royal palm chicks dying

[courtsmarans]

Hey guys, I finally made the decision to get myself some heritage turkeys and so far it's not going great. I purchased 4 and one died before we even got home (only 30 min drive). The breeder has agreed to "replace" the chick. However, when I went to check on them this morning another one had died. It didn't look like anything external was wrong with it. It really looked like it just killed over randomly. The temperature is correct in the brooder, no drafts or anything. Last night the three remaining ones were eating and running around doing little turkey things. Feeling frustrated and was wondering if anyone had some advice.
* I included a picture of the one that died this morning, sorry if this makes you feel uncomfortable*

 

[MGG]

Sorry about your turkey chicks. I'm not sure what could have happened to them, I hope someone else chimes in soon

 

[ShannonR]

Turkeys can be really frail as poults. Cocci is big killer. When I raised turkeys I always raised the poults off the ground, in an old rabbit hutch for several weeks. This significantly decreased mortality.

 

[ShannonR]

Oh, and what are you feeding them? Had a friend once who was using regular chick starter... once I convinced him to use higher protein feed his losses were greatly reduced.

 

[courtsmarans]

Turkeys can be really frail as poults. Cocci is big killer. When I raised turkeys I always raised the poults off the ground, in an old rabbit hutch for several weeks. This significantly decreased mortality.

I think the breeder still had them inside when we went to pick them up and we have them on cement/shavings. Unfortunately, I don't think that is the problem. Though you have reminded me that I should mix in some medicated feed with their starter feed.

 

[courtsmarans]

Oh, and what are you feeding them? Had a friend once who was using regular chick starter... once I convinced him to use higher protein feed his losses were greatly reduced.

We are using a game bird/turkey starter

 

[R2elk]

Hey guys, I finally made the decision to get myself some heritage turkeys and so far it's not going great. I purchased 4 and one died before we even got home (only 30 min drive). The breeder has agreed to "replace" the chick. However, when I went to check on them this morning another one had died. It didn't look like anything external was wrong with it. It really looked like it just killed over randomly. The temperature is correct in the brooder, no drafts or anything. Last night the three remaining ones were eating and running around doing little turkey things. Feeling frustrated and was wondering if anyone had some advice.
* I included a picture of the one that died this morning, sorry if this makes you feel uncomfortable*
View attachment 2022181

Far too little information to reach any conclusions as to the problems. What is your brooder set up, bedding material, etc. and what is the temperature measured at the bedding level?

FYI, baby turkeys are referred to as poults.

 

[courtsmarans]

Far too little information to reach any conclusions as to the problems. What is your brooder set up, bedding material, etc. and what is the temperature measured at the bedding level?

FYI, baby turkeys are referred to as poults.

The brooder is set up the same way that we did for our meat turkeys when we had them and we didn't have a single one die in that stage. The temperature reads to be about 96.
I guess the main thing I'm trying to figure out is if I need to let the breeder know that this is happening to see if she has a problem on her end.

 

[mandelyn]

How old were they when you got them? Poults can be really sensitive. Do you happen to know if the breeder hatched them or are they from a shipment they received? It's a weird time of year for Heritage babies, is why I ask about that.

Sounds like you have the right set-up/feed. From the picture it doesn't look like they're over 2 weeks, so it might be too soon for Coccidia to be killing them already.