Turkey chicks

[originalcookie]

I just brought my four turkey chicks home. I have always raised chickens, never turkeys. My first impression is that they are truely dumber then chicks. They're cute but they don't have a lot of sense. Trying to get them to eat and drink is hard, but after dunking their beaks a few times, I think they have it. They walk through the grain and peck the side of the wading pool they are in. lol. Seriously though they're adorable and I want them to survive. Advise is greatly appreciated.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Congrats on your new poults.

You may find these links helpful.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/787208/turkeys-101-new-to-turkeys-what-do-i-need-to-know
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/761082/questions-for-experienced-turkey-enthusiast
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ed-help-feeling-in-over-my-head#post_11308446
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/92240/give-me-the-dirt-on-turkeys
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/512320/how-do-i-get-the-poults-to-eat/10
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-posting-questions-about-your-poult-or-turkey
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...r-syndrome-f-o-s-my-experience-and-what-i-did
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/789715/single-poult-what-to-do
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/778331/turkey-poults-love-the-mirror-cute
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/780943/red-bourbon-baby-turkey

 

[ozarkmomma]

My poults seemed to do much better after I got a couple of day old chicks to put in with them. They will copy the chicks and eat/drink more often.

 

[originalcookie]

Can you put them in with chickens?

 

[furbabymum]

Can you put them in with chickens?

I think this always depends on set up. Mine are in together but my space is large enough that there is no fighting. My space is also large enough that I can feed in 5 different areas. I have to feed in so many areas or the guineas and grown chickens would keep everyone else from eating.

 

[gryeyes]

My turkeys are in the flock with my chickens. Also ducks and geese... The tom turkey doesn't like the two ganders, so there are some stalking, warning and feather pulling sessions now and again. Nothing serious.

One female turkey roosts on the same bar as the dominant rooster and his ladies. They all range freely with each other.

 

[originalcookie]

All the books warn you not to put them with chickens but I'd love to when they're old enough. Also if I let them free range will they come home with the chickens? We have five acres.

 

[furbabymum]

All the books warn you not to put them with chickens but I'd love to when they're old enough. Also if I let them free range will they come home with the chickens? We have five acres.

I think that's a disease thing, not housing them together. I could be wrong. I know housing peacocks with chickens is frowned upon because of disease.

My flock all comes home but the different types come home at different times. The chickens go to bed first every night. The peacocks will stay out quite late before going home. I imagine the turkeys, once grown, will band together and come home when they feel like it. All my birds just know where food and shelter is so they all go back to it, even the guineas.