Is it normal for Turkens to be this large at 4 weeks?

[newchickychick]

Ours personally definitely wound up being Pioneer Broilers. They resorted to feather eating, and harassing the other chickens to do so, but were inconsolable when separated from the rest of the flock (they’d grown up together). They were starting to slow down since we couldn’t separate them to monitor feeding, and we opted to put them down as the other chickens were getting plucked raw. It was sad, but the other chickens are now far happier and we chose to get Turkens from Cackle that have wound up gorgeous and growing at a normal pace.

I think if we’d have had an additional coop that had a run attached to the main one, it might have been doable for us to restrict their diet and give them higher protein as well to maybe (hopefully) stop the feather eating. I’m sure someone more experienced than us would’ve handled it with much more grace and success!

I do know that the TSC employees at our location sent every single complaint right up the ladder to the hatchery that had sent them labeled as just “Turkens”. They haven’t been at our store since folks started to discover, and I think (and hope) the complaints were heard, or at least would be sent advertised as Pioneer Broilers! I am sad we couldn’t make the very best of our situation, but it did lead us to our five lovely Turken pullets from Cackle that are just stunning and sweet. Really hoping you (and everyone else!) has an outcome you are happy with in such a peculiar situation.

 

[Amsgrat]

Ours personally definitely wound up being Pioneer Broilers. They resorted to feather eating, and harassing the other chickens to do so, but were inconsolable when separated from the rest of the flock (they’d grown up together). They were starting to slow down since we couldn’t separate them to monitor feeding, and we opted to put them down as the other chickens were getting plucked raw. It was sad, but the other chickens are now far happier and we chose to get Turkens from Cackle that have wound up gorgeous and growing at a normal pace.

I think if we’d have had an additional coop that had a run attached to the main one, it might have been doable for us to restrict their diet and give them higher protein as well to maybe (hopefully) stop the feather eating. I’m sure someone more experienced than us would’ve handled it with much more grace and success!

I do know that the TSC employees at our location sent every single complaint right up the ladder to the hatchery that had sent them labeled as just “Turkens”. They haven’t been at our store since folks started to discover, and I think (and hope) the complaints were heard, or at least would be sent advertised as Pioneer Broilers! I am sad we couldn’t make the very best of our situation, but it did lead us to our five lovely Turken pullets from Cackle that are just stunning and sweet. Really hoping you (and everyone else!) has an outcome you are happy with in such a peculiar situation.

Thank you so much for the quick response. I am going to have to monitor them closely. It has already been a stress because the “pullets” both appear to be surprise cockerels and I don’t have the space in the flock for multiple roosters. They already (6 weeks) are showing signs of stress from their size. They lay down constantly, pant way more than any of the other chicks/hens etc. I appreciate the feedback!!

 

[newchickychick]

Thank you so much for the quick response. I am going to have to monitor them closely. It has already been a stress because the “pullets” both appear to be surprise cockerels and I don’t have the space in the flock for multiple roosters. They already (6 weeks) are showing signs of stress from their size. They lay down constantly, pant way more than any of the other chicks/hens etc. I appreciate the feedback!!

Ours were supposed to be pullets too, all roos! It’s a shame, one without a naked neck we got from the same bin was a sweetheart until the last few days when the feather eating started. But definitely showed the signs of stress from weight. I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with this surprise too! Definitely cannot recommend trying again elsewhere if the opportunity ever arises though. Our newest ones are about a month old now and just so sweet!

 

[Amsgrat]

Ours were supposed to be pullets too, all roos! It’s a shame, one without a naked neck we got from the same bin was a sweetheart until the last few days when the feather eating started. But definitely showed the signs of stress from weight. I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with this surprise too! Definitely cannot recommend trying again elsewhere if the opportunity ever arises though. Our newest ones are about a month old now and just so sweet!

That’s a happy ending all the best!!