Baby turkeys

[Tabuja007]

we just got baby turkeys last night, having a hard time getting them to eat. ???? Help.... We poured some of they food in a lid, along with a feeder, their drinking water though.

 

[chicken pickin]

How old are they? Baby turkeys cant see well the first week and need to be taught to eat and drink repeatedly through possible the first 2 weeks. Try putting tinfoil down with the food sprinkled on that. The shininess may attract them and get them to peck the food.

 

[Tabuja007]

We will try that, thx, theyre about 1 wk old.

 

[49erjohns]

Hello Stockbridge, I'm here in Hamburg, Mi. I have had a lot of trouble starting turkeys here in Michigan. We have blackhead here and you have to keep chickens away from turkeys and keep them away from were chickens were. I found starting them on 1/4 inch hardware cloth is best. They do not know the difference between their droppings and their food. It is the same color. Once they start eating their droppings it is almost impossible to get them to eat food. Start them on MEDICATED TURKEY STARTER. Keep dipping their beaks in water until you see each one really drink. To really get them eatting mash hard boiled egg yok in a little feed and put it on top of the feeder. I take regular grass and chop it up into short lengths and give them a little every day. That gives them a good foundation and taste for greens. Good luck with them!!! JOHN

 

[Tabuja007]

Thx john

 

[kuntrygirl]

we just got baby turkeys last night, having a hard time getting them to eat. ???? Help.... We poured some of they food in a lid, along with a feeder, their drinking water though.

Post # 11. This is what I do.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/512320/how-do-i-get-the-poults-to-eat/10

 

[kuntrygirl]

How old are they? Baby turkeys cant see well the first week and need to be taught to eat and drink repeatedly through possible the first 2 weeks. Try putting tinfoil down with the food sprinkled on that. The shininess may attract them and get them to peck the food.

Never heard that baby turkeys can't see well the first week. Mine see fine.

 

[chicken pickin]

Never heard that baby turkeys can't see well the first week. Mine see fine.

I read it here and a few other places. I dont know if its true Im new to turkeys its just what Ive read.
http://barlingpoultry.co.uk/raisingturkeys.pdf

 

[kuntrygirl]

Never heard that baby turkeys can't see well the first week. Mine see fine.

I read it here and a few other places. I dont know if its true Im new to turkeys its just what Ive read.
http://barlingpoultry.co.uk/raisingturkeys.pdf

Well, I better not tell mine that. They may pass it on to the others while still in the egg.

Thanks for the link.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Gee, never noticed them having any trouble finding the food. They went right to the feed and water and haven't slowed down since.