Rescued turkeys

[Chikn-Chik]

I will probably be acquiring a pair of turkeys within the next couple weeks from a neighbor. A slate tom and I’m not sure what the hen is. They will have to be housed with my chickens temporarily until I can get them a coop of their own built. Right now the only feed ration they get is cracked corn. My hens eat 16% layer. Is it a bad idea for them to immediately go from corn to layer? They aren’t in the best shape right now and I can tell they need a better diet. But quick changes aren’t always the best thing.

 

[R2elk]

I will probably be acquiring a pair of turkeys within the next couple weeks from a neighbor. A slate tom and I’m not sure what the hen is. They will have to be housed with my chickens temporarily until I can get them a coop of their own built. Right now the only feed ration they get is cracked corn. My hens eat 16% layer. Is it a bad idea for them to immediately go from corn to layer? They aren’t in the best shape right now and I can tell they need a better diet. But quick changes aren’t always the best thing.

As long as they are adult turkeys, they will do fine on the 16% protein layer feed. It is a much healthier diet for them than corn is. Corn is not a complete food and does not meet their nutritional needs. The problem might be getting them to eat your chicken feed since they are used to just getting corn.

You might want to add a vitamin supplement such as Nutri-Drench to their water to help them improve.

 

[Chikn-Chik]

Thanks! I’m really excited about getting them

 

[Chikn-Chik]

Rounded them up today and here they are! Jim Tom and Overa. The gobbler is actually a sweetheart, the hen is very timid. They settled in well with the hens, which is great.

I’m going to research but I’ll throw it out here anyway. Does anyone know what breed Overa might be? To me Jim Tom looks to be a Slate. We will see how he looks when his feathers come in better.

 

[llombardo]

Don't know about breeds but I love that they are all getting along

 

[R2elk]

Rounded them up today and here they are! Jim Tom and Overa. The gobbler is actually a sweetheart, the hen is very timid. They settled in well with the hens, which is great.

I’m going to research but I’ll throw it out here anyway. Does anyone know what breed Overa might be? To me Jim Tom looks to be a Slate. We will see how he looks when his feathers come in better.

The breed is Turkey. All domestic turkeys are one breed but there are many varieties.
Porter's Rare Heritage Turkeys is a good place to see many of the heritage varieties.

Your tom appears to be a Red Slate but it is hard to tell because of his poor feather condition. The hen looks like Bronze.

 

[ronott1]

That is very exciting!

Have fun learning to take care of them