Love reading all these post. My hen started laying just before the new year. I took the first 4 eggs and set them on the 1st and I know 2 are developing They are royal palm turkey eggs and very excited. This is my first hatch. I have some questions though. How long should I leave them in the incubator when they hatch (I'm hoping that at least the 2 will hatch) and what's the best way to deal with them after that. I have read a lot but want to here what has worked for you all here.
Hello, and welcome aboard! I leave chicks in the incubator until they are fluffy and cute
then remove them and place them in the brooder with their heat lamp so they can stay toasty warm. I haven't had to brood many turks myself (my hens usually took care of that), but I made some observations about the ones I did keep inside:
- baby turkeys aren't the smartest creatures on the planet, they seem to have problems finding food and water. IMO, they do better if they chicken chicks to show them where everything is. So, if you can, it would be a great idea to set some chicken eggs with them (they'd be set 7 day after the turkey eggs).
- poults are very sensitive to temp, so when you think they've been under the heat long enough, keep them there a little longer. People always told me "poults are so dumb, they'll stand out in the rain, look up and drown themselves!". Again, my opinion, but birds that aren't feeling well will kind of hunch and look up, so I think they just get cold and die from that. So when you do put them outside, a covered run might benefit them greatly.
Other than that, I treated them just like chicks and they did fine. Good luck, keep us updated on your progress!
Nikki
BUT I'm do for my first "lock down" to start on the 18th.) OH and if anyone is interested I'll have a dozen hatching egg's ready to ship on the 16th! Just PM me I'd hate to have to toss'em.
