Multi-Breed Chicks/Poults

[Newchickenguy84]

So I have 9 Chicks, 4 Ducks and 4 Turkeys coming in from the same Hatchery. My plan was to put them under the same heat lamp and eat the same food for the first month or so until I separate them into their respective coops. My wife is says this is a bad idea. So question is should I split them when they arrive or can they stay together for a bit.

 

[Alaskan]

So I have 9 Chicks, 4 Ducks and 4 Turkeys coming in from the same Hatchery. My plan was to put them under the same heat lamp and eat the same food for the first month or so until I separate them into their respective coops. My wife is says this is a bad idea. So question is should I split them when they arrive or can they stay together for a bit.

Are the turkeys for eating? Or will you keep them for years?

I would put the turkeys and the chicks together on Turkey feed (the turkeys need the higher protein) and keep them together for at least 2 weeks.

In my experience turkey poults will not eat and drink when they are in small groups. They need a parent, or chicks, or your finger, to show them it is time to eat and drink EVERY TIME it is time to eat and drink for the first week or 2.

If the turkeys are for eating... keep them together.... or after you know the turkeys are eating well on their own, if you are worried about the chicks being on such high protein... then segregate.

If the turkeys are to keep for years,I would segregate as soon as you know they are eating and drinking well on their own because you want any toms to KNOW that they are turkeys and not ever try to breed your hens.

Ducks are ducks... so messy pigs. (I have ducks and like them... but I hate to have to brood them) Because they are so messy, it is much easier to have them by themselves.

Also, the same inter-breeding issue can arise if your ducks think they are chickens. Because of that I brood my ducklings by themselves. A drake mating a chicken can cause death (just like a turkey mating a chicken) so I REALLY want them to not get confused.

 

[Newchickenguy84]

I'm getting Royal Palm Turkeys, Cayuga Ducks, Sliver Penciled Cochin, and Easter Eggers so they will be around for awhile. I'm going to separated the ducks from the rest of them and only keep the turkeys and chickens together. I plan on separating them after a month once each of their coops are finished or is that to long?

 

[Alaskan]

I would want to separate them after 2 weeks, or as soon as you know the poults are eating well on their own.

I would worry that a month is too long for them to be together.

 

[Newchickenguy84]

Good to know. Thank you for the advice