help please *update*

[sheena6292]

Well I'm a sucker. When we went to get our chicks they had bb turkey poults and the sales guy told my hubby and kids they looked like big versions of wild. And how sweet tempered and docile they were I tried to say no we didn't know the first thing about turkeys but I had 5 pair of pleading eyes so I caved. Now we have 4 bb babies and so far we have done everything wrong. They're in with the chicks they were given electrolytes and chicken food the first day till I did research. Now I'm wondering how to tell boys from girls and what to do if we have more than one boy. They're out of the brooder and with the other 3 week old chicks (they cried till we put them in the pen) they eat cracked corn and grits and scraps. How are we doing any major things we should worry about (besides chicken diseases they were already exposed) any help is appreciated. *update* I removed them from the chickens. They were shivering so back to the brooder this morning. I'm puzzled since they were fine yesterday it is cooler today but not by much. They are eating their game starter and corn still. When do they quit needing the light?

 

[turkey guru]

sounds good so far, except the feed 27% protien,and being rasied with chicks, make the feed medicated! change the feed thing your good to go!!!! tom!!

 

[pdpatch]

With BB they are bred to grow fast, which can lead to problems with there bones and muscles unless you have the correct feed. For BB Bronze and Great Whites you should feed them Wild game starter for about the first 10 weeks or so. This has the added minerals and vitamins to ensure that they can convert there food correctly. They will be ready to butcher in about 20 weeks, which is a rough estimate.

Rather then cracked corn you might want to look for fancy scratch it has a variety of seeds in it and is better all round for them.

What ever you do don't turn them into pets as they will not have as long a life span as any other heritage type turkeys.

As far as sexing most likely you will have to wait until they are near 10 weeks old or so, Feather and cloaca sexing not easy even for an expert.