Need info PLEASE...for "saved" turkey!

[Krisymof2]

SO when I went to pick up my baby chicks from our local feed store last week, they had a box set aside with some chicks, baby ducks, and turkey poults that were dead, sick, or dying, they were still picking them out when we got there. We were there for quite a while (like an hour) while they picked out the specific breeds I wanted, meanwhile my son was holding one of the turkey poults that had been put in the box because it had splayed legs, and was begging for us to try to save it....well save it we did (even though I didn't think it would make it). When I got home I used the band-aid trick to keep the legs together and now its doing fine. I know nothing about turkeys or their needs. The turkey is in the brooder with the chickens, I knew enough to keep it there so it would learn to eat and drink....but now what? If someone could point me in the direction of a thread or website that would help me out I would be very appreciative!!! Thanks in advance!

~Krsitin

 

[Krisymof2]

Anyone Please?!

 

[PaigeHgibson]

good job taking in the turkey ! I always feel bad for splay legged birds and i fix them

It would be best to seperate the turkey from chicks because Turkeys can make chickens VERY sick
and i would buy some starter specifically for gamebirds and turkeys
Hope i helped a little

 

[bluegoose]

turkeys are harder to raise then chickens but easy if you take good care of them.like not letting them get cold or wet.and give them gamebird starter if you have any ? just ask there are a lot of turkey people here that will be more then glad to help.some people keep chicks and turkeys in the same brooder and some dont.if you put the turkey by itself just make sure it stays warm just like your chicks.

 

[jasonm11]

If you are going to save the poult then feed it and the chicks gamebird starter. The turkey will need lots of protein in the first few months. If you do not feed a higher protein it will not develop properly and his leg issues will never straighten out. The extra protein will not hurt the chicks, tehy will just get bigger quicker.

 

[Krisymof2]

OK so headed to feed store for higher protein feed for everyone. I would like to keep the turkey with the chicks if it can be done, as I don't have a second brooder set up. Right now her legs are looking pretty straightened out (thank goodness), but the band-aid is staying in place for a few more days. Anything else? Please!! How about when she goes outside? Any special concerns? I'm guessing from reading a bit that I will probably have to clip her wings? My coop's run area is 8'x4' so I'm not sure if this is enough for her (I'm guessing not)? Thanks again!!

~Kristin

 

[Jocasta]

It's not turkeys that make chickens sick, it's the other way around and it's not exactly likely, just a risk to consider. Most people who keep turkeys and chickens together do so without incident and it's not an issue, it's especially unlikely (probably impossible although I couldn't say for sure) for chickens who have been artificially hatched and never been on the ground to carry the specific parasite that can make turkeys sick.

The reason that everyone warns against keeping chickens and turkeys together is that *if* turkeys do contract blackhead desease, it's devastating for the turkeys and almost always fatal. Most areas dont even have the necessary parasite present though so it's not an issue.

Good luck with this lil guy.

 

[Krisymof2]

So I guess I'll be keeping everyone together for the time being, as I know they came from a hatchery.

So the turkey can go to the coop when the chickens go out, at like 6 weeks? And as for my coops run area am I going to need a bigger area, or seperate area for her?

Thanks again for all the input and advice!!

~Kristin

 

[bluegoose]

I have turkeys running with my chickens and have never had any problems.where I live Blackhead Desease is not a problem and if you keep your birds wormed that will help.ask around where you live and ask a vet if any Desease in chickens or turkeys are found in your area.its better to ask locals whats in your area then someone 500 or so miles away.here you will find out what to look for.example I have Bears on my farm do you.no disrespect to anyone here on BYC. just my 2 cents.

 

[bryan99705]

Lots of patience, the correct feed (not chicken feed, and enjoy. Once you get past the first couple weeks your turkey will be pretty well on it's own.

Please explain the "bandaid" trick you used