Rescued Turkey Poults and Bantams

When my son went down to see the turkey poults and bantams this morning, he found that the turkey hen had stepped on and squashed two turkey poults, and the other turkey poult had skin missing from its neck and was dead also. The turkey Mums are so clumsy – the bantams are usually quick enough to keep out of her way, but the turkey poults are slower moving.

Out of seven turkey poults, we have lost three, so we have moved them into our laundry with a light set up above the box to keep them warm. We have also given them crushed grain and a small water dish, so that they won’t drown in it. Aren’t they just so cute – I know where to find my daughter if she goes missing.

AND

Guess where the turkey hen was?  She was looking for her chickens, and flew up on top of the car shed roof. My husband has removed her from the roof, and now will trim her wing so that it doesn’t happen again.

The bantams and turkey poults are lovely and warm now, and they have been eating and drinking well, so they should thrive and grow quickly. Just as the turkey poults and bantams will grow into adulthood using the warmth of the light, we, too, will grow into the sort of people that God wants us to be if we walk in the light, as He is in the light. Praise God that we still have some turkey poults to be able to grow into adulthood!

Turkey Poults & Bantam Chicks

Today our turkey hen has started hatching her chicks, and they are so lively – my son held the newborn turkey poult in front of him, but next to him so that it couldn’t jump out of his hands. So far she has hatched four turkey poults and two bantam chickens. She is still sitting on all of the other eggs, and some of them have cracks in them, so we are praying that God will grant the increase. Turkey poults are very similar to ducklings when they hatch, especially in colouration.

We have another broody hen, so we intend sitting her on bantam eggs and turkey eggs, especially if the turkey won’t continue to sit. Turkey meat is the most delicious meat that you can eat, and it is also the least allergenic for people with asthma and allergy problems. Did you know that a group of turkeys is called a rafter? Turkeys are frequently used for Thanksgiving and for Christmas in many countries.

Our gobbler is delightful, and he talks with me whenever I see him – scary thought eh, talking to a turkey? He doesn’t like the males in our family, but he is ever so friendly to my daughter and me – perhaps he thinks that we are a part of his rafter. The protuberance from the top of the gobbler’s beak is called a snood, and  our turkey gobbler’s name is “Snood”. He’s ever so cute!