Newbie witha "is this normal?" Turkey Questions

[Rayolamp]

Hello all
Got out of chickens and into Turkeys.
I have some questions. hoping someone has a few answers or ideas?

Bourbon and Black mix?
I just got these two young ones, was told there 1+1/2 months old, I am in doubt about that, they still have alot of Fuzz feathers on them and they seem awful small. A good size comparison is the chicken small feeding bowl, Bottom portion. Any input on that?

Also was told they were taken from under there mother and went into shock during there comming to us, does that sound normal??

Have had them for about 5 hours now and all they want to do is sit, just like in the pic. They are looking around some what but very inactive. Now if you pic them up they get very active kicking there feet and chirping to beat the band, put them back down and nothing!

They appear quite healthy, no vissible bare spots, bugs or anything, breathing looks normal, legs are in great shape and seem strong. There not eating or drinking, although I did put there beaks in the waterer and they both drunk from it. But there just not active!! They just sit there!! Is this normal for very young transplanted turkeys???

Any input would be helpful!!!

 

[bxrowley]

I had a similar experience with two RPs. When they were in the brooder they just sat, so I took them outside and put them in the lawn and they took off. I did that a couple times per day until I move them into the coop. I'd say the poults look to be 3-4 weeks old. The BRs in my avatar were about 4 weeks. Good luck

 

[Rayolamp]

Thanks for the reply!
For a test I took them out to our big kitchen area and put them on the floor, wow your right. They both took off exploring and chirping away as happy as could be. Ofcourse I had to clean up there little messes but glad to see it's a living situation and not something worse!
So it looks like I need to get there outside roaming area ready now. Not sure if there old enough to be outside full time yet or not?? 3 to 4 weeks old seems like a good ballpark figure. Whats the norm for fulltime outdoor living for turkeys? Had my chickens out after 6 weeks they seemed to do just fine..

 

[Chambertin]

Always heard it was same as chickens: Depends on the feathers and predators, so I followed that logic.
If nothing that wants to eat them much, look at the feathers. Until you see decent feather coverage have them sleep in a warmer place. (doesnt need "heat" just needs to be warmer than air temp when they get in)
If their feathers are full, then full time outside.

I've kept mine in the garden since their feathers were full and they just loved it. After the first confusing night outside they dumped the box in favor of a small tree in the corner.
Before that I put them back in a cardboard box with some old newspapers to sleep. Didnt like it as much as outside but helped them stay warm.

I'd say yours still want something that helps them hold in the heat when they sleep. Give em a couple weeks and they might just find a nice tree branch out of the wind to keep them happy.

However if there are plenty of things that would like a poultry snack in your neighborhood better make sure there's a secure coop for sleeping and escaping to when that offending predator comes near.

 

[bxrowley]

I would keep them in the booder until they feather out and depending on the weather. It's warm in Virginia where I am, and the coop probably doesn't get below 70 at night, which would be fine for yours. Like I said, take them outside a couple times per day. Setup a temporary pen if possible for your convenience. If you aren't already, I suggest vitamins in the water too. You should have already been doing that. I suppliment their water until they're 6-8 weeks. It should be fine as it get stronger and gains confidence. Good luck

 

[Rayolamp]

Ok had them out in the pen area this morning. Escape artists! Alot more needs to be done to keep them in the pen. But they seemed to enjoy roaming around. Glad to see them active!!

You mentioned vitamins in there water? Ok what should I start them with as far as vitamins? I have a great coop in town so can pick them up some this evening!

I think there finally drinking, There waterer was down quite a bit this morning as compared to last nite before bed time. Still not sure if there eating yet? But there poop is looking better than it did yesterday, Was runny now seems a bit more solid.

 

[bxrowley]

I use Dervet Poultry Vitamins & Electrolytes-M55 ($3.95 for 8 oz ordered from Cutler Supply). It's for poultry, swine, cattle, etc. Your coop should have it or any feed supply. One 8oz pack will be more than enough for you, and it's also good to suppliment during hot/cold weather or when you bring in new stock for stress.

 

[PekinBantam]

If I were you I'd add something to make sure they are warm at night... The shock must be from being taken from the mother before they were ready, but then again, I know that some chicken chicks are taken at 1 day old without any problems so maybe not... And yes, they do look like they are younger than 1 and a half months old... Where did you get them from? But they appear to be fine now, running around in the yard, maybe it was just "moving stress"

 

[Rayolamp]

There doing much better now that they've gotten used to us and there surroundings. There a bit more active in the brooder now. There eating good and drinking!
Currently there spending the days in an outdoor pen we built for them, they seem to love it. Were going to get a run and coop set up for them in the next few weeks so they can be outsiders full time, they'll probably be ready for it by then.
We found them on our local Craigslist, they came off a farm in eastern colo.

 

[Chambertin]

Glad to hear they are doing better. Have fun with them!