New 3 week old poult- miserable. Please Help

[VKat]

Hello. I'm new here and desperate for good, experienced advice.
Yesterday we picked up what was advertised as a "turkey peep". I was hoping for a baby bird that would imprint and become a pet. The breeder told me this baby is 3 weeks old. So far he/she is terrified of me and everything else.
He was kept in very close quarters with the siblings so maybe he imprinted only fellow birds?
I have him indoors and with warmth. But he will not eat, drink, anything. He sits facing the corner like he is the saddest thing ever and just waiting to die.
I've offered food, mealworms, even live small crickets hoping the movement would be stimulating. Nothing.
I read that you dunk their beak in the water, but honestly this bird is so scared I am afraid of traumatizing him more.

What can I do?

 

[red horse ranch]

Like most birds, turkeys are a flock bird. He needs a companion, whether it be turkey or chicken or whatever. For right now, put a mirror in his cage so he can at least talk to himself. But get him a second bird as soon as you can.

 

[VKat]

Thanks for the advice. I realized belatedly that it must be awful for him to be without a bird buddy. Especially considering what he was used to.
He started peeping though, and I tried gently dripping water onto his beak with an oral syringe so he would hopefully lick some moisture. It worked. I repeated the process a bunch to help him get a little hydration.

Then we searched ads and found another place selling turkey poults.
I got him 2 pals. They are a bit older than he is, so we want to introduce them under supervision, but I hope even just hearing and seeing them will help him out.

The best part- while we were out getting his friends, he rallied and ate all the feed in his dish and drained his water bowl.

Today I will take him outside and introduce him to his new pals.