Of the 6 turkeys that hatched, 5 were just . . turkeys, but the 6th one . . I’ve fallen in love with him. When the turkeys hatched, I put them under the little Brinsea incubator in the house for about 24 hours and then took them over to the shop where they went in the regular brooder – a big Rubbermaid container with a heat lamp.
Whistler
This last little guy is special and he’s so lovable . . he sits in the house and chatters. When he hears us talking, he chatters back with us. He makes different sounds, like he’s talking back with us. His name is Whistler and he’s the only one of the turkeys that got a name.
The other day we were out and there was this old guy and he started talking to us and then he was almost preaching to us . . not a good thing to do to Vince! Then he wanted to know where we live. Vince said “a little ways out of town”. When we were talking to the employee, Vince asked who that guy was and he said “Oh, are you talking about Whistler?” Yes, when we walked in, the old guy was just whistling away. Apparently he frequents several local places and he’s always whistling so he’s known as Whistler and that is how our chatty baby turkey got his name.
I know better than to name them. Only the special chicks get names now.
Yesterday I took him over to put him in with the other poults and he looked at me like “NO! Don’t leave me here!” so I brought him back to the house. Vince said “You’re not going to make him an inside turkey!” Hey . . they make chicken diapers so I don’t see why I can’t have an inside turkey.
Whistler
This morning I took him over to join the other poults. He gave me that same look but I walked away. It wasn’t easy and I’ve been back over a couple of times to check on him and he seems fine. He’s way smaller than the others since some of them are about 10 days old now and turkeys grow so quickly. The turkeys seem much kinder than do the chickens. When the new baby is added to the group, they seem to take him under their wing and almost snuggle with him.
I just came back from checking on them and Whistler is right in with them . . all snoozing under the heat lamp. Vince will be real happy to see that he’s now with the other turkeys and no longer in the house.
Joan says
Sounds like Whistler is going to be assured a presidential pardon this fall season. The others…..maybe not so lucky…….
Helen Koenig1 says
That’s what I was thinking too! LOL – always a bad sign when you name the turkeys, chickens or any other animal that you might otherwise have designated to join you for Thanksgiving!
Karin Vail says
you are going to have so much fun with the turkeys – they have SO much personality!
Frankie says
Awww, he’s so cute!. I’m interested to see how the turkey raising goes. We’ve considered getting a few turkeys, so keep the updates coming please!
Sharon G says
back in the 50’s and early 60’s on the farm, Dad raised sheep and we four kids always each picked out a lamb each spring to play with. Of course, they were always sold off when they reached maturity and being farm kids, we knew where food came from. To this day, I won’t eat lamb – it always reminds me of our ‘babies”. Thanks for letting us share in your life – both the farming and the quilting. I so enjoy reading the blog to see what you are up to.
sharon says
You’re going to love Whistler. We have two farm turkeys that “own” the place. They love to come around looking through the windows for us.
Terri says
aw how cute! We’ve had 5 baby chicks hatch the last 3 days and DH just called and one of the ones he put in the incubator hatched this morning while we were at work. He is so excited lol. They are so cute at first and their little chirping is the sweetest sound. And now? He wants a couple of pygmy goats…….. I’m a city girl and not used to this!! 🙂
I do enjoy your blog, and like someone said yesterday….. I came for the quilting but stayed for the chickens (and gardening and canning and don’t forget the Vince stories!) You do inspire me and if I can just get some help in the office so I spend more time at home putting some of that inspiration into action I’ll be set.
Pat (EagleKnits) says
I was at Wal-Mart the other day, and there was a half-grown turkey wandering around outside the store with all the pigeons. There are wild turkeys in the general area, but that was really a strange sight!
Christine (upnitestx) says
I’very considered you to be a friend since the old Alex Anderson day, read your blog redularily but really never comment. While I don’t agree with every thing you say, I do believe you are entitled say what you want on your blog and cannot believe how worked up people get. I started canning 40 some years ago when a single mom and seriously broke. I loved the feeling of security that gave me-with an onion and some ebgs we could eat pretty well for quite awhile
Christine (upnitestx) says
(continued). I have suffered Several light bulb moments with you like canning stock-Why? didn’t I think of that?, dehydrating peppers an d tomotoes-again why didn’t I think of that. I miss my mother’s garden in Indiana, I have great difficulty growing food in Houston, but I keep trying. I admit to being envious of your garden.
Oh and the turkeys? In my experience they stop being cute really fast-maybe ’cause I had to help my Grandmother with about 300 turkeys every spring through fall. Wing clipping the chick, moving the flock from field to field (stupid birds!) And plucking in the fall. Never prevented me from eating them, I know, I’m heartless. Anyway I hope you got some rain Monday night-keep on blogging. I enjoy the ranching stories, the family stories, the crafting stories, the food stories and the prepping stories. There is always more to learn from each other.
JudyL says
Having 2 or 3 turkeys is as pets, of sorts, is way different from having 300 and having it as a job/chore. Lots of people around here seem to have a few turkeys, a few guineas, a few chickens, a few goats . . not enough to be a real burden, but just enough to be fun.
We did get a good rain on Monday and a little bit on Tuesday. So thankful for every drop.
Gwen Graham says
Is this cute little turkey the one you had to give a bath? Hope he stay cute and frindly!