California - Northern

[Happy Chooks]

This afternoon we went over to a nursery I deal with to buy some plants I had ordered. On the way home, driving VERY slowly (because there was a ten foot dawn redwood tree hanging out the back of my truck) we had to stop for a car in the middle of the road. They had run over a wild turkey poult and were trying to get it to walk off the road. Once they got it to the side, they got in their car and drove away. I couldn't leave it there, so we had to stop and pick it up. It didn't put up much of a fuss when I picked it up, it's probably about two weeks old. I could hear other babies calling, but didn't see the hen. Even so, it would not have been able to stay up and would have been a quick snack for most any predator.

So, turkey poult in my hand we finished driving home with the plants while I looked it over. There was a large gash on the side of it's head with a fair bit of scalp exposed. the eyelids on that side of it's head are distorted and there was a drop of blood coming from it's nostril. But I think the blood was just running down the nasal passage from under the torn scalp. Looking further, I think there maybe be a fracture on the wing at that side, but I couldn't tell that yet for sure.

I figured if it was going to die overnight, at least it could be in peace instead of as dinner. I brought it home and placed it in a small dog crate with shavings while we unloaded and watered all the plants (16 of them, yikes). We were on our way to dinner, so I thought I'd let it rest to see if it would be shocky. When we got home, it was still lively enough, so I sprayed the wound with Vetricyn, offered it food and water. If it lives through the night I'll examine the wing more closely and maybe try to vet wrap the wing to it's body if necessary.

It's a cute little thing. My first thought had been peacock when I saw it on the road since there is a feral flock in the area, but I'm pretty sure it's a wild turkey (like I need another turkey).

It's got the little baby snood bump.

It doesn't sound promising, but you are a good person for trying to help it. I hope the little one makes it!

The other day I saw a man on the side of the road with a deer that had been hit. Both back legs looked broken, but it was still alive. Poor thing.

It was gone later that day, so I imagine it was put down.

 

[PetRock]

I am very excited! Today is day five for some Pita Pinta eggs I set and I see veins in some of them!

Yeah!

I'm taking a break from hatching so my incubators are empty for the first time in months. I need to lessen my chick load before I hatch anymore.

 

[KristyAnn]

This afternoon we went over to a nursery I deal with to buy some plants I had ordered.  On the way home, driving VERY slowly (because there was a ten foot dawn redwood tree hanging out the back of my truck) we had to stop for a car in the middle of the road.  They had run over a wild turkey poult and were trying to get it to walk off the road.  Once they got it to the side, they got in their car and drove away.  I couldn't leave it there, so we had to stop and pick it up.  It didn't put up much of a fuss when I picked it up, it's probably about two weeks old.  I could hear other babies calling, but didn't see the hen.  Even so, it would not have been able to stay up and would have been a quick snack for most any predator.

So, turkey poult in my hand we finished driving home with the plants while I looked it over.  There was a large gash on the side of it's head with a fair bit of scalp exposed.  the eyelids on that side of it's head are distorted and there was a drop of blood coming from it's nostril.  But I think the blood was just running down the nasal passage from under the torn scalp.  Looking further, I think there maybe be a fracture on the wing at that side, but I couldn't tell that yet for sure.

I figured if it was going to die overnight, at least it could be in peace instead of as dinner.  I brought it home and placed it in a small dog crate with shavings while we unloaded and watered all the plants (16 of them, yikes).  We were on our way to dinner, so I thought I'd let it rest to see if it would be shocky.  When we got home, it was still lively enough, so I sprayed the wound with Vetricyn, offered it food and water.  If it lives through the night I'll examine the wing more closely and maybe try to vet wrap the wing to it's body if necessary.

It's a cute little thing.  My first thought had been peacock when I saw it on the road since there is a feral flock in the area, but I'm pretty sure it's a wild turkey (like I need another turkey).   It's got the little baby snood bump.

Something about you and turkey's. Kind of sounds like a calling.

 

[TheKeeper]

They are very cute when they are small they really have to grow into their beak.
Are you raising them to sell? I first saw them when I went t Hawaii and have had a hard time finding them. The sound they make is very distinct. 
Thank you, Tod.

