All things Turkey poults

[Crazydoglady99]

Any suggestions on how I integrate them in with my 4 bantam chickens? My chickens are 9yrs old now, so I don't know how many more years they have.
At the moment we have a huge poultry run at the bottom of our yard, it is divided so my poults (and 3 chicken chicks) can be outside in the day if it is warm, and the bantam chookies are in their usual part. In an idea world I'd like them all in the one run so they get the extra space/grass etc.

We did try introduce a very gentle, small Belgian duccle hen, the Turkey poults went mad jumping on her. She was removed very quickly!

(I'm still convinced 2 of my poults are boys just moment ago they did their - put wing over each other circle dance-but I'm an absolute newby, so might not mean anything)

 

[Noellereagan]

Any suggestions on how I integrate them in with my 4 bantam chickens? My chickens are 9yrs old now, so I don't know how many more years they have.
At the moment we have a huge poultry run at the bottom of our yard, it is divided so my poults (and 3 chicken chicks) can be outside in the day if it is warm, and the bantam chookies are in their usual part. In an idea world I'd like them all in the one run so they get the extra space/grass etc.

We did try introduce a very gentle, small Belgian duccle hen, the Turkey poults went mad jumping on her. She was removed very quickly!

(I'm still convinced 2 of my poults are boys just moment ago they did their - put wing over each other circle dance-but I'm an absolute newby, so might not mean anything)

I’ve had hens do that dance as poults that age more than the toms. That’s not to say that’s the rule. Just my experience. We had one everyone here thought was a hen at 16 weeks including me. (Well, almost everyone). Anyway, I even placed $1000 wager on it. I swore it was a hen. Until “she” gobbled. And meanwhile, my hens are displaying and doing the wing dance for dominance that you speak of and carrying on. They can be confusing. Especially at that age. The one thing I will say is that I did this old test I thought was a wofestale at two weeks old where you hold them up and depending on where they place their legs is what the gender determination is based off. I just found my notes from this experiment and it was 100% on. 7 for 7 correct. Coincidence? Maybe. But worth a shot. I don’t recall the details. Maybe R2elk knows? But I’m sure you can find it online.
As for the chickens, I tried to integrate that early and it was terrible. I kept them side by side where they could see each other for months. When I fillanlly put them together I did it on neutral territory and free range - to avoid territory dispute- where they could get away from any bully quickly. And of course supervised very closely. They were fine. In fact, my birds (pets not food) are approaching the 40 pound mark and my little NH red roo rules the roost. Heads up: I had to lower my coop roost for the turkeys from the chicken height. And remove staggered roosts to avoid injury with big clumsy broad breasted birds. And be sure, too, there’s no blackhead in your area. It’s a Protozoa that chickens carry that is lethal to turkeys. I called my area ag extension and asked since it can live in the soil for 2 or 3 years via earth worm carriers I believe. Good luck. Turkeys are the best to have around. Never a dull moment. Since you’re a first time turkey mom I’m asking this so you don’t make the same mistake I did- what are you feeding? They cannot live on chick starter alone. Not enough protein and lysine I think. But again, R2elk can help there. That’s one who helped me with that. Best wishes turkey mama!

 

[Crazydoglady99]

Awww thanks @Noellereagan !

Oh you are probably right! I did watch a video doing that lifting/check where the legs are sexing. They might be too big now, I'll try it!
(I would love them all to be hens are they are intended to be forever pets. But I cant have tonnes of Tom's fighting etc

What do I feed them? Are you sitting down!!???
Spinach, corn, apples, oats, wheatgrass & barleygrass sprouts, crickets, mealworms, black soldier fly larvae, quinoa (cooked), some cooked lean mince (of various protein sources), variety of seeds. Loads of different things. Above are they current favourites. I have an insect farm going on over here

I do have chick crumbles, the fussy buggers say no!!

 

[Noellereagan]

Awww thanks @Noellereagan !

Oh you are probably right! I did watch a video doing that lifting/check where the legs are sexing. They might be too big now, I'll try it!
(I would love them all to be hens are they are intended to be forever pets. But I cant have tonnes of Tom's fighting etc

What do I feed them? Are you sitting down!!???
Spinach, corn, apples, oats, wheatgrass & barleygrass sprouts, crickets, mealworms, black soldier fly larvae, quinoa (cooked), some cooked lean mince (of various protein sources), variety of seeds. Loads of different things. Above are they current favourites. I have an insect farm going on over here

I do have chick crumbles, the fussy buggers say no!!

Don't feel bad. Mine go running with me twice daily and get fresh produce twice daily- and they can be fussy for sure. But I'm afraid you're setting yourself up for failure. Not sure but I suspect. I WOULD HATE TO SEE THAT HAPPEN! @R2elk ... chime in when you can please. He will confirm or deny my concern.

 

[Crazydoglady99]

Oh my gosh really? What am I feeding wrong?

 

[Noellereagan]

Oh my gosh really? What am I feeding wrong?

Don't worry. I did the same thing thinking I was spoling them. Look at the second post by r2elk on this link. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...breasted-white-turkeys.1279827/#post-20622748
Maybe what you're supplemting with is enough. But I don't think so.

 

[Crazydoglady99]

Thanks!
I think probably we are a-ok. Insects (particularly crickets) are quite high those amino acids mentioned in other thread.. (and I am a bit OTT with the foods I feed the insects!) Turkeys are getting a good amount of insects per day, plus some roasted/powdered crickets mixed with the mince.

They really love grass/green stuff huh!

I did heaps of reading, fingers crossed I've not missed something

 

[Noellereagan]

Thanks!
I think probably we are a-ok. Insects (particularly crickets) are quite high those amino acids mentioned in other thread.. (and I am a bit OTT with the foods I feed the insects!) Turkeys are getting a good amount of insects per day, plus some roasted/powdered crickets mixed with the mince.

They really love grass/green stuff huh!

I did heaps of reading, fingers crossed I've not missed something

Best of luck turkey mama. Have they imprinted on you? My seven did with me. I got them as pets. And let me tell you what- better than any dog I've ever known. And it would be a cold day in hell before they'd be off to freezer camp.

 

[Noellereagan]

Just for laughs.. this was at least a week ago - this is the one I think is a henView attachment 1583598 . My little dogs face cracks me up

Sooooo super cute!

 

[Crazydoglady99]

So funny!!! He was asleep in a different doggie bed just before. Turkeys strutting around the house today because it's raining out. Dog wakes up to see turkeys sitting on edge of his bed -dog is so offended that his nap has been interrupted

Such sweet little birds they are. They jump straight onto our shoulders/heads when they see us. They are oh so different to chickens!

I'll do some more reading on foods when I get a sec.. just-in-case I'm missing the mark. Hopefully we are ok - but always good to triple check! Thanks heaps!