Falling into meat

We have begun hatching our new batch of meat birds now that cooler fall weather should soon be here.  Our own meat chickens have a tiny drop of Americana blood in them and as a result most of the eggs they lay are a blue-green.

We incubate every egg laid since the meat birds are a very heavy bird and not great layers.  We have a small flock of Rhode Island Reds for eggs.  This meat cross has a great growth rate, reproduces naturally, and doesn't have the health problems of the hatchery Cornish X.

I'm not sure if we'll have our own home-grown turkey this year.  We have battled disease, accidents, and predators all year...leaving a precious few turkeys for breeders.

It's a rather eclectic flock of turkeys including Royal Palms...

Standard Bronze...

Bronze/Royal Palm crosses...

And our tom, a Bourbon Red.  We're praying that he'll sire many healthy poults next year!  He looks rough right now because he flew into a neighbors' yard and was mauled by their dogs.  If he stays home he'll be safe.  LOL

And our June kids are getting big!  Down to 2 milk feedings a day, now they go out with the big goats during the day.