Yes, i am hoping to raise some squeakers to sell.
I had a hard time finding them too.
I have 8 birds - 2 of which came from L.A. area. This is my first one to hatch - hopefully they'll be more.
The diamond doves have proved far more prolific. They are not as finicky about anything; nest sites, disturbances, mates, etc.
I think i need to separate them to give the zebras more peace. Diamond dove cockbirds can be territorial little turkeys.

 

[EZFarms]

So i just despurred my rooster who has flogged me,my dad and my bf should he calm down a little now?

 

[SpringPeeper]

So i just despurred my rooster who has flogged me,my dad and my bf should he calm down a little now?

Take this with a grain of salt since I've never de-spurred my own, but I've never heard of it altering temperament, simply lessening the damage the bird does when he goes after you.

 

[dldolan]

Just what I was thinking... Once an attack roo, I think it unlikely he'll change. I've had a juvenile that made a "small" move on me, and ended up being carried around for the next 30 minutes and that was that. (no more posing. I make it clear that I AM the leader!) But a roo who has already flogged you will probably always need to be watched. I de-spur for the hen's benefit.

 

[EZFarms]

I figure his spurs will be spre for a while and i think this is partly because of breeding. like how bucks go into rut and attacj everything. he will only flog if we are messing with the hens (getting eggs,picking hens up,etc)

 

[QueenBubbles]

I need some advice about my micro-flock of 2.
My 6 wk LB is growing a comb and the overwhelming opinion on the 'guess my gender thread' is Henny is a cockerel.

Being in town, I have to get rid of "Henny" before she starts crowing, but I have a couple months to get my EE Penny another flock, right?
My feed store has their last chick batch, so I got the last Australop and a very scrawny (bones showing) black sex link.

I should have looked a bit closer at the BSL that didn't run off with all the others and was easy to catch. It looks pecked upon.
Should I get a stronger chick since there were plenty others to chose from and I could give the weak chick to my special needs kitty who is on a live prey (mostly feeder mice) diet?
How important is it to start with the strongest chicks? Will this pecked-upon and half-starved chick do fine in a small flock or will she always be at a disadvantage?
Here is a better picture of how bad she looks:

Her breathing is a lot more labored than the Australop.
I guess between knowing I'll be culling my pretty LB at some point soon has made me a bit more callous/Darwinian about choosing which chicks to raise. I don't need any more special needs babies - an anorexic kitty is enough for me.
Thanks for the input!

 

[capayvalleychick]

My 6 wk LB is growing a comb and the overwhelming opinion on the 'guess my gender thread' is Henny is a cockerel.
Being in town, I have to get rid of "Henny" before she starts crowing, but I have a couple months to get my EE Penny another flock, right?
My feed store has their last chick batch, so I got the last Australop and a very scrawny (bones showing) black sex link.

I should have looked a bit closer at the BSL that didn't run off with all the others and was easy to catch. It looks pecked upon.
Should I get a stronger chick since there were plenty others to chose from and I could give the weak chick to my special needs kitty who is on a live prey (mostly feeder mice) diet?
How important is it to start with the strongest chicks? Will this pecked-upon and half-starved chick do fine in a small flock or will she always be at a disadvantage?
Here is a better picture of how bad she looks:

Her breathing is a lot more labored than the Australop.
I guess between knowing I'll be culling my pretty LB at some point soon has made me a bit more callous/Darwinian about choosing which chicks to raise. I don't need any more special needs babies - an anorexic kitty is enough for me.
Thanks for the input!

The timing of the first crow sometimes depends on the breed or individual. Mine usually don't crow until they are 4-5 months.

I don't keep weak or small chicks but that's because I'm a breeder. Someone with a pet flock can choose whether or not they want to nurse a weak chick back to health. Seems most do. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
I sometimes feed culls to my pigs, so your idea of cat food sounds like a good way for the chick to help another creature have life. I might be concerned about salmonella, though, since feed store chicks are sometimes affected with that, and I would not want to make your cat sick.

Whatever you decide, I wish you luck.

I lived in Davis for 19 years. I wouldn't tell your local chicken people what you are considering.