Please help me!

[bigbird]

I did. What I’ve noticed is that it’s hungry, but when it tries to eat or drink, it chokes and shakes it head wildly from side to side. Almost like it’s trying to get it out of its mouth.

 

[R2elk]

i am in the process of uploading a YouTube video now. In answers to your questions, I have 4 in a recycling plastic bucket. It’s 18x25x12 with no top on. It’s also away from windows and doors. The temperature on the floor is always between 92-96. They have a small towel over 1/4 of it in case it gets too hot. They also have towels crumbled up inside to be able to adjust to the height that feels comfortable to them. I just started feeding them freezed dried meal worms as a last ditched effort this morning, and yes, they are provided chick grit.
The reasoning behind multiple foods is when I went to buy them some, I didn’t realize that they needed so much protein. I went to another store and found 24% which was the highest they had. I again went to another store and found ultra kibble for chicks, and thought that would be good. It has 29.64 protein.
Their water has had electrolytes and probiotics since they were able to drink. I have just made hard boiled eggs and offered it to it. I also checked its throat to see if it had a blockage, and didn't appear to have one. I always check for strings on towels. I know they like to peck at them. Again, I’m at a loss. I’ve hatched chickens, ducks, geese and pheasants. I’ve never encountered anything like this.
Thanks for everyone’s help.

I start my poults at 90°F measured at the bedding level and reduce the temperature by 5°F once a week until they are at the ambient temperature.

Placing a towel over the container will help hold the heat in and reduce the air exchange. That small of a brooder makes it unlikely that they can get away from the heat.

Your description of the poult's behavior does indicate that it is not being able to swallow the food which likely means it has a blockage somewhere between its mouth and its crop. If the obstruction is too far in you will not be able to see it. You may want to very gently palpate its throat and crop.

 

[bigbird]

I will try that now, and lower the heat. I can remove the towel.
Thanks!

 

[peacockfarmer]

chop lettuce as fine as you can cut it like grass and give it to them. later grind cat food to a powder and turkey starter too and put the powder on the lettuce. give them a little tray of ground starter/cat food mixed 50/50 to peck in. they need a bigger box to get away from the heat.

 

[bigbird]

chop lettuce as fine as you can cut it like grass and give it to them. later grind cat food to a powder and turkey starter too and put the powder on the lettuce. give them a little tray of ground starter/cat food mixed 50/50 to peck in. they need a bigger box to get away from the heat.

Thank you! I will go to the store and get what you recommend. How much bigger of an enclosure do I need, and any brand of cat food? I’m assuming red/green leaf lettuce or romaine would be good?

 

[bigbird]

You put how many poults inside what size of bucket? Do you have any idea what the temperature is in the bucket at the bedding level? Do you know that they do need ventilation and they do need to be able to move freely to and from the heat? Chick feed is not appropriate for turkey poults and not just because of the protein content. I have seen chick feed anywhere from 15% protein to 24% protein. For turkey poults the lysine, methionine and niacin levels also need to be higher than what is provided in chick starter.

You are offering them mealworms but are you offering them grit so they can digest the mealworms? Too many mealworms can cause excessive protein levels and cause kidney damage.

Since you don't seem to be offering them the appropriate feed, are you supplementing their feed with crumbled hard boiled eggs (without the shells)? Crumbled hard boiled eggs are really good for them.

Since I have them on 29% feed, do they still need crumbled egg? Can too much protein hurt them? Thanks. They healthy ones are fighting over the egg. Lol

 

[R2elk]

Since I have them on 29% feed, do they still need crumbled egg? Can too much protein hurt them? Thanks. They healthy ones are fighting over the egg. Lol

The crumbled egg will be good for them but if you are feeding them proper turkey food, it is not necessary. Too much protein (approximately 40% protein) can cause kidney damage in turkeys. Hard boiled eggs are only about 12% protein so there is no danger of too much protein from them.

 

[R2elk]

chop lettuce as fine as you can cut it like grass and give it to them. later grind cat food to a powder and turkey starter too and put the powder on the lettuce. give them a little tray of ground starter/cat food mixed 50/50 to peck in.

A quality turkey/gamebird starter (28% to 30% protein) has the correct balance of protein and nutrients. When you alter it by adding things that may or may not have the same ingredients you are not doing a good thing. It isn't all about the protein content but is also about the proper levels of lysine, methionine and niacin.

I don't know what the levels are in the cat food that you use and seriously doubt that those levels are the same in all cat feed, so I personally would not follow your recommendations.

 

[bigbird]

The crumbled egg will be good for them but if you are feeding them proper turkey food, it is not necessary. Too much protein (approximately 40% protein) can cause kidney damage in turkeys. Hard boiled eggs are only about 12% protein so there is no danger of too much protein from them.

One last question in re: to food, please. How long do they need to be on this high of a protein diet? When do you go to regular crumbles/pellets and how? Is it done by age? Do your wean them down and then off? Is there a certain % that they need to stay on? My adult turkeys (3) are eating the same food as my chickens, which is 16-18%.

 

[R2elk]

One last question in re: to food, please. How long do they need to be on this high of a protein diet? When do you go to regular crumbles/pellets and how? Is it done by age? Do your wean them down and then off? Is there a certain % that they need to stay on? My adult turkeys (3) are eating the same food as my chickens, which is 16-18%.

The label on the Turkey/Gamebird starter bag usually recommends feeding it for 6 weeks although some recommend 8 weeks. The next step is turkey/gamebird grower which is typically 24% protein and is recommended until they are 4 to 6 months old.

A quality all flock or chicken feed of 16% protein feed is fine for adults.

I normally feed the turkey/gamebird starter for the first two to four weeks and then switch to grower for 2 to 4 weeks. I am not consistent because late in the season, they will often get the starter for a longer period of time as I feed it until the 50 lb. sack is empty.