Post picture of your turkeys!

[WalnutHill]

Thank you for all of the info. I have read blogs where some think turkeys are slow or dumb. I don't think so! But then, some people believe the same about other species of animals. They appear to be pretty intelligent to me. For goodness sakes, they are training me to come when they call. Two of them are doing it now.
Good to know about treats and about potentially aggressive behavior.
I am using Albon (sulfadimethoxine) for the little one since it had blood in the stool and pretty serious lethargy. I don't know where to go from here, though. Today is day 2 and the stools are now normal. I am not sure if I should stop or continue for a couple of more days. I am actually surprised this one is still alive. It has perky moments and is eating and drinking, but still not normal amounts. (Sleeps a lot) I had to make a decision since I did not have Corid on hand, but had the Albon. It is supposed to kill it and I know that small amounts of coccidia is normal and helps to build an immunity...so maybe I should still use Corid later just before they go out and are mixed with others?

When I have a chance, I will try and take pics of the size difference. I am not sure if it is younger or just hasn't been thriving (even before I got it) Maybe you have some tips for me. I have raised many different spieces of birds, and am skilled at tubing them...so I have been supplementing this one. It does feel heavier. At first it was just skin and bones. The others were not plump either, I might add...but even in just two days, their growth is obvious.

Are yours in the house? Maybe these are like this because they can hear and see me come and go around them? They know when I go outside and they REALLY get loud then.



Quote: Turkeys are anything but dumb! But they can obsess on the weirdest things.

I've never used Albon. Corid is amprolium, which is mixed with medicated chick starters as a coccidistat. While I understand it's not safe for waterfowl, it's been my tried and true for 18 years for chickens and turkeys. They don't live in a sanitary environment, I just want to tip the odds in their favor while they are exposed to everything. I'm sure it's different for hen-brooded poults, they are born "in the dirt". Since Michigan hasn't really found springtime yet, I am keeping my chicks and poults in until they are two weeks old, then moving to the coop in a brooder box, then to the floor by four weeks.

 

[Meaola]

Thank you. I will get some Corid. I suppose I should have some on hand anyway. Here are some comparison pics, The first one is the smallest one (one of them that is more red) The second is it next to the biggest one, the main cry baby (Peeping Tom), then all four of them together. In the last pic, it is the one in front. The one furthest away is laying down. Do you think the smallest one appears quite younger than the others?

And, along with being intelligent, they are very entertaining! Peeping Tom was running around with his or her



wings out and herding the others, or showing off. It was very cute. Do both sexes do that as youngsters?

 

[WalnutHill]

Yes, I've seen both tom and hen poults strut before they even have any feathers to show off, and the little one looks like it's about a week younger developmentally than the others.

 

[WVduckchick]

Trying to catch up on this thread, while reading I caught a mention of turkeys and chickens are not good to be housed together (?) I incubated 4 turkey eggs, one ended up being infertile, and 2 quit early, but one hatched. I also hatched 4 ducklings at the same time. The 4 ducklings were a little mean to the turkey, so I moved the turkey out from being with the ducks, and bought 2 baby female golden comet chicks to put in with the turkey. I couldn't find any other newborn turkeys. They are now almost 6 weeks old and have done fine together. But as they continue to grow, I'm wondering if I will need to separate them at some point? What do you suggest?

 

[WalnutHill]

There is a disease called blackhead (which does not result in black heads) that chickens are not severely affected by but turkeys are. It's soil borne, so in areas where blackhead is a threat, it's best not to house them together or let them graze the same ground. That said, mine have cohabitated for 18 years without issue.

 

[WVduckchick]

There is a disease called blackhead (which does not result in black heads) that chickens are not severely affected by but turkeys are. It's soil borne, so in areas where blackhead is a threat, it's best not to house them together or let them graze the same ground. That said, mine have cohabitated for 18 years without issue.

Ok great. I'll read up on that and watch for signs. Any guess on the sex of my turkey? Would you advise me to look into finding another one about the same age as this one? I believe the gal I got the eggs from was also incubating some, so she may have some of its siblings close in age.

 

[WalnutHill]

By the overall stance, leg size, and snood bump I'd guess tom, but it's hard to say. Turkeys do like their own kind, though they are most often tolerant of others (once the others learn their place!)

 

[WVduckchick]

By the overall stance, leg size, and snood bump I'd guess tom, but it's hard to say. Turkeys do like their own kind, though they are most often tolerant of others (once the others learn their place!)

Someone else guessed tom by the size of its feet! If he's a he, he has been very "motherly" to the chicks. But I'm ok with either male or female. They all stay right together when let out of the run. The turkey sure is learning to fly well. It will pick up and sail a good 30 feet! But then comes running back!! I might check and see if she has any of its siblings, or may just keep these 3 together since they are growing up together. I just hatched 10 lavender orpingtons, so it will also depend on how they all integrate eventually.... ugh... Thanks a bunch!

 

[mymilliefleur]

Today is day 29 and sadly no activity with my turkey eggs.

I would have expected at least one to have pipped. Not sure what went wrong. My turkey hen is broody though, and I think I'll let her hatch some eggs. They are a father daughter cross, so not ideal.

 

[WVduckchick]

Today is day 29 and sadly no activity with my turkey eggs. I would have expected at least one to have pipped. Not sure what went wrong. My turkey hen is broody though, and I think I'll let her hatch some eggs. They are a father daughter cross, so not ideal.

How have your temps and humidity been? I had a turkey hatch on day 30, but I had a power outage and low temps for a day. Anything that maybe delayed yours?