1st Turkey hatch questions???

[anschuck]

My first batch of turkeys eggs are starting to hatch as I write
this. I have a few questions that I'm hoping someone can help
me with.
Since I wasn't expecting these eggs to hatch with all the problems I was having with my incubator, I'm not really ready
for them.

1) I have a brooder ready if I need it. If I only hatch 1 or 2 eggs
can I put these poults in with some wk old chicks (17) that I
have in another brooder?
2) Can I give any of the poults that hatch chicken starter until
I can get turkey starter)
3) How long should I give this one to fully hatch out? Just beak
at this point and some chirping. It'll be about 10 hrs by the
time a get home from work. Should I assist in anyway if there
is still no progess? I would really hate to lose any. My humidity
at this point is 67%.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Chuck

 

[SueNH]

Turkeys hatch slower than chickens. I don't interfere until they haven't made any real progress for a full 24 hours.

They will be fine with week old chicks. The chicks will actually show them how to eat and drink. Without a chicken chick you often have to show them yourself. Little slower getting it together than chickens. I'd give them their own brooder only long enough to get their legs under them.

I actually put a few chicken eggs into my incubator a week after I've started turkey eggs. That way things hatch the same time and the mixed chicks just consider the poults goofy siblings.

Chicken starter is fine in a pinch but they really do better on a higher protein feed.