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#1 2009-11-05 16:38:09
- Dom
- A.C.E. Addicted
- From: Qu'Appelle SK
- Registered: 2009-07-15
- Posts: 945
Turkeys
A bald eagle decided to take up residence on our property.
I have been toying with the idea, but now I am seriously considering getting a turkey. Do all turkeys make good watch dogs?
Or are there certain breeds? If I where to say buy some nicholas whites, could I keep one as a watch dog? Or will they over eat and die like cornish?
Or would it be better to get a heritage breed?
I also want a few to put in the freezer.
Now I'm kicking my self that I didn't take up that deal with hidden river ( I wasn't allowed any until this eagle showed up and a chicken vanished! 
)
Breeding for 2010
Golden Laced polish, Silkies, OEGB, Buff orpingtons, Barred Rocks, RIRs, ameruacanas, Salmon Faverolles and Cuckoo Marans. Mutts and crosses too.
Muscovies, Rouens, maybe snowy calls.
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2009-11-05 16:38:09
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#2 2009-11-05 18:11:36
- Arcticsun
- A.C.E. Addicted
- From: Wetaskiwin AB
- Registered: 2009-02-02
- Posts: 983
Re: Turkeys
I like the Bronze for being watchdogs and they are still human friendly and have lots of size (but not too much!)size. I found them to be hardy and easy to deal with. And they are real tasty!. But if you want a real screamer, get a guinea. HOLY COW!!!! They will let you know if a mouse farts in the forrest!. Well maybe not that bad, but they are the ultimate alarm system. You just have to figure out how to keep them contained. They are very easy keepers and breed very well from what I understand.
Life is too short to not raise chickens.
And turkeys too!
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#3 2009-11-05 19:33:18
- FarmerJane
- A.C.E. Addicted
- From: Near Dawson Creek, BC :P
- Registered: 2009-10-09
- Posts: 134
Re: Turkeys
I am now the freakishly pleased owner of a bronze turkey trio 
. I love them. Geese are proving to be wonderful guard/alarm animals too. If you want to wait for eggs I might/should have some in the spring.
Our little zoo : 2 Horses, 2 ponies, 8 sheep, 2 goats, a llama, 3 geese, 3 turkeys, a bunch of chickens, 4 dogs, 3 cats, 5 rabbits, two children and soon hopefully quail.
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#4 2009-11-05 20:13:29
- Hidden River
- Moderator
- From: Maple Creek, SK
- Registered: 2008-02-25
- Posts: 3849
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Re: Turkeys
I think my guineas are far better watchdogs then my turkeys, when the guineas speak everyone (including the turkeys) run for cover. I am guessing when you lost your chicken the guineas were not out there with them? I have heard of owls and eagles taking guineas as well, but mostly at dusk or dawn when their defenses are down.
Breeding for 2009
Silver Laced, Blue Laced Red, and Gold Laced Wyandottes, Black Australorps, Ameraucana (Easter eggers), Speckled Sussex, Barred Rock, Rhode Island Reds, Blue Cochin, Black and Exchequer Leghorn, Buff Orpington, Salmon Faverolle. Pilgrim Geese, White and Brown Chinese Geese, Saxony, Rouen, Chocolate and Blue Muscovy Ducks, Call and Australian Spotted Ducks.
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#5 2009-11-05 20:31:47
- Dom
- A.C.E. Addicted
- From: Qu'Appelle SK
- Registered: 2009-07-15
- Posts: 945
Re: Turkeys
My guineas are only about 2 months old, but not sure. Still too small to be outside I think.
I think then I will just get the guineas out there as watch dogs.
But I would still like some eating turkeys, probably just the ones from a hatchery would work though
Breeding for 2010
Golden Laced polish, Silkies, OEGB, Buff orpingtons, Barred Rocks, RIRs, ameruacanas, Salmon Faverolles and Cuckoo Marans. Mutts and crosses too.
Muscovies, Rouens, maybe snowy calls.
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#6 2009-11-05 23:52:34
- Dom
- A.C.E. Addicted
- From: Qu'Appelle SK
- Registered: 2009-07-15
- Posts: 945
Re: Turkeys
I'm going to hijack this thread now
How the bloody heck do you introduce 2 crowing roosters? I have a BR and an RIR that both crow, but they are in the same pen and A ok with each other.
