Care of new poults in the hot summer

[Buster52]

Hello, all. We bought some BB Whites about 3 months ago to see if we liked raising turkeys, and we definitely do. Like them more than chickens! But these are purely for eating.

So, now that they are up and going, we are picking up some Bourbon Red poults from a fellow BYCer to raise for our permanent breeding stock. This happens tomorrow.

So, could y'all give me some tips on raising poults in the heat? We were successful in the cooler weather. In that case, we just kept them warm. How do we care for them when the temps are 100+ degrees outside day after day after day?

TIA

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Shade shade shade and plenty of clean fresh water. If you can place your pens in an area where they can get some wind even better. Here in NC we get high 90's - low 100's in the summer. people that loose birds around here have no shade.

Steve in NC

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

what he said.. shade shade shade shade..

and just in case, put several waterers out so they dont have to look too far... and oh yeah - get up at 5:30 in the am to let them out so they can pip and pop around in the cool part of the day. if its really hot we spray down some of the grass with the hose (but not the whole yard).

we started with BBW's and BR's too! and we love them more than chickens (shhhh!!!!!) you will love them - they are very very funny little creatures. and extra good eating. we just finished off one of the BBW's that we had in the freezer - it was heavenly!

the only thing we found was that the BBW's were not as cold hardy as the BR's.. but we waited an extra long time until we .. ahem.. that is.. dressed the BBW's for dinner.

good luck!!

 

[Buster52]

Sounds like what we do with our chicks. So in this case, chickens and turkeys are about the same? You care for them basically the same as chicks in hot weather?

 

[KOTurkeyRanch]

just keep 3/4 of the place sunlight, 1/4 shade, good clean water and feed.

not cold water though, it will shock there system

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Quote:
Yes if your system works for chicks it will work for turkeys as well.

Steve in NC