Can I integrate these poults yet?

[AltonaAcres]

Hey fellow poultry lovers! I had a question regarding integrating my turkey poults into my chick's pen. So, we got 25ish heavy breed chicks on April 3rd. On April 16th, we got 2 meat turkeys. The chicks are now feathered, and are enjoying the sunshine in a pen outside. (They have a heat lamp in their coop at night.) The turkeys are not quite feathered, but it's pretty warm outside. Usually it's around 60 degrees during the day. I know about the whole blackhead parasite issue when raising chicks and poults together, so can I add the 2 poults into my heavy breed chicks? Are they old enough? Thanks in advance!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would not mix the species. They aren't behaviorally compatible and you could end up with problems. I would be worried the big turkeys would squish the meat birds as well.

 

[cgmccary]

Hey fellow poultry lovers! I had a question regarding integrating my turkey poults into my chick's pen. So, we got 25ish heavy breed chicks on April 3rd. On April 16th, we got 2 meat turkeys. The chicks are now feathered, and are enjoying the sunshine in a pen outside. (They have a heat lamp in their coop at night.) The turkeys are not quite feathered, but it's pretty warm outside. Usually it's around 60 degrees during the day. I know about the whole blackhead parasite issue when raising chicks and poults together, so can I add the 2 poults into my heavy breed chicks? Are they old enough? Thanks in advance!

Yes, but the poults need a heat source all day at that age (not just at night). 4 week old poults need about 85 F heat.

 

[cgmccary]

I would not mix the species. They aren't behaviorally compatible and you could end up with problems. I would be worried the big turkeys would squish the meat birds as well.

I keep poults and chicks together a lot! I raise them perfectly fine together with very good results. I do use oregano oil with piperine in their water when the poults first hit the ground and until they are about 5-6 months old.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I keep poults and chicks together a lot! I raise them perfectly fine together with very good results. I do use oregano oil with piperine in their water when the poults first hit the ground and until they are about 5-6 months old.

I've had young Tom turkeys kill a rooster they were raised with, and my turkey hens will harass and chase my chickens when out.

My poults go outside if it's warm enough by their second or third week during the day and are out getting integrated with the adult turkeys by 3-4 months.

 

[AltonaAcres]

Thanks guys! Good to know about the oregano oil. We have some, wish I would've known sooner!

 

[cgmccary]

I've had young Tom turkeys kill a rooster they were raised with, and my turkey hens will harass and chase my chickens when out.

My poults go outside if it's warm enough by their second or third week during the day and are out getting integrated with the adult turkeys by 3-4 months.

I raise Blacks, and they are not aggressive against my chickens. Mine go out that young too when warm but I provide a heat source for them. Poults need heat longer (and higher) than chicks to reach their potential.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I raise Blacks, and they are not aggressive against my chickens. Mine go out that young too when warm but I provide a heat source for them. Poults need heat longer (and higher) than chicks to reach their potential.

Yours may not be aggressive with chickens but the potential is there with turkeys, so just letting the OP know that. In my experiences turkeys are bullies and thugs best kept in their own area.

 

[aart]

I do use oregano oil with piperine

Like the active ingredient in Wazine(treatment for round worms in meat birds?)
What does oregano oil do...other than 'pre-season' them?