Now I moved my BR over with my Maran who is crowing too, and the BR lost the back of his Comb and the Maran lost part of his earlobe... 
Breeding for 2010
Golden Laced polish, Silkies, OEGB, Buff orpingtons, Barred Rocks, RIRs, ameruacanas, Salmon Faverolles and Cuckoo Marans. Mutts and crosses too.
Muscovies, Rouens, maybe snowy calls.
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#7 2009-11-06 00:48:20
- schipperke
- A.C.E. Addicted
- From: Carnwood, Alberta
- Registered: 2009-07-15
- Posts: 390
Re: Turkeys
I love my Bronze Turkeys. Their gobbles are loud but I doubt they scare anyone. Arcticsun gave me one, and I bought 3 more, but now I have 12 of different ages and am wondering where they came from.
I don't think they would scare away a Bald Eagle though.
Sue
Foxhill Farms: Home of Jet Kennels outstanding registered Schipperkes as well as Rare American Blue and White Rabbits, a variety of chickens, 2 cats, 2 Keeshonden an Australian Cattle Dog and a very patient and tolerant husband!
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#8 2009-11-06 06:40:29
- sheeplady2
- A.C.E. Addicted
- From: St. Paul Alberta
- Registered: 2009-09-01
- Posts: 181
Re: Turkeys
Sue I'm with you there...went to the Tofield auction and came back with 2 pairs and a trio of Bronzes. Not really sure what the heck I was thinking although our family was experiencing some real stress at the time and I'm pleading temporary insanity. For guarding you can't beat guineas and why would you have to confine them... they know exactly where home is and seem to have a wonderful sense of boundaries. We have a main highway at the front of our property and my guineas will go down and browse for bugs in the summer and knock on wood I have never had one fly out into the traffic they always fly towards their barn which is a long ways from the road.
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#9 2009-11-06 11:34:10
- doug0461
- A.C.E. Addicted
- From: northwestern alberta
- Registered: 2008-11-08
- Posts: 2510
Re: Turkeys
Bald Eagles are pretty much a fish eating birds. They are also an opportunistic feeder, they will not pass on a chance to dine on something that is already dead ie: road kill -deer or moose. Myself I wouldn't even worry about it. I wouldn't jump all over the chance of a missing bird and a new neighbor like that, but if it gets you turkeys - I can help you.
Last edited by doug0461 (2009-11-06 11:37:43)
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#10 2009-11-06 11:48:14
- Labman
- A.C.E. Addicted
- From: N* of #16,East of Edmonton
- Registered: 2009-03-01
- Posts: 370
Re: Turkeys
I was wondering about that also, my experience with Eagles....Large White Headed Raven.
They generally don't even eat live fish, unless they can steal it from an Osprey. Carrion birds of the Nth degree.
That's one of the reasons, Ben Franklin wanted the Wild Turkey as the official U.S. bird and not the Bald Raven, er I mean Eagle.
They are not even designed to be able to attack ground prey from the air, like a Hawk or Falcon can, they land close to the carrion and then do a hop/shuffle over to it.
If an Eagle got one of your Chickens, it was most likley already dead.
But I looks like you might be able to use it as an excuse to get you your Turkeys.
3 RIR, 3 B.Orps., 12 Babcock 300s, 5 Part. Chanties,3 B.Chanties, 2 Appenzellers.
The Boys= 1 Part. Chantie., 1 Barred Rock, 1 Appenzeller.
2 Labs.,1 Bichon Frise, 1 Lazy EX-Tom, 1 Dbl maned Blue-eyed Lionhead Doe, 1 Blk/Wht. EX Buck, 11 Ring-necked Doves and .... a variety of Exotic Pheasants.
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#11 2009-11-06 13:10:45
- Dom
- A.C.E. Addicted
- From: Qu'Appelle SK
- Registered: 2009-07-15
- Posts: 945
Re: Turkeys
I'm OK with guineas actually. They breed well and are very interesting birds.
As for turkeys-I will probably just get some nicholas whites in the spring from a local hatchery.
Breeding for 2010
Golden Laced polish, Silkies, OEGB, Buff orpingtons, Barred Rocks, RIRs, ameruacanas, Salmon Faverolles and Cuckoo Marans. Mutts and crosses too.
Muscovies, Rouens, maybe snowy calls.
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