Hi all! We just got a new Turkey (about 3 weeks old) and I was wondering what kind of social animal they are. I think it is a male, an now it is very friendly and human aquainted. Should it be by itself or with a female/male? If you have any other advice of any help it would be appreciated.

~Corky

Hi Corky - I would advise that you get your turkey some turkey or other fowl friends. It's fun when little turkeys are human bonded, but when they mature, it's trouble for you and the turkey! He or she will be extremely frustrated and start trying to dominate people all the time. This will not be his or her fault, but you will grow to dislike having the turkey around, and so will anyone who visits your house! Really, it's better if you don't let this happen. Good luck. Colleen

colleen- ahhhh help
me and my TOM (blue slate) are really close- hes like 4 months old and follows me evrywhere. i can pick him up and carry him around... this isnt good? i luv this guy but dont want trouble when he's huge..

Oh, Mamahen, the stories I could tell you! I gave the advice based on our experience with a tom named Bill. A wonderful turkey, very beloved by us and everyone in the neighborhood - that is, until he became an utter nusance as he neared maturity and became territorial, desireous of females, and protective of EVERYTHING. Bill didn't know he was a turkey. He attacked and threatened every person, car, truck, or other animal that got too close to me, my youngest son, our house....you get the picture. No one could get up our driveway without Bill attacking their vehicle, let alone get out of it. He even started hiding and waiting for the mail car and jumping out at the poor mailman's arm from the weeds in the front ditch! We still adore Bill, but he has to live in a big pen, and he has a female for company, but he still prefers people - or at least 2 people! No one but myself and my son can go in the pen without getting nailed by Bill. This does not endear him to my husband or my other two kids! Contrast Bill with our Black Spanish Tom, Juan, who never bothers anyone, knows he's a turkey, because we put him with other turkeys right away and didn't shower him with love and attention. I really would strongly suggest you get him enclosed in a nice place with other poultry - turkeys like to hurd chickens around, too, but the best thing to do is put him with a female and visit the pen lots. I'm not kidding when I say you will probably get to a point where you don't want to be near him otherwise, and that would be very sad. Love your turkey, but try to let him be a turkey now if you can manage it - that's really the best way to love him. Good luck - maybe it will work out differently for you. Colleen

Hello loooking to buy wild Turkey feather from a licensed breeder. If I can't find feathers I am going to have to raise my own. Would prefer to buy feathers.
I would like to purchase Rio Grande Turkey feathers. Can anyone help or know where to send me .
Thanks alot, Ronda katee@wcnet.net

I have two 1 year old tom turkeys, one bronze and one white one. They both have an odd protruding black tuft of course feathers growing out of their breasts. Does anyone know what this is?

Also, is it bad for their health if they're fat? Both of my turkeys look really heavy and seem to be clumsy and slow when they walk. I give them only turkey finisher and rolled corn now. Is there a special diet for adult turkeys? (They're just pets we aren't raising them to eat!)
thanks!

question, anyone. Can turkey and duck eggs be eaten like other poultry? If so, how will I be able to tell a fertilized egg from a non? Does it even make a difference and I should go ahead and eat it anyway? Help, Allen

A&E, The texture of the egg white may vary and the flavor of the yolk, also, but not much. All eggs are very good to eat. As far as fertilized or not--it doesn't make the slightest difference. NO one can tell if an egg is fertile, until it has been incubated for 5 or 6 days--and then you would not want to eat it, anyway. Fresh eggs are VERY GOOD. CJR

AS a mwtter of fact, duck eggs are thought to be superior for baking and pasta making. I would not want to eat fish eating duck eggs. but my duck eggs taste like chicken eggs. they eat the same feed.

How Can I tell If my turkey eggs are fertile? Do you see a red spot like the fertile chicken eggs when you open them up? Are the white tendrils attached to the yolk a sign of fertility? Don't want to sell eggs as fertile until I know they are. These are first year hens 3 and 1 tom. Please answer here or email at Trekcip@aol.com Thanks

The best way to tell if an egg is fertile, or not, is to candle the egg.
Take a box, cut a hole in one end big enough for a lightbulb.
Cut a hole in the other side as big as the egg, but not big enough for the egg to be able to go through the hole.
Do this in a darkened room.
If the egg looks clear, it's not fertile.
If there's a darkened spot, it's most likely fertile.
It's also best to wait a few days to check.