Lots of turkey questions- broad breasted

[Chicks R Friends NOT Food]

My mom just got 2 bronze broad breasted turkeys (a Tom and ... hen?.. a girl). Since we found out that they can't live with our chickens (chickens can give them a disease?) we have to build them a new home. We need to know what a minimum size is for them to live in comfortably (we don't have too much space but we'll try for the biggest). Any details or helpful information on raising the new kids would be absolutely fantastic. The guy said they're eating chicken feed for now, but that doesn't sound right to me.. They're 4 weeks old if that helps.

 

[Jolyn]

bumping this up for you because i want the same info....

 

[chickenannie]

Read this previous thread... it has lots of good turkey info:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=92240

 

[Jolyn]

Thank you!!! That is going to give me plenty of reading!!!!

 

[chickenannie]

You're welcome!

 

[Chicks R Friends NOT Food]

Yes, thank you. Wish I had seen that before. I haven't read it all yet but 2 questions form... should I still worry about weasels with them (they killed my chickens over the winter) and are they supposed to be rough? Mine feel... like a combo of velcro and dry poo/dry mud coated chickens. They were a bit dirty because they came home in a cat-carrier, but I didn't think they should've been That dirty..

 

[chickenannie]

If you're asking, will weasels kill turkey poults (chicks), the answer is yes they will. You'll have to weasel-proof your pen.

No, turkeys are just as soft and fluffy as a chick -- very clean and fuzzy. They shouldn't be coated in dirt, or get dirty. Were the turkey poults in mud or rain before you got them?

 

[ivan3]

Chicks R Friends NOT Food wrote: should I still worry about weasels with them

Yes. Several adult turkeys with a bit of light to work with might get lucky, but poults will be bled dry on the instant, look to your defenses.

are they supposed to be rough? Mine feel... like a combo of velcro and dry poo/dry mud coated chickens

No. Once on clean bedding this should flake/wear off quickly. If not, keep an eye on how they're getting around (BB's are notorious for leg problems).

Good Luck!

Ed: sorry, just posted a link to this:

Since we found out that they can't live with our chickens (chickens can give them a disease?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=175024​

 

[deerman]

Quote:
Best if you can raise them on wire, this will keep them clean and out of the waste.

 

[Chicks R Friends NOT Food]

Quote:
Best if you can raise them on wire, this will keep them clean and out of the waste.

Yup, they're in a rabbit cage now till they get a little bigger and we finish their permanent home. I'll try to give them a warm sponge bath later. They're so cute and much more friendly than my chicks were. I tihnk that's all I need to know for now, thanks to all *contributors, I will be sure to watch them closely for any problems.