Showing Turkeys

Hey everyone,

I am showing a few toms this up and coming show next weekend. Other than delousing are there any other preparations I should be doing?
It was advised that I do not need to bath the Turkeys, thank goodness. I do plan on cleaning there feet if need be.

Just curious as to what is required as well as involved for Turkeys.

Thanks

Jonny A

Have you sewn the required 'turkey-cozy', Jonny? Have you purchased you mini cane and top hat yet?

Sue

oh yes, definitely, you dont have to wash but you do need the cozy, cane and top hat. NO question about that.

Jonny A ~no, i don't beleive you have to do any thing for turkeys!
im also entering a turkey tom, and i was pritty happy when i found out i didn't have to wash him!!!! LOL
can't wait to see your turkeys at the show!

Do I need the mini cane or the Turkeys?

LOL

Yes Jonny, cane, cozy and top hat are REQUIRED. Don't listen to Steve. He hasn't received the memo yet.

Sue

Turkey showing can be quite simple. I large classes the turkeys are tabled judged. What I mean by this, is the turkey is laid down on the table and held by the feet by the owner or a handler. I judge then will walk down the opposite side of the table and check the bird for crooked breast, breast quality, meat quality, feet qualities and general overall condition. If it is judged in the cage the judge must at least feel and check the breast. Check the feet and general condition of the bird. A Turkey is a meat bird so they must feel and look like a meat bird.

Sebas49 wrote:Turkey showing can be quite simple. I large classes the turkeys are tabled judged. What I mean by this, is the turkey is laid down on the table and held by the feet by the owner or a handler. I judge then will walk down the opposite side of the table and check the bird for crooked breast, breast quality, meat quality, feet qualities and general overall condition. If it is judged in the cage the judge must at least feel and check the breast. Check the feet and general condition of the bird. A Turkey is a meat bird so they must feel and look like a meat bird.

Does this apply to Toms or just hens....
Speaking from a novice point of view... I have noticed a huge difference in the size and shape of the breast bone and breast meat on a Tom in comparison to a hen. The Tom's breast bone is rather pronounced and there is very little meat in comparison to the hens. I say this as I processed a few of my older turkeys for thanksgiving for family, and the three toms I gave away had huge breast bones, there was breast meat but not as much as the hen I put on the table for our family.

I hope that I have been feeding my Tom's properly... I give them a mix of 1 part 17% Layer Pellets 2 Parts 22% Turkey Grower + 2 Parts Cracked hens Scratch. I have been giving them treats as well. The hens get the same only I also give them Oyster shell as well.

Wil be interesting to see the judging on them boys.

All turkeys are judged the same way. The hens should also show good breast meat.

one of Rico's favourite things about juding is checking then hens, hands on

Checking breast, it's a dirty job but someone has to do it.

When selecting breeders & showing turkeys, stance and breast fleshing are the two key points I look for. Colour is really the only trait where I may deviate from show standard when selecting breeders. I don't eat the feathers and only 1 bird needs to finish first.

Here's what I look for, in no particular order of importance:

1) Outline of turkey in Standard is excellent. Pay attention to angles of back, belly, and chest. Pay attention to depth of body and fullness of breast. Birds not displaying are preferred for judging.

Back angle is of particular concern as it's an indicator of overall fleshing. If too low, you have too much fleshing and most likely fertility issues. Too high and not enough breast muscle.

2) From the front or rear, look at the shape between the legs between the ground and belly. Shape should be more square than skinny recctangle. Definately stay away from trapezoids.

3) When being evaluated on the table, the breast muscles must be more prominent than the breast bone. The thick muscling should extend right to the tip of the breast bone.

Breast line and backline need to be parallel. Breast line should not slant towards the back and point to the pelvic bones. I like to be able to fit my entire palm width between the end of the breast and the keel bones. This measurement influences growth rate.

Anyway, this is all in the SOP, just worded differently.

Good Luck

Oh and on the subject of bathing, I have been known to bath when it was needed. In fact, now that I think of it, each of the judges that contribute here have awarded my turkeys Reserve Bird in Show after I bathed them. Hmmm, must remember that, bath my turkeys when showing under Rico and Heather, LOL.