Poult died

[Alwayswantchics]

My baby narragansett turkey died. We only had her for 2 days. She was in the brooder with some older chicks. Any ideas?

 

[ozarkmomma]

I lost one out of six, no sign of illness or injury that I could see. You do have to make SURE they are eating and drinking, you can't assume. I would stick their little beaks in the water and in the food dish several times a day, I did this for a week then I bought 3 day old chicks to put in with them because they seem to do better if they have a role model to show them what to do (eating and drinking) Mine are several weeks old now and doing great. Also, they need a higher protein feed than chicks do. I feed a gamebird feed that is 30%

 

[kuntrygirl]

Sorry to hear about your poult. Poults can be difficult to keep alive. Did you hatch it yourself or did you get it from someone? How older were the older chicks in age? An ozarkmomma is right about the eating. Did you actually see it ever eat? What were they eating?


If you ever decide to raise poults again, I have included a link below that may help you.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/787208/turkeys-101-new-to-turkeys-what-do-i-need-to-know

 

[Alwayswantchics]

No never saw it eat. The chickens are around3 to 4 weeks. Turkey was only days. I got them from Chickens galore in Norco. I talked to Russell and he said that her would replace it.

 

[kuntrygirl]

My own personal opinion here......If the chickens were that much older (3 to 4 weeks), I would not have put a poult that was a couple days old with them. I'm sure that some people have tried it and were successful but I wouldn't. I would be too worried that they would harm him.

According to Storey’s Guide to Raising Turkeys, 3rd Edition http://www.storey.com/book_detail.php?isbn=9781612121499,

"The number one killer of poults in the first 3 days is dehydration. The best prevention is to simply dip each poult's bill in the water as you place it into the brooder area. In this way, a large number of poults will learn to drink and will teach most of the rest. Check the poults every few hours for the first 3 days. Any that seem sluggish should have their bills dipped in water to make sure that they are drinking."

I'm glad that they will replace your poult. Do you have other small chicks that are 2 weeks and younger that you can place the poult with them. If not, then prepare yourself for some work with your new poult. When is your poult coming? You will need to begin preparing now. I strongly suggest you read the link that I posted. Very helpful information list. But please feel free to post any questions where when you get your new poult.

Good luck.