Midget Whites boy or girl and other questions

[faykokoWV]

I'm in the middle of hatching midget whites (thank you S and S Poultry) So 15 of 16 made it to lock down and 8 out of 15 hatched with 6 more pipped.

This is my first time ever with turkeys and I'm wondering how soon can you tell the sex? Some seem to have a little bump on their heads, are these toms?
I've got game bird starter grower for them, is this the correct feed or do I need a supplement?
Will the game bird starter be too much protein for my chicken chicks that are in the brooder with them?

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

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[faykokoWV]

Steve, all 16 developed and the one that quit did so late in that game at about three weeks. Here are the ones I grabbed out of the bator so far.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

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[faykokoWV]

final count 14 out of 16, I'm very happy! Based on all the posts about turkey eggs being hard to hatch, especially when shipped I think this was a spectacular hatch. The last one tht made it to lock down (number 15) I thought had pipped, but it was just shell fragments from someone elses egg. I left it in the incubator for one more day, but I don't see any movement. I'll try to get some more pictures later this week.

 

[ColbyNTX]

Good job! 87.5% is a great hatch even with your own eggs for most people. Steve's wife really packs those eggs well and keeping a good tomn ratio really pays off.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

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[Jocasta]

Quote:

Awesome hatch btw! I'm a little worried about all this talk of turkeys being difficult - although also optimistic given how well you got on!

 

[faykokoWV]

First off, these little buggers are the friendliest birds I've ever had. they love to be held and actually run towards me when i get close to the brooder!


Next questions

Will they be ready to eat by Thanksgiving?
I can't find 28% feed (even at SS) is there something I can supplement the 24% feed with to bump the protein levels - eggs? meat? bugs?
Any foods I should avoid giving or I should give them to affect the taste of the meat?

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

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