I believe Slate turkeys may be some of the prettiest Meleagris gallopavo I ’ve had the pleasance of witnessing . Of naturally , I ’m rather partial to blues and lavender so that may be why , but they are certainly gorgeous shuttlecock . This turkey do a grand summation to farms that are particularly passionate aboutheritageand maintaining imperil breeds .
Due to some procreation that has been less than attentive , these skirt do need some assistant obtain back to their original gloriole . This could be a fantastic meat manufacturer or breeding project if it suits your phantasy .
About Slate Turkeys
The ticket color is a genetic chromosomal mutation , similar to the blue gene found in crybaby . It is suggested that the breed originated via crossing a black and white turkey , but from what we can tell with genetic science , this may not be the case . This strain was take on into the American Poultry Association in 1874 .
Characteristics of Slate Turkeys
1. Temperament
slating turkey are comparatively well known for their docile disposition . Male can be somewhat territorial and aggressive but are more often than not agreeable . Selective breeding only even - tempered birds can go a long way in ensuring you have well - behave turkeys .
2. Size and Weight
Fully mature Republic of Turkey are a enough size , making them an ideal choice for meat product . Hens weigh approximately 18 Egyptian pound at full - grown sizing . turkey cock can librate up to 33 pound sign when they have accomplish adulthood .
3. Meat Production
As with most turkey , the main use for this stock is meat production . There are many review of this breed having flavorful and delicious meat , include a large amount of dark meat . A heritage multiply such as the Slates will take between 25 - 30 weeks to reach peak maturity , so think about that when ordering yourThanksgiving bird !
4. Egg Production
Turkey keep on for the primary use ofegg productionis not very practical . However , these turkeys lay attractive cream or weak brown spotted egg that are beautiful ! Turkeys do have slightly more specific lay time of year than chickens .
Most turkeys mainly set in the give and summertime calendar month . Many turkey steward have reported odd patterns such as lay only in the nightfall or year round , so you might never know what you ’ll get !
How to Care for Slate Turkeys
1. Feeding and Nutrition
Young turkeys grow rapidly and thus necessitate more protein than most poultry type . Poultsneed to be supplied with 30 % protein newcomer until your poults reach eight weeks one-time . Once your bird reach eight week sometime , switch them to a high - caliber good deal raiser with 20 % protein and high - calorie content . Your birds can remain on this great deal cultivator until it comes time for butchering if that ’s what you ’re raising them for .
If you have a flock year round and Meleagris gallopavo hen lay egg , it is best to put them on game dame laying feed during laying time of year . It ’s estimable to keep tom turkey on flock raiser while turkey hens wipe out the place provender . During the time of year when your turkeys are not producing eggs , the whole great deal will do just ticket on a flock raiser .
2. Housing and Fencing
Turkeys make a wild candidate forfree ranging . Fencing in an entire quite a little of turkeys requires a with child amount of materials and metre . These big birds do n’t require the shelter of a fence quite as badly as chickens may because their size dissuade the most common marauder .
isolated dogs and prairie wolf are still an issue , but predators such as mortarboard will get out them alone in search of smaller prey .
Inside your henhouse , you will need to provide 8 - 10 straight foot per grownup snort to make certain everyone has plenty of space . When building roosts , ensure to place them no more than 18 column inch off the ground . Hopping off high places for orotund birds such as turkeys can make leg and foundation problems . outside , you will require to allow for a half Akko of space for every 12 turkeys .
3. Health Issues and Care
slating Meleagris gallopavo are not specifically susceptible to any wellness event . However , Blackheadis a common job that affects many dud . Learn the star sign and prevention for Blackhead to keep a near oculus out for it and get it early on .
chicken are not as vulnerable to Blackhead as turkey are , but they can be carriers of it and get turkeys sick . Many poultry keepers will house and range their chickens and turkeys together , but it ’s recommended not to do this , to help prevent the disease from open .
As with all character of fowl , keep your eyes peeled for internal and external parasites on your turkeys such as worms , speck , and worm . Make indisputable they have plenty ofdust bathingspace to keep infestations of these annoying bug .
4. Breeding
slating dud change in several unlike colors such as lavender , ash , and black . However , if you are interested in parade your breed , it ’s best to breed for ash tree and grey colors , which is where the name “ slate ” came from .
Although some breeds of Turkey require contrived insemination , these bomb can breed naturally , making your job much easier .
Breed Alternatives
1. Black Turkeys
Some hoi polloi mull over that ticket turkeys are a resultant of crossing the Black Turkey and aWhite Turkey . There is minimal transmitted evidence to support this theory , but there are definitely some similarities . Black turkeys will enclothe out at approximately the same weight as a Slate turkey .
Did You Know?
Turkeys have marvellous vision ! While humans get to see about 180 point , turkey have a 270 - degree visual radius ! I would n’t try snarf up on one of these birdie ! On top of their howling sight , they can run up to 25 miles per hour . essentially , turkeys can probably evade your cause to catch them if they really feel like it .
This is a beautiful turkey with some fantastical qualities that make it a great option for the homesteader life ! If you ’re considering a debut into turkey keeping , this might be an excellent breed to weigh .
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