The "use a chick to teach the turkey how to eat" trick is a common practice, but is a myth in my opinion. I think it started because turkeys don't spend as much time eating as chickens, so it is rare to see poults eating unless you spend a lot of time watching them. I have never put chicks in with my turkeys and they have all eaten just fine. I also don't put colored marbles in my water, and they drink just fine. When I put them in the brooder, I dip their bills in the water just like you would for a chick. I spread paper towel over most of the bedding and scatter feed all over it. I also put an open trough of feed along a wall. By the time the scattered feed is gone, they all know to find food in the trough.
One reason I think the chick myth is so prevalent is that when one poult feeds, they all get up and feed. So if you add feed and the chick comes over right away, you are still there to see the poults feed and think the chick is "teaching" them. But without a chick, the feed still disappears and the turkeys still get bigger. I have always assumed this meant the poults were eating on their own. Could be wrong, though.
