Recent content by chickenannie

Hi Whitney, Thanks for your email. I would be happy to sell (or give) my 4 Bourbon Red hens to you for your Bourbon Red tom. My other 10 turkeys are now sold for Thanksgiving, but I am looking for a good home for the 4 hens. They are really great hens and I would rather give them to a good home...

I have 10 half-grown Bourbon Red Heritage Turkeys that will be ready for Thanksgiving or for Spring 2013 breeding. They are $40 apiece (7 males, 3 females). These were hatched here on the farm in April and are free-range, raised naturally on grass. You must pick them up here and it's best if...

Quote: Thanks for posting the pic. I guess my turkeys' beaks are ok. I'll stop worrying about it. It's fine to ask ... that's what we're all here for! How great to have a forum to ask all our chicken questions. Do yours' beaks resemble the ones in my photo?

Quote: What breed are you looking for????? I'd be curious to see some a reputable breeders' Bourbon Red turkeys in my area.

Quote: This may be true, but the picture you paint of the "clueless Hatchery customer" is not exactly fair since those people a) would have no way of knowing otherwise unless the info and facts are put out there, and b) wouldn't know where to go to buy from breeders anyways. It's like my...

Quote: Good idea my breeder Barred Rock https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/63711_chickens_013.jpg a hatchery barred rock https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/63711_brroo3_07_2.jpg Notice the barring the hatchery bird has more of a cuckoo pattern then barred. Can you go...

Quote: Yes, clearly I don't know my breeds very well... at least not these!!! You will hate this story, but the reason I have several black langshans is because I went to an auction (only once ever) and saw these brilliantly sheened black hens and bought them on impulse. Well, they were...

Quote: No offense, but Honestly, it may just be what you determine as 'creepy-crawly'. Some people consider having chemical pesticides all over their coop, chickens, eggs, hands and shoes JUST as creepy crawly. I never understood how pouring pesticides around one's house and property to...

I may be slow... but i think I'm starting to get the picture. Very helpful info.... very interesting topic.... though I'm still not sure how to locate a reputable breeder!!! maybe I'll have to start visiting some...

Quote: I think you did explain it just now (above). That statement makes sense that hatcheries would be selecting for egg production to ensure their own stock. But they must always be selecting for the breed characteristics at some point, or they'd just go off the deep end! Hmmmm... So...

By the way, I'm a big fan of Langshans!! Great birds!!

Quote: Yes, hatchery birds are much smaller. Most will not mother because they have been bred more towards production instead of breeding towards the intended nature of the birds. Oh it's true, you'll have birds that will become broody and will raise birds from hatchery stock, but more likely...

Hmmm... this is all very interesting. When I'm less tired tommorrow, I'm going to go back over what you've all written and try to make better sense of it. I still feel like there's some things that are not clear. I guess from my perspective, every breeder I've met tells me how much more...

Quote: It sounds like many of you are saying that hatchery birds are small. Whereas a breeder of heritage birds are meatier, I'm guessing for the purpose of butchering? I for one, am not concerned about showing. It's not part of my goal or mission. I had always looked at show birds as the...

Quote: Always ask to see pictures of the parent stock. If you're wanting birds that meet or at least close to the SOP get an APA Standard and read up on the breeds you're interested in so you'll know what to look for. Join the breed clubs.....most of the time you can find reputable...