Are Turkeys really that hard to start?

[Cynthia12]

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First of all... welcome to

Oh my goodness! That had to be so hard to go through, and you are still going through it all. You are so great to work so hard on these turkeys. Sounds like some just may make it through this. That says something about how tough they really are!
Are you going to keep them, and breed?
Again, I am so sorry this happened to you. I was pretty sad when a feral cat got one of my heritage RIR's. You just never know what will come along.
Good luck to you with the remainders of your turkeys!

 

[chickenzoo]

I normally don't have too much trouble starting them. I start them in a rubbermaid container so i can watch them for the first week, then i may move them to a outside brooder with wire floors. I don't let them touch ground until they are 3 months old. They do need to be shown how to eat, but normally get the hang of it. you get some with a little less IQ so i always start them out with a baby chick if possible to show them how it's done. they are a little more sensitive, but that's about it.

 

[Cynthia12]

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My two were with chicks the first two days. They got along just fine. My chicks were scared to death of them..lol..

The funniest thing to me....was just after they hatched. I was laughing, and had to bring my husband in to watch. Meanie me..I was laughing at how clumsy they were. And, it did take them a while longer than my chicks to get up on their feet to walk, instead of doing the belly crawl. The smaller one got the hang of the foot work quicker than the larger one. It's belly was huge..had a lot of yolk to absorb I guess. I would find it upside down and have to up right it. By the next day, it's belly was down, and it wasn't going upside down any more. They really did do well...well enough, that I am going to hatch some more for a lady that wants some, and the guy that will give the eggs to me..he will take back what the lady doesn't want. I still can't get over the cute baby noises they make.