help, poults won't eat.

[FleurSlkie]

Hard boiled eggs works every time. I feed it to my coturnix, turkeys, and my chickens when they are being stubborn with their eating.


Quote:

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
That is not accurate information.

I had the same problem about 3 months ago when my newly hatched poults would not eat and I posted my problem and with the help of many of the experienced "turkey" BYC'ers, they provided very helpful information that helped me tremendously. I didn't lose 1 single poult.

Here is a pic of what I did.

 

[bramblebrae]

Sorry to hear about your lost poults. I, too, have had a really rough time in the past with poults, but I am trying again. Last time I incubated I had 13 turks and 6 chickens in my HovaBator1588 - all the chicks hatched and only 1 poult made it out. The dead turk eggs were fully formed but did not pip out. The lone survivor slowly withered away and died - in spite of having the chicks as role models.

This time I lowered temp in my incubator (preset was over 100 deg and I went down to 99.7 for incubation) and with 4 days to go I have 24 of 37 turk eggs developed and a few chick eggs in with them again. Have some wild cross to Red Bourbon eggs in there. I just think the heritage breeds and wilds have not been genetically selected for raising by hobbyists or mass raising in commercial ag manner, so they are more dependent on having a hen teach/care for them.. which makes it challenging when we take the hen out of the equation. Just a theory. They certainly are challenging and I will really feel I have accomplished something to raise a hatch and have them survive.

Thank you again to all the wonderful people who share info here and help others.

 

[greenfingers]

I just got my poult order from Porters. They are all doing fantastic! I don't think you NEED to have a chick/chicks in with them - they didn't have a problem figuring out the water and food! I just did what Porters recommended and put them on paper towels and sprinkled some food right on the floor of the brooder. I put brown sugar and vitamins/electrolite powder in their water (later I will add a little ACV). I used a shallow dish with marbles in it for the water, and they were right off trying to peck the marbles and thus they learned to drink the water. The food on the floor they pecked at right away too. So they are NOT that stupid, and they are very sweet and friendly, not timid.