both efficient & looks nice. The bones of the tractor are 1/2 inch electrical conduit, tin roofing & plywood.

 

THE CHICKEN TRACTOR

Chicken Tractor 1

Chicken Tractor 2
Right: The inside of the covered area. In the back, two nest boxes. In the front, the roost. Bottom Left: The hinged thing at the top is a vent. After having the coops awhile Farmer John came up with an easier way to feed the chickens. He drilled a hole in the front and placed PVC pipe through it. I don’t think it works as well as he had hoped, though. The tin roofing is sharp at the edges, so the black foam is placed around it to protect us a bit.

 

THE ROOST

Chicken Tractor roosts

 

THE DOORS

Chicken Tractor 5
The main door is good sized to easily move chickens in & out of the tractor.

 

Chicken Tractor 3
Left: A male & his two ladies looking through the door that separates the inside of the tractor to the run. Right: Rhode Island Red peeking out the nest box. The door makes it easy to collect eggs.

 

MORE THAN JUST CHICKENS

Chicken Tractor 4
We’ve used the tractors for more than just chickens. Perch, the turkey, lived in one for awhile. Sally, our muscovy duck, hung out in there for the first few weeks after we brought her/him home.

 

CHICKEN ROW

We have 3 similar, but not exactly the same, chicken tractors. They have all done their share of moving around our property, but lately have been sitting in a more permanent place alongside our two chicken huts.

Chicken Tractor snow2014

 

The post Our Chicken Tractors appeared first on .

]]>
3rd Eyelid on Turkeys http://www.ridgetopfarmandgarden.com/3rd-eyelid-on-turkeys/ Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:56:42 +0000 http://www.ridgetopfarmandgarden.com/?p=188 Like many birds (including chickens), turkeys have a third eyelid called a nictitating membrane. This eyelid is used to moisten the eye & clear out debris. We generally see the 2 eyelids that move up & down to meet in the middle. However, turkeys also have a third eyelid. It is nearly transparent, but can …

The post 3rd Eyelid on Turkeys appeared first on .

]]>
Title - Turkey 3rd Eyelid

Like many birds (including chickens), turkeys have a third eyelid called a nictitating membrane. This eyelid is used to moisten the eye & clear out debris.

We generally see the 2 eyelids that move up & down to meet in the middle.

Turkey 3rd Eyelid eye closed

However, turkeys also have a third eyelid. It is nearly transparent, but can be seen. In this turkey pic the nictitating membrane is almost half way across the eye.

Turkey 3rd Eyelid

 

In the photo on the left, the nictitating membrane is fully across this eye, making it appear hazy. It’s always such a bummer when I get a great turkey or chicken pic, but the eyes are hazy. They’re slightly creepy looking. Totally normal, but still weird.

The photo on the right is the same turkey as the left photo, but I snapped the pic just a second later. The third eyelid is not visible. And, not quite so creepy.

Turkey 3rd Eyelid

 

Turkey 3rd Eyelid

 

The post 3rd Eyelid on Turkeys appeared first on .

]]>
Color Changing Caruncle http://www.ridgetopfarmandgarden.com/color-changing-caruncle/ Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:41:41 +0000 http://www.ridgetopfarmandgarden.com/?p=186 Before we raised turkeys, I didn’t know they had caruncles. I also didn’t know caruncle was even a word. I’ve since learned that the bumpy non-feathery skin on their face & neck is known as their caruncles. Technically the wattle is also a caruncle. The coolest thing about their caruncles is that they change color. …

The post Color Changing Caruncle appeared first on .

]]>
Title - Turkey caruncle

Before we raised turkeys, I didn’t know they had caruncles. I also didn’t know caruncle was even a word. I’ve since learned that the bumpy non-feathery skin on their face & neck is known as their caruncles. Technically the wattle is also a caruncle.

The coolest thing about their caruncles is that they change color. Typically they are a peachy color. As the turkey’s mood changes, so does his caruncle.

The larger caruncles on a tom’s neck are the major caruncles. Hens do not have these, although they do have small caruncles.

Color Changing Caruncle
Left photo: Tom’s blue face with peachy caruncles. Right photo: Caruncles changing from peach to bright red.

 

Turkey hen Caruncle
Hen with small caruncles

 

Caruncles, one of the interesting things about a turkey.

 

The post Color Changing Caruncle appeared first on .

]]>
Porch Turkeys http://www.ridgetopfarmandgarden.com/porch-turkeys/ Mon, 10 Sep 2012 22:26:18 +0000 http://www.ridgetopfarmandgarden.com/?p=2269 One day a few weeks ago Farmer John let the turkeys out & didn’t get them put back in their turkey hut before roosting time. They all decided to roost on our front porch. Is it weird that I didn’t mind them there? They were kind of fun to watch. I don’t normally get to …

The post Porch Turkeys appeared first on .

]]>
Ridgetop Farm & Garden | Porch Turkeys

One day a few weeks ago Farmer John let the turkeys out & didn’t get them put back in their turkey hut before roosting time. They all decided to roost on our front porch. Is it weird that I didn’t mind them there? They were kind of fun to watch. I don’t normally get to see them during the night. I learned two things. One is that they are light sleepers. Every little sound and their heads were up & eyes peering around. The second thing is that they look kind of dead when they sleep.

The turkeys had a sleepover on our porch.
Ridgetop Farm & Garden | Porch Turkeys

Ridgetop Farm & Garden | Porch Turkeys

 

The post Porch Turkeys appeared first on .

]]>