FEEDING TURKEY

[potter]

I HAVE 18 4 WK OLD CHICKS ONE OF WHICH IS A BRONZE DOUBLE BREASTED TURKEY. MY PROBLEM IS, IKNOW I AM SUPPOSED TO FEED HIM A HIGHER PROTEIN DIET THAN THE CHICKENS. BUT TO DO THAT I WOULD HAVE TO SEPERATE THEM WHICH IS NOT REALLY FEASIBLE AT THIS TIME. PLUS I AM AFRAID OF HIM MISSING HIS BUDDIES, IF THAT HAPPENS. I HAVE NOTICED FOR ABOUT A WEEK NOW, HE HAS BEEN EATING THE CHICKEN DROPPINGS INSTEAD OF THE CHICK STARTER. I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. ANY THOUGHTS WOULD BE HELPFUL.

 

[buc]

I raise three kinds of turkeys, the bronze, the white and the blue.


I run the turkeys with my chickens on the same feed, they are all growing well ( so well that 6 of the cornish X chickens are already dressed and in the freezer), the turkeys will get bigger and as they do they will use that size to take more of the feed.

 

[justusnak]

It has been my understanding that you should not raise chickens and turkeys together, for fear of the getting black head, from the chicken poo. Is there a way you might be able to get another turkey? then maybe move them together to another brooder? There is turkey feed...for babies..on the market. I just bought 50 pounds for my 2 little Royal palms. I think they are 5 weeks old. Adam and Eve love it! They are happy, and safe from the mean old hens!

 

[Blondie]

I just got a couple of bronze breasted turkeys last week. The lady I got them from said it was OK to feed them the chick starter that I'm feeding my chickens. It's close to the protein level they need.

As far as raising them together, as long as their area is kept clean and sanitary - as much as you can for poultry!!- it should be OK. I do have them separated now until they get as big or a little bigger than my Roo. Then I'll put them together.

Here's a pic of Turkey Tom and Turkey Jen, approximately 5 weeks old:

Here's their temporary housing: