Turkeys Turkeys Everywhere!

In the past three weeks we've had two batches of poults hatch. We intercepted the Grey Momma and had her hatch in the chicken hospital to ensure "nature" wouldn't bother or eat her babies. We then moved them into the small pen to let them stretch a bit.

All the while we our red hen, Regina, had disappeared. We figured either she found someplace away from the house to brood or the coyotes got her. Then, last week she just reappeared with 13, day old poults. All this time, she was only ever a few yards beyond the old house. All but two of her eggs were fertilized.

We then transitioned the three week old chicks out of the pen and into the yard so we could move Regina and her Littles into the pen.

Regina was a natural and tolerated us doing what we needed to to make the move, meanwhile fervently defending her Young from any curious cat and the other turkey, Momma.

The very first night Momma and her 10 all roosted together, while Regina and her brood tucked in for the night.

And just like that, we have 27 turkeys!