I raise both the Broad Breasted Whites and Midget Whites. I find that using the foil to attract them is a good way to get them pecking at the food. I also mix some water in with their food and they love it. I gradually switch them to dry over the next few weeks, but I find that this way I can pick some up on my fingers and they will peck it off. I've been known to immitate a hens clucking to get them to try it.
We currently have 50 turkeys ranging in age from 3 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks for the youngsters. I also have two year old hens and 1 year old tom from last years BBWs. The girls are healthy as a horse and run around just fine with the younguns. They spent the winter in my greenhouse and came out whenever they felt like it. When the snow was too deep for them to walk we gave them rides on the 4 wheeler. They are obviously pets. They are better than a dog as people are scared to death of them.
I put my turkeys outside the first chance I get. Right now the little ones, the three week olds, are clamoring to get out of the brooder every day. As soon as you open it up out they fly. Midget Whites are a riot! All the other turkeys are out in the coop together and it's really cute seeing some of the Midgets cuddling into the much larger BBWs feathers. During the day they have a pen they can go into or out of anytime they want and have access to our alfalfa/brome grass fields for them to take care of any bugs. They also make raids on the garden any chance they get. We actually keep a strawberry bed just for them, but my rasberries are totally off limits. I of course plant my cole crops as far away from the turkeys as I can. They will eat them to stubs.
I do start them on Game Bird Starter and then switch to grower when they are big enough to eat it. Basically when they start eating the bigger turkeys food I just switch them. Usually the BBWs will switch over around 6 weeks, but the midgets are closer to the recommended 8 weeks. I've never had a problem with this and rarely ever loose a turkey.
I find if the poults are standing huddled then they are generally cold. Of course climbing on top of each other is well....bad. Turkeys tend to huddle together and take naps together. They will lie next to each other and lay their heads on each other. Sometimes it looks like they have their necks braided together. We call this a turkey pile. So lying down snuggling is good, but standing and huddling is bad.
Hope this helps and enjoy those little blue eyed buggers. Nope they aren't like chicks and yup they will generally come a running if you always treat them right. I know for me to attempt to walk through their yard is fruitless. I can get about two steps in before I am surrounded by the biggest bunch of sponges there is. When they see me in the garden out they come to help/wreak take care of the plants. And if I call Yurkey Yurkey where's my turkeys they will come flying, running, and wing flapping.
