[princesspiggy]

we got 4 norfolk black turkey hens today. we just need to find a suitable N/B stag. does anyone know of any for sale, preferably in N/E scotland.
theyre quite gorgeous. wev had hybrid turkeys for xmas every year a for a while now but these are our first breeding and pedigree ones.
does anyone else breed turkeys on here?
 

[Hermit]

I breed Wild Americans and have a Norfolk white hen to cross with the American Stag to produce some larger quicker growing as well as the smaller slower growing pedigree Americans. We dont sell many out though as we treat them like hens and eat turkey all year round.   I only feed mine at night as they graze during the day so relatively cheap to keep.

[princesspiggy]

i now need to fence them in as they are wandering away. they are jumping over 5'4" fence, was planning on putting up a 6' or 6'6" fence around their house then when they are more settled then can have the run of an acre paddock with them sheep.
BUT last night they were on the house roof? what height fence shall i put up, im really wanting to collect their eggs for the incy so need to know where they are laying, also we have stacks of foxes.
they are so beautiful compared to our previous hybrids 

[Hermit]

Mine are in with the goats behind normal stock fencing but I clip their wings! They can still get over the fence with a wind behind them though.Mine have a stable next to the goats and they go to lay in there. In the stable I have nestboxes at different heights, two on the floor and two about three feet off the floor. They do lay their eggs on the floor inside as well Cant help with foxes as we dont have them up here.

[Sylvia]

I kept turkeys years ago (I sound like somebody's old Granny now!) and kept them in a large pen with a house to go in and everything nice, but they still insisted on roosting in the trees.
I then had a taller run with roosts put in it and netting over the top, thinking well, stay out then! >: Lo and behold they decided to use their house every night. But I think they are happier roosting high up.

[princesspiggy]

i never thought about clipping the wings. is that just cutting the 1st 2 flight feathers? it might work until they settle down, how high would a roost have to be to fox safe? 
they were last years hatch, when will they start laying and for how long?

[Hermit]

Mine are locked in every night, they go in as that is when they are fed. We clip the whole of one wing on one side apart from the end few long ones so they look normal when the wings are closed, same with our geese. The wind up here will take them for miles with any feathers more than what we leave them. We have a covered pen for youngstock  made from a scaffolding frame with a fishing net over. No trees tall enough or strong enough to take them roosting but we give high perches inside.

[princesspiggy]

i think clipping their wings is the way to go for now cos id be upset if they got snaffled by a fox, how exactly do u do it?
- is it just trimming their long wing feathers short with scissors? is it pain free? bit of a stupid question, i know 

[Hermit]

Been trying to explain by typing but not working!!! so I googled it and there is an excellent video on u tube on how to do it. I leave the end feathers on so they dont look clipped when closed.

[princesspiggy]

thanks x todays the day 

[princesspiggy]

wer still looking for a stag, they are laying really well, maybe i should consider a different breed of stag this year? ..were so hoping to breed some poults   

[Andrew]

Have sent you a pm about our stag.

[princesspiggy]

thanks, i have pm u