Agressive poults

[judyc]

So, I get my hatchery order. 30 chicks of assorted breeds, and 13 Velociraptors. (Narri turkey poults)

Is it normal for them to pick on everything?! They pick at a chick, and hang on like a pitt bull dog!

They are getting hard boiled egg and game bird starter.

I finally had to separate them with a piece of hardware cloth from the rest of the poultry.

People remark about how "friendly" they are, but I just see the expression "fresh meat" on their faces when they race toward a hand in the brooder.

They still try to peck chicks through the wire.

This may be my first and last batch of poults.

 

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

maybe they are too overcrowded in the brooder ?? We have hatched out chicks and poults all at the same time and they lived in the brooder all together with no problems except the poults out grow the chicks pretty fast, other then that ??

 

[boxermom]

I've had my first poults for 2 wks. I thought the same when I brought them home. They picked on eveything! I figured this would be my first and last. I have 6 Bourban Reds. I took the poor chicks out right away as they were going to die and the poults were finding the water and food just fine. Within the next day or so, they calmed down considerably. They aren't picking anymore and are very calm when I pick them up. The only thing is, I'm afraid they are going to fly out of the brooder when I have the top up to "chore." They are flying machines!

I really am enjoying them now. They will get better.

 

[mooman]

Agreed, they get better with age. I'm not sure if you noticed, but thier "pecks" are not nearly as hard as chickens. Mine are 5 weeks now and I would say they are WAAAAAAY less aggresive than chickens. I hardly ever see them peck at each other. They chest bump which is hilarious......and one has started to puff out all his feathers and strut. It's awesome, one minute juvi poult, the next spitting image of full size Tom only 1/30th the size.