Turkeys from Cackle Hatchery

So it's been awhile since I have been on and posted anything. But I took the plunge at the end of January and a friend and I ordered some turkeys from Cackle. I ordered 7 Bourbon Reds and they sent an extra for a total of 8! Now I expected one or two to pass away after hearing how unlike chicks turkeys are. Two weeks later and they are all still alive and going and I have done nothing different with the turkeys that I would have done with chicks, except I started them on a game bird starter for the extra protein.

So why does everyone say turkeys are harder to raise? I am not saying that all turkey poults are easy or seem to be like mine are. Maybe where they came from makes a difference? If anyone else can chime in I am just curious how many people thought the same before starting the journey with turkeys.

Also, anyone that has ordered from Cackle, what was your male to female ratio? I know it will be awhile before I can tell with mine but I am just curious. My main reason for getting them was to create a sustainable flock so we could have turkey year after year.

CountryGirl1120 said:

So it's been awhile since I have been on and posted anything. But I took the plunge at the end of January and a friend and I ordered some turkeys from Cackle. I ordered 7 Bourbon Reds and they sent an extra for a total of 8! Now I expected one or two to pass away after hearing how unlike chicks turkeys are. Two weeks later and they are all still alive and going and I have done nothing different with the turkeys that I would have done with chicks, except I started them on a game bird starter for the extra protein.

So why does everyone say turkeys are harder to raise? I am not saying that all turkey poults are easy or seem to be like mine are. Maybe where they came from makes a difference? If anyone else can chime in I am just curious how many people thought the same before starting the journey with turkeys.

Also, anyone that has ordered from Cackle, what was your male to female ratio? I know it will be awhile before I can tell with mine but I am just curious. My main reason for getting them was to create a sustainable flock so we could have turkey year after year.

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It is my opinion the reason people say turkey poults are hard to raise is that far too many people try to brood just 2 or 3 at a time. My experience is that the more you start with the easier they are to raise. I have had no problems when raising large groups such as 15 or more but way back when I started with just a few like many people it was challenging to keep them all alive and well.

We got 9 BBB, 9 BBW and 3 chicks from Cackle mid-March. Within 48 hours of them arriving we were down to 6 BBB and 1 BBW. We did everything we could--electrolytes, ACV, correct temps...I was so disappointed with the mortality rates, especially since these were 4H poults for my kids. We just got another order of 7 BBB, 16 Narragansets and 3 chicks and within 48 hours only lost one. I think with our first order we just ordered poults too early in the year and they got too stressed and chilled during delivery. So maybe time of year plays into the mortality rate.

rosetheriveter said:

We got 9 BBB, 9 BBW and 3 chicks from Cackle mid-March. Within 48 hours of them arriving we were down to 6 BBB and 1 BBW. We did everything we could--electrolytes, ACV, correct temps...I was so disappointed with the mortality rates, especially since these were 4H poults for my kids. We just got another order of 7 BBB, 16 Narragansets and 3 chicks and within 48 hours only lost one. I think with our first order we just ordered poults too early in the year and they got too stressed and chilled during delivery. So maybe time of year plays into the mortality rate.

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Welcome to BYC!

I have no troubles raising mine either. Whether it's 3 or 10, they all do well and I have never lost a poult yet. I don't know either why some people have troubles.

I was so scared when ordering them because poults are not cheap. Mine were almost 10 dollars apiece and my one thought was they were all going to die on me. But we are now two weeks in and all are still doing good. I do think temperature plays a part with turkeys. I know the crazy weather here had me scared it was going to be freezing. Luckily the week they came it was in the 70s. I am hoping for a couple females and a male so hopefully I can hatch some next year and get a self sustaining supply of turkey going. I have realized I love turkey but the normal in my family is turkey dinners like twice a year and I am not sure if thats just because finding a whole turkey during certain times of the year is tough or if everyone thinks turkey is just for holidays.

Was there anything you guys noticed at an early age as far as determining sex?

It generally take between 3-4 months in age before you can start telling them apart. Hens will help a small feather line running up the back of the neck, and their chest feathers will be lighter tipped than toms who will be darker. Hens will be a bit smaller and lighter in weight. Toms will eventually get an elongated snood. It can take a while to be sure either way.

CountryGirl1120 said:

I was so scared when ordering them because poults are not cheap. Mine were almost 10 dollars apiece and my one thought was they were all going to die on me. But we are now two weeks in and all are still doing good. I do think temperature plays a part with turkeys. I know the crazy weather here had me scared it was going to be freezing. Luckily the week they came it was in the 70s. I am hoping for a couple females and a male so hopefully I can hatch some next year and get a self sustaining supply of turkey going. I have realized I love turkey but the normal in my family is turkey dinners like twice a year and I am not sure if thats just because finding a whole turkey during certain times of the year is tough or if everyone thinks turkey is just for holidays.

Was there anything you guys noticed at an early age as far as determining sex?

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Close observation plus adding up all of the results from all the different tests has often given me accurate results. None of these tests by themselves can be deemed 100% accurate. I have some years using one particular test had 100% accuracy and the following using the same test have had 0% accuracy.

@Celie made a post back in 2013 that has validity as long as you don't try to pick out just one of the observations to make your determination from.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/725829/turkeys-for-2013/2750

This is an alternative method but don't bet anything important when using this method.

Hi, CountryGirl. I, too, order from Cackle Hatchery. I just picked up my 12 Cackle Red Broilers and got an extra one. I also added five turkeys who were born on Monday of that week (I picked up the chickens that Thursday). I was able to get one white broad breasted, two Narragansetts and two Bourbon Reds. I am thinking I have four toms and one hen. This is my first experience with turkeys. I have raised laying hens for the past two plus years. (My husband and I moved to Missouri three years ago, and began our farming experience on our 38 acres of forested land). I had read not to raise turkeys with chickens. I talked with our farrier who does our horses and donkeys hooves. Her husband raises turkeys as a business and they free range with the chickens with no issues. My little five have done well. They are two weeks old today, and are flying already. As to your question about losing one or two, my experience is that I nearly always have lost one baby within 24 to 48 hours. This year I have had two orders from Cackle. First order was for 9 Black Australorps and 12 Pekin ducks. All the Australorps made it and are outside in their own coop area. Of the ducklings, I did lose one as she never developed past three days of growing in size. All the others are great. I don't know if you love close enough to Cackle Hatchery to pick your order up. I make the 2 1/2 hour drive to pick up rather than have them go through the trauma of the mail. So, with this second order, I did lose one of the little red broilers. I have been happy with the "product" thus far. I don't find the death ratio different than when I have hatched my own eggs. From the ones that hatch, I almost always lose one for whatever reason. Don't know if this helped or not, but hopefully it did. Have fun raising the turkeys!

5winchestermule. What part of Mo. Are you in.