turkey poult death

[kmb221]

Okay. No one responded to my post about the poult just dying out of the blue. They are only a week old tomorrow and over the weekend I put the packing peanuts in another brooder. Should I put the chicks back in with the turkeys. I guess I'm thinking that maybe without the chicks, they are not eating and drinking like they should. Any suggestions would help. I really don't want to lose any more turkeys. I'm down to 9 now.

 

[JulieNKC]

I think poults are just more delicate and sometimes seem to die for no reason. I would leave the peanuts out. Maybe give them some grit and scatter a little birdseed on top of their food to encourage them to eat? Are they on turkey or gamebird starter? Poults need more protein than chicks.

 

[kmb221]

They are on turkey starter. I know they are more touchy. I guess I'm just freaking out because I've never had a problem with my chicks. I was thinking about putting the chicks back in just for a few more days, just in case, they are not eating and drinking like they should be on their own. I have given electrolytes and vitamin powder in water and have also put ACV in also.

 

[JulieNKC]

How many packing peanuts are there? Maybe put 2 or 3 in. I'd just worry that they are more pushy than poults and could possibly keep them away from food/water. I have one EE in with mine.

ACV is wonderful for them I think, and the electrolytes too. Sounds like you're doing everything right, and hopefully you just had a weak poult and everyone else will be fine.

 

[kmb221]

Sounds like we are both thinking alike. They sent me 11 packing peanuts, so I was thinking about only putting 2 or 3 back in with the poults. I'm just a worry wart when it comes to my animals.

 

[JulieNKC]

Me too. It doesn't help that they just seem so much more gangly and not as sturdy, lol. Plus they are so much more friendly I get more attached to them than chicks.

 

[kmb221]

Yes, we noticed that they are so sweet. This is our first time with turkeys, but can already see that they seem more laid back than the chicks when it comes to human contact. Thanks for all your help. This is just all part of raising animals, I know, but you just don't want to do anything to cause their demise.

 

[mamawolf544]

I use shiny dimes and quarters in there feed, they are fascinated by shiny objects. I also put a couple of pretty marbles in there drinking water.
They are nosy after a couple of days they get the idea.
If they are still dying and you have them on turkey starter I would think more that they were just a weak batch of poults.
If the bird's aren't fed a high protein feed you have the possibilty of getting inferior poults.
I keep my turkey's on no lower than 28% gamebird crumbles. It is hard to find turkey feed here. And yes it is expensive but I think it is worth it for quality eggs and poults.

 

[Cottage Rose]

What are the packing peanuts for and what is ACV?
Thanks!

 

[JulieNKC]

What are the packing peanuts for and what is ACV?
Thanks!

Packing peanuts are roo chicks that ship to keep poults warm during shipping. Sometimes a chick brooded with the poults can show the turkeys how to eat and drink if they don't figure it out themselves. ACV- apple cider vinegar