Kaye's free range turkey thread

[oldhenlikesdogs]

We have a ways to go before winter is over too. We currently are have a mini heat wave which will hopefully melt all the snow. I'm sure some will be back because it's so early, but I can hope that it's gone for good.

That's a lot of turkeys, they must be a noisy bunch.

 

[MontainBourbons]

We have a ways to go before winter is over too. We currently are have a mini heat wave which will hopefully melt all the snow. I'm sure some will be back because it's so early, but I can hope that it's gone for good.

That's a lot of turkeys, they must be a noisy bunch.

Yep they are noisy but great. They pay for themselves with eggs. We still have about 2.5 feet of snow with it snowing right now

.

 

[generaldsherman]

Turkey coops or pens? I live in Idaho, and temperatures at night this winter have been below 32 degrees, but nothing below 0. I do want to protect them at night. I was thinking a large pen with a roofed area and perches/nest boxes under it. Does it need walls in an area with snow all winter? They need to be separate from the chickens? Anyone know if Idaho has blackhead? My first turkeys are in one of my incubated. I also have duck and chicken eggs in them. I thought of maybe using a duckling as a trainer for the poults, teach them to eat and drink.

 

[R2elk]

Turkey coops or pens? I live in Idaho, and temperatures at night this winter have been below 32 degrees, but nothing below 0. I do want to protect them at night. I was thinking a large pen with a roofed area and perches/nest boxes under it. Does it need walls in an area with snow all winter? They need to be separate from the chickens? Anyone know if Idaho has blackhead? My first turkeys are in one of my incubated. I also have duck and chicken eggs in them. I thought of maybe using a duckling as a trainer for the poults, teach them to eat and drink.

I highly recommend that you do not put a duckling in to brood with poults. Poults need to be kept dry. A chick as a trainer can do fine. I regularly brood chicks, keets and poults together. My keets and poults receive 28% protein turkey/gamebird starter. The high protein starter is not harmful to chicks. It has been many years since I raised ducklings or goslings but as I recall, their starter should only be about 20 - 21% protein which would be really low for poults.

Turkeys need a place they can get out of the wind so a wall on the windy side would be a good idea. They need shade from the sunshine even in the winter so a roofed area is also a good idea.

Contact your local agriculture extension agent and/or check with local vets or the state veterinarian to get information on the local blackhead conditions.

 

[generaldsherman]

I highly recommend that you do not put a duckling in to brood with poults.  Poults need to be kept dry.  A chick as a trainer can do fine.  I regularly brood chicks, keets and poults together.  My keets and poults receive 28% protein turkey/gamebird starter.  The high protein starter is not harmful to chicks.  It has been many years since I raised ducklings or goslings but as I recall, their starter should only be about 20 - 21% protein which would be really low for poults.

Turkeys need a place they can get out of the wind so a wall on the windy side would be a good idea.  They need shade from the sunshine even in the winter so a roofed area is also a good idea.

Contact your local agriculture extension agent and/or check with local vets or the state veterinarian to get information on the local blackhead conditions.

just put some meat mix chicken eggs in. Those'll want more protein anyhow. Thanks.
Maybe I'll make a 3 sided shed for them in an enclosed area. Going to let them free range in the field most days, but want them to have a safe zone.

 

[R2elk]

just put some meat mix chicken eggs in. Those'll want more protein anyhow. Thanks.
Maybe I'll make a 3 sided shed for them in an enclosed area. Going to let them free range in the field most days, but want them to have a safe zone.

If you do a search for the protein content of hard boiled eggs, you will find that eggs are not a high protein source. The reported protein value of hard boiled is usually around 12% protein. I am sure that there are good reasons to feed the eggs but thinking that it is increasing the protein is false.

 

[generaldsherman]

If you do a search for the protein content of hard boiled eggs, you will find that eggs are not a high protein source.  The reported protein value of hard boiled is usually around 12% protein.  I am sure that there are good reasons to feed the eggs but thinking that it is increasing the protein is false.

meant I have Cornish cross mix eggs in incubator

 

[BantamTurkey]

11 eggs....

 

[R2elk]

meant I have Cornish cross mix eggs in incubator

Gotcha!!!

 

[BantamTurkey]

I'm now at a total of 11 turkey eggs!!