Poult pricing advice needed?

[Buck Creek Chickens]

up to 10 days work, blackhead is a problem if its in youe area but you don't need worry about chicks unless they have been out side in a yard on the ground, some of my chickens and turkeys run together in the summer

 

[taraann81]

Thanks, I'm glad that will work out well

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

It's not that hard to raise turkeys, we have them everywhere right now from just hatched Bourbons up to 4 or 5 month old White Hollands that just went out with the flock this weekend. Once you have a system down there is nothing to it. Couple of things we learned over the years.

Raise them with chicks if you are only hatching a few turkeys - the chicks are more active than the poults at first and keep the brooder moving and the poults will follow them. Once the poults are eating and drinking well about a week or so we seperate them back out since we feed them different.

Never over crowd them and keep the litter clean and dry. If it get damp that is very bad for poults. clean water at all times is a given.

Feed the highest protein feed you can get - we use a 28% medicated game bird starter. We only feed our little ones medicated feed.


For blackhead it has to be there first, we have never had any trouble with it here.

Steve in NC

 

[taraann81]

Thanks for the advice Steve. I went and checked out your website, it is a great site! I find the Beltsville small white such an interesting bird with a neat history, I look forward to raising some of my own.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Thanks,

You will be pleased with the Beltsville. That's why we got got them because of the history. I had the chance to chat with some of the people that worked with them at the Ames research station is Iowa. I just wish some of the records from the original breeding program in Beltsville, MD were availible.

Steve

 

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

we sell our poults for 7-8 dollars each.

others sell them from 9-12 dollars each.

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

when its $5 I ether know the person well or they are right out of the shell, I've seen them go for up to $12 each all depends on what they want and what you have

 

[walkswithdog]

Black head is a regional disease. Your area either has it or it doesn't and your local extension agent will know if it's endemic to your area. ASK.

If you have black head in your region then NO you can't.

If you don't have black head in your region, then yes, you can.

That's why there are TWO answers.

I can. I do.

 

[Laskaland]

Quote:
That is GREAT advice

Seriously!
I did it the second batch (with the chicks) and these guys/gals picked up on eating and drinking so much faster. They need heat, though, even if they are getting HUGE, (compared to the chickens). I bought the first batch from a hatchery and was disappointed by the quality (I think they had worms too- very odd poopies). The second batch I ordered from Murray Mcmurray and have been SOOOOO pleased- got Narraganset, White Midget, Royal Palm and Blue Slate. All are healthy- out of 30, I lost 2 the first week. That's about the expected mortality rate, I am told- 10-15% on poults
VERY fragile, need more attention for sure (was on pins and needles that first week!)

I am in love with the turkeys now. Can't wait to watch them grow

christina

 

[taraann81]

I keep my chickens under th e heat lamp for six weeks. How much longer do I have to keep the poults under heat?