Hoover’s Hatchery Heritage Turkey Variety Pack

[907poultry]

Poults naturally peck at things on the ground. I use sand for my brooder bedding because it is free for the digging here.

I sprinkle turkey starter on the sand and they find it and start eating very quickly. It can take them several days to figure out that the stuff in the feeder is also food. Using my method, I find no need to use a tutor chick.

I don't know what you are using for bedding but don't recommend wood chips for the first couple of weeks. They can eat the wood chips. If they are not getting appropriate sized grit at the time, they can become impacted and die from the inability to digest the wood chips.

They are on puppy pads currently, wood pellets have worked the best for ducklings (in my experience) but I didn’t want these guys eating them.

I’m interested in the sand though, I only wonder if the puppy pads are easier to clean (it only takes me 2 minutes max)
and they are very good at absorbing watery poops… until they are old enough to go on the pellets

 

[907poultry]

Poults naturally peck at things on the ground. I use sand for my brooder bedding because it is free for the digging here.

I sprinkle turkey starter on the sand and they find it and start eating very quickly. It can take them several days to figure out that the stuff in the feeder is also food. Using my method, I find no need to use a tutor chick.

I don't know what you are using for bedding but don't recommend wood chips for the first couple of weeks. They can eat the wood chips. If they are not getting appropriate sized grit at the time, they can become impacted and die from the inability to digest the wood chips.

When do you start providing grit? I only give the other babies it once they start eating fodder and peas, do the poults need it from the get go?

 

[R2elk]

They are on puppy pads currently, wood pellets have worked the best for ducklings (in my experience) but I didn’t want these guys eating them.

I’m interested in the sand though, I only wonder if the puppy pads are easier to clean (it only takes me 2 minutes max)
and they are very good at absorbing watery poops… until they are old enough to go on the pellets

The puppy pads are fine. I would sprinkle some of their starter feed on them until they start eating well from the feeder.

 

[R2elk]

When do you start providing grit? I only give the other babies it once they start eating fodder and peas, do the poults need it from the get go?

Because my sand is mixed size grains, I am essentially giving them grit right from the start. As long as the grit is appropriate sized it can be provided from the start but is not necessary until they are being fed something that requires grit or are on bedding they might eat.

I suspect that wood pellets as long as they are not full of crumbled pellets would be safer than wood chips.

 

[907poultry]

The puppy pads are fine. I would sprinkle some of their starter feed on them until they start eating well from the feeder.

I tried that last night, and all though they were eager to eat, they could only get a few bits (they DO NOT, by any extent, have good aim).

 

[907poultry]

Because my sand is mixed size grains, I am essentially giving them grit right from the start. As long as the grit is appropriate sized it can be provided from the start but is not necessary until they are being fed something that requires grit or are on bedding they might eat.

I suspect that wood pellets as long as they are not full of crumbled pellets would be safer than wood chips.

The wood pellets we normally use are 100% hardwood (condensed with heat or steam, no toxins) once wet, they fluff up and sink to the bottom, exposing fresh pellets.

 

[R2elk]

I tried that last night, and all though they were eager to eat, they could only get a few bits (they DO NOT, by any extent, have good aim).

It takes practice.

 

[907poultry]

 

[907poultry]

We still have all 10

 

[907poultry]

There is one that keeps pecking and pulling on feathers, how do I deal with this problem poult?