broody turkey

I promise the turkey hen is in there, a makeshift nest by the road, under a fallen tree.  This photo was taken about 2 feet away from her.  Isn't it amzing how well a bird that is black and white striped can blend into green green grass.? You can see her if you look at the center of the photos and go up and to the left a little.

turkeys and apple blossoms

bird update.

The turkey tom does seem to have made a full recovery. He's back to his old ways us chasing us through the yard, gobbling at every foreign sound, and breeding his hens.

Thanks to Craigslist, I have golden sebrights now.  I have tried one other time to raise this breed, and didn't make it in to a breeding season with them.  I got a great deal on this pair, and another adult hen with 2 chicks (prob roos) at her side. The sebright bantam is also available in the silver variety that is black and white.  I'll probably take the extra little roosters to Lucasville this weekend and try to trade them for an adult rooster from different bloodlines.

turkeys

The tom seems to be feeling 100%.  He followed his girls around all weekend long, and even started to gobble again.  We'll probably give him one more yogurt treament, then leave him alone to be a turkey again. I expect them to start laying soon, if they haven't already got a nest hidden somewhere.

feeling better.

The turkey is still a little swollen around his neck, but last night he was moving around a lot more. He's also pooping again, which seemingly stopped for a couple of days.  I'm looking at that as a good sign.  Infact last night he roosted in the apple tree with his lady friends.  It may be too soon to say he's made a full recovery, but things are definately looking up.  Thanks everyone for your well wishes for this guy.

One Sick Turkey

The turkey tom is sick.  He's either eaten something that hasn't agreed with him, or the fresh green grass has killed all his beneficial bacteria.  Most likely a condition called sour crop.  We've been tubing him and giving his crop  salt water rinses, and then some yogurt.  He's been breeding the girls for a couple of weeks now, so if he dies, we should still have some fertile eggs.  But We're hoping for a full recovery.

birds

Here's what the turkey hen looks like when she's not under a clothes basket.

And a tom that is happy when she's not.

Here's what they look like when they've just gone to bed.

They have to share this bed with a whole bunch of banties. 

On nights when it rains, they prefer the comforts of a more traditional chicken coop...otherwise the apple tree is good enough. added to the list of chores...prune apple tree.

The geese have definately started breeding.  Anyday now there should be eggs waiting for us out there.

The chickens (big stock and banties) have also started  to gear up with their egg production.mmm.

protection...

Last night when we got home the clothes basket was moving around on it's own as if haunted.  Upon closer inspection, it because clear that one of the turkey hens had somehow managed to get trapped under it, and couldn't figure out how to get free.  Of course another theory is, because it is finally spring, and her big tom boyfriend is ready to breed... she was seeking protection from his advances.  Sorry buddy, maybe she's just not that into you.   It was pretty funny to see that basket walking around the yard. I'm just glad it's warm enough to acutally use the clothesline again. 

No news to report about the lambs.  Malia is still being very lazy about getting up on her own.  If she is up and standing she can get along fine, but if she falls in the wrong position she has trouble getting up.  The twins are fine and about ready to get outside and start bouncing around the barnyard.  Hopefully more than one of these beasts will be sheared this weekend.