Day old

[learning chick]

My day old turkey chick that mom hatched out, we brought into the brooder. It does not want to stand. It seems healthy, no curled toes. When I checked on it this morning it was laying on side. Had one out of incubator to do that as well. Any suggestions?

 

[R2elk]

My day old turkey chick that mom hatched out, we brought into the brooder. It does not want to stand. It seems healthy, no curled toes. When I checked on it this morning it was laying on side. Had one out of incubator to do that as well. Any suggestions?

What is your brooder temperature. Was it drinking well? What are you feeding it?

 

[learning chick]

What is your brooder temperature. Was it drinking well? What are you feeding it?

Brooder is at 99, yes drinking, and it is getting the 24% starter

 

[R2elk]

Brooder is at 99, yes drinking, and it is getting the 24% starter

Your brooder temperature is too hot and your chick starter is not the appropriate food for a turkey poult.

I start my poults at 90°F measured at the bedding level. If you are measuring the air temperature, the bedding level will be way too hot. Cooler temperatures encourage faster feather growth. The brooder should be big enough that it has a heated zone and a cooler zone. The feed and water should be kept in the cool zone.

Turkey poults need a higher level of lysine, methionine, niacin and protein than can be found in chick starter. I start my poults on a 28% protein turkey or game bird starter that has the higher levels of lysine, methionine and niacin that poults need for proper growth and development.

Too low of niacin and thiamine levels can lead to perosis causing the inability to properly use their legs. A solution of vitamin B complex can help avoid this. Prepare the vitamin B complex solution by mixing it with water at the rate of 1/2 a tablet or capsule dissolved in one gallon of water. Make it the only source of water. It should be made fresh daily.

 

[learning chick]

Thank you for the advice. I was able to get it up and walking by putting it in a cup for a few hours. At least once an hour I would go check on it, offer it food and water. It's doing good now.