Dying poults

[Huntmaster]

Yes they were shipped, the company recommended 100 but I’ll make sure to raise the heat lamp a little to cool it down. I mixed a little apple cider vinegar in the water, no electrolytes. And gave them sugar water when they first arrived, but took that out after a little bit. I check on them often and always check to see if they were eating the first two that died almost never touched the food no matter what I did, the others I watched eat and drink with little issue. The one that died today was eating only about two hours before I found him dead.

Always good to sprinkle some feed on ground for first few days till they find feed dish. they have natural instincts to peck so if food is there they will peck at it. I always start mine out on old towels for first few days some use paper towels till they are eating well and have some grit in there systems before putting them on large wood flakes. and not a bad idea to give them some kind of boost in there water for few days, I use nutri-drench but electrolytes and or sugar water helps also. Especially for shipped poults. And yes as others have stated 100 degrees is to hot, I have never had mine above 95.

 

[Huntmaster]

If you stick to those processes you should not have to much trouble getting them off to a good start. Sometimes you need to dip there beaks into water a few times a day first day or so to get some slow learners to get the idea. But they are copy cats so usually as long as a few are drinking out of waterer and feeder the rest will pick it up quickly.

 

[Devils Flower]

I guess some people do have trouble with wood shavings. I never did and never gave them grit till they started going outside. Guess I have been lucky being a first time turkey person. My turkeys are 3 months old and are health as they can be.

 

[Huntmaster]

I guess some people do have trouble with wood shavings. I never did and never gave them grit till they started going outside. Guess I have been lucky being a first time turkey person. My turkeys are 3 months old and are health as they can be.

I only had trouble one time but that was enough for me. poults crop filled up like a balloon from being impacted from eating wood chips. They have a natural instinct to peck and try to eat everything. So I now always start them on old towels for few days to a week until their systems are working and start getting to messy for towels if you know what I mean. But I have been hearing good things about starting them on sand in brooder. So I think I am going to try that for next year, then they get some grit in system from sand and no worry about impaction. And they can still find feed sprinkled on top of sand.