First turkeys

[Hummingbird Hollow]

I just picked up my first ever turkeys. They are Broad Breasted White that I got from the feed store. They are almost 4 weeks old and were the last 4 they had, so I grabbed them all. They've been one chick starter and in with their other chicks. They didn't have any turkey starter, but suggested I could put them on turkey grower right away. I purchased a 50# bag of grower and now need to decide to keep them on chick starter or the higher protien turkey grower. What is your recommendation.

They seem content in the oversized brooder I have set up for them in my garage. It's about 3'X 6' and I have it divided in half, with deep bedding on one half with a heat lamp and a layer of paper towels on the other side with their feeder and waterer. There is a 4"x4" piece of wood between the two halves. This is something I've been doing with my chicks, because it seems to keep poop and shavings out of the feed and waterer for longer periods of time.

The new poults seem to happily hop from one side to the other, sometimes roosting on the board in between. I've seen at least one of them take both food and water. Is there anything I'm forgetting to help them settle in for their first night in their new home?

Anything I should expect in the days ahead that raising chickens won't prepare me for?

 

[KrisH]

I just picked up my first ever turkeys. They are Broad Breasted White that I got from the feed store. They are almost 4 weeks old and were the last 4 they had, so I grabbed them all. They've been one chick starter and in with their other chicks. They didn't have any turkey starter, but suggested I could put them on turkey grower right away. I purchased a 50# bag of grower and now need to decide to keep them on chick starter or the higher protien turkey grower. What is your recommendation.

They seem content in the oversized brooder I have set up for them in my garage. It's about 3'X 6' and I have it divided in half, with deep bedding on one half with a heat lamp and a layer of paper towels on the other side with their feeder and waterer. There is a 4"x4" piece of wood between the two halves. This is something I've been doing with my chicks, because it seems to keep poop and shavings out of the feed and waterer for longer periods of time.

The new poults seem to happily hop from one side to the other, sometimes roosting on the board in between. I've seen at least one of them take both food and water. Is there anything I'm forgetting to help them settle in for their first night in their new home?

Anything I should expect in the days ahead that raising chickens won't prepare me for?

Higher protien, about 30% if possible, you might need to find a different feed store for it. Call around.

Enjoy


RobertH

 

[BarneyChick97]

You can just give them Flock Raiser. Its the purina brand food for tukeys/ducks. Chickens can have it too. I think (if I remember right) they aren't supposed to have medicated chick food. Turkeys are delicate chicks, but if they are almost 4 weeks old, they are probably fine. You are going to need something to cover the brooder (if you haven't already), because they will fly out. You also need to show them the food and water a few times (they always told me, they aren't bright as chicks--chickens and ducks figure this out, but not turkeys). Whites get big fast..... Our biggest white (3 years ago), was 44LBS after processing. Thats a lot of meat. Good luck to you

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

Higher protien, about 30% if possible, you might need to find a different feed store for it. Call around.

Enjoy


RobertH

I'll look around. The feed I purchased is only 24% protien. How much longer do you thing they need to be on the 30% formula?

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

You can just give them Flock Raiser. Its the purina brand food for tukeys/ducks. Chickens can have it too. I think (if I remember right) they aren't supposed to have medicated chick food. Turkeys are delicate chicks, but if they are almost 4 weeks old, they are probably fine. You are going to need something to cover the brooder (if you haven't already), because they will fly out. You also need to show them the food and water a few times (they always told me, they aren't bright as chicks--chickens and ducks figure this out, but not turkeys). Whites get big fast..... Our biggest white (3 years ago), was 44LBS after processing. Thats a lot of meat. Good luck to you

Thanks, I do have a a piece of screening held over the brooder with clothes pins. The folks at the feed store were happy to see them go because they kept escaping the big feed tub every time someone went to change their feed and water. I think I may have been lucky that they are almost 4 weeks old because they seem very active and alert and when I checked on them just now, were gathered around the food and water and having a before bed snack and a drink.

 

[BarneyChick97]

Just make sure whatever you give them, is for turkeys. I wouldn't give them anything that is only for chickens. You don't have to put them on "starter"... they will be just fine, just as long as the protein is higher.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

Just make sure whatever you give them, is for turkeys. I wouldn't give them anything that is only for chickens. You don't have to put them on "starter"... they will be just fine, just as long as the protein is higher.

Just to clarify, are you saying the 24% protien "Turkey Grower"I purchased is adequate, or do I need something higher protien?

 

[KrisH]

Quote: Read the bag. I usually see "Starter", "Grower" and "Finisher" each for different ages. what you start them out on has a good bit to do with how large and sturdy they will turn out to be. usually the bag will state the ages in weeks for each type of food.

that said, what brand of grower is it? might be able to look it up online.

RobretH

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

Oh my goodness. Baby turkeys are so musical. Yes, chicks make a cute peeping sound, but my little turkeys sound like I've got a tropical aviary in my garage!

 

[BarneyChick97]

Sorry for the confusion Flock Raiser is just feed you can give that to them from start to finish. One year we got the turkey starter, and gave them only that food (just a 50# bag until it was gone), but it was more of a hassle. Just don't give them medicated chick starter (for chickens).