New turkeys, diarrhea question etc.

[gobble]

Hi. I'm in Florida andI have 12 almost 3 week old Bourbon Reds. I've been making my way through the "dirt on turkeys" thread. Things are going well so far, we did lose 3 early on (who seemed to flip over on their back and drown in 1/2 " of water) but today I did notice a couple of them seem to have watery diarrhea. They are not acting sick at all, running around like normal and eating. I did just give them some grass for the first time yesterday, could that have done it, and is it too early? I read/hear much conflicting advice. Should I give them anything for it? I don't want to use antibiotics. They are on medicated 28% game bird starter. I sprinkle some grit on every couple days.

Also, housing: They are in a brooder box that was used for guineas before and is a little small now. We're planning to build one of those pvc moveable pens when they're old enough to go out. Is it really too early now, given that it's pretty much constantly between 80 and 95 degrees here? or is being on the grass the issue? We do have a dog kennel we're not using, a chain-link one on a concrete slab with a roof and one wall, what if we convert that for an intermediate pen? Would they be OK on the concrete with shavings on top? Thanks for your experience/advice you can offer.

 

[onthespot]

Sometimes when it is hot they cool off by drinking more water, and end up pooping it out the other end. It will look clear and watery and not smell bad when it goes through them like that. I think three weeks is too young to move them outside permanently. Might let them range and dustbathe, but keep an eye on them. As soon as they lie down together in a heap like they are cooling off, bring them in. They get chilled easily at that age and can just tip over quick from getting chilled. Or you could set up an outside brooder for them with a heat source, where they can come and go if they want. Make the pen small first, so they don't forget where the heat is, and gradually make the pen bigger if they look like they know their way.

 

[gobble]

That must be it- they're still fine. So hot here! heat index 115 today. . . they're in my barn in the tack room, it has two outside doors so I've been leaving them open with a fan blowing.

 

[Denninmi]

The grass could have done it, too. I give mine greens of some kind every day, yesterday it was cabbage, and they do have very liquid droppings a couple of hours later, but it doesn't seem to hurt them a bit, and they really look forward to this every day. I started when they were small saying "treats, treats" every time I was bringing them some greens, and now all I have to do is say the words "treats, treats" and they start making a racket, from 50 feet away before they can even see me coming.

 

[gobble]

They do love their greens! I'm really enjoying these birds, and they seem to adore me. We're going to keep some to breed, but eat the rest. Might not be easy.