Is there such a thing as a frizzle turkey?

[Moonwalker]

And are these Naragansett, BBB or what?
I thought Narragansett, but now I'm not so sure....

Only one has the frizzle feathers, so I'm not sure if it's natural or what

 

[silkieluvr]

Wow, what a strange thing! I've never heard of a frizzled turkey...ut who knows anything is possible I guess!

 

[babychickfarmer]

whered you get those chicks? the colored ones?

 

[Moonwalker]

The colored chicks are sold by Ideal around Easter

 

[hinkjc]

That is considered a defect on a turkey. Sometimes it is genetic, other times related to nutrition. What level of protein do you have the turkeys on? They need much higher protein than chickens for proper plumage development.

Jody

 

[Moonwalker]

They have been on a 20% chick starter. Should it be higher?

 

[hinkjc]

The game bird ration we use is 30% protein for the 1st 6 weeks. They are then changed to a flight conditioner or grower ration which are both around 20-22% protein until point of lay.

Jody

 

[Moonwalker]

so should I look for a higher % feed now? They are 4 weeks old today

 

[hinkjc]

I probably would if I were you. I would recommend mixing it with the lower protein feed, so not to shock their system by changing it suddenly. Keep them on it a couple extra weeks (up to 8 weeks old) and they should recover fine as they go through some more moults.

Jody

 

[Moonwalker]

Thanks. I was told that 20/21% would be ok for them. I will have to check the CoOp because that's the highest TSC has.