hatched turkeys. CAN'T WIN.

[feedman77]

I bought a couple batches of day old turkeys early spring had no problems brooding them.

I have since incubated eggs from adult birds I have purchased.

1st batch hatched 2 of 5 fertile eggs.

1 chick born with bad leg. It couldn't straighten it. Culled.
2 nd chick was fine for 4 days got fops and passed while I was at work.

2nd batch hatched 5 of 8.
1st chick leg problem cull
2nd chick out of egg lived 2 min died.
3rd chick put in brooder drowned in waterer
4th and 5th chick were going good eating drinking. Chasing each other around brooder. Thought as was good. 5 days along. Got up this morning one passed away back of brooder. The other one was breathing hard not moving and passed about an hour ago.

I really like my turkeys and really enjoy hatching them. I have not done anything different with hatched birds over bought day old birds. And I can't keep ones I've hatched alive for over a week.

I have a broody hen should hatch next week. Hopefully she has better luck than Ive had.

Have 16 in incubator. But not holding much hope.

Adult birds I bought were proven breeder pairs and hatched several chicks out of them according to seller.

So kinda bummed.

 

[TattooedMama]

For the others without visible problems, it could still be an issue with not knowing hot to eat and drink. Where do you get your day olds? Often when we buy 'day olds' from stores or even breeders sometimes, they are actually a few days old. When they are from hatcheries they are hatched and then shipped so by the time they are even on display at the store they are several days old, if not more depending on when you go. I think day olds from stores have already learned to eat/drink which makes transition at home easier. Turkeys are notoriously fragile as poults. I have had great luck with store bought and hope that I do with my hatch as well. I have 10 eggs in the incubator due June 23rd. I would bet the broody hen has better luck than you do, that is so long as she is a good mother.

 

[MeepBeep]

My guess is inconsistent incubation temps and/or the breeding stock not being fed a diet that contains enough vitamins and minerals...

 

[feedman77]

All were purchased from individuals. I was called to get them day after expected hatch. So figured 24 hours.

Usually feed 18 percent layer. With ddg/corn mix free choice and they also free range on 5 acres grass clover pasture.

I figuring maybe temps got a accurate thermometer today. So will see on last batch.

 

[Hounds51]

18 percent layer aint the best to use. I use at least 20 to 30 percent of game bird feed and mix with water and a little sugar for the first couple of days ( making a wet mash). Young poults are really fragile for the first month, and dont tolerate as much as chicks will.
Also layer feed has alot of grit in it. I read somewhere that poults should not have any grit for the first month.

 

[feedman77]

18 percent layer aint the best to use. I use at least 20 to 30 percent of game bird feed and mix with water and a little sugar for the first couple of days ( making a wet mash). Young poults are really fragile for the first month, and dont tolerate as much as chicks will.
Also layer feed has alot of grit in it. I read somewhere that poults should not have any grit for the first month.

The layer was for my adults. The chick had 28 percent game bird and was feeding some boiled eggs.

I will try yogart if get any out of eggs in incubator.

Thanks

 

[Webechickens]

Hello. Sorry for all of your losses. That would be rather disheartening, to say the least. When I got my poults, I put a little brown sugar in their warmish water for a few days. I did warmish water for at least 4-6wks. of age. For a few weeks, I had the 6 poults in with some chicks of the same age. When I would sit and watch them in their early days, I noticed that the chicks ate up the crumble with no problem, but the poults just seemed to pick it up in their beaks as if to eat it, but then would drop it and just move it around, almost like it was too big. I decided to get out the mortar and pestle and grind some up finely. That did the trick and they started actually eating it and thriving. Might be worth a try. Hope your next batch has great success!

 

[neverbdone]

Hey webechickens. A little sugar yes, but brown sugar has molasses which is like a laxative for turkies. I'm not positive, but don't think that could be good. I use a bit of sugar (1 T) and 1/2a dropper of polyvisol in 1 gallon of water for the first 2 weeks. I also dip their beaks several times until I'm sure they know how to drink.

They are so delicate the first two weeks. Best of luck with your hatches.