Turkey poults eating after hatch…

[PolloGal]

I was wondering if anyone has found a sure fire way to tell if all your newly hatched poults have begun eating in the brooder? I am trying to prevent problems and I know we can ‘dip’ their beaks often to make sure they are drinking water, but what about food? I have been sprinkling the feed all over the white paper towels and have it in a small feeder in the brooder (which is not very big for them right now…they are 2 days old), but how can I be sure all of them have actually begun eating? I also dip each beak every 2 hours in the water (with electrolytes/vitamins in it too), but not sure how long I need to do that before ALL of them understand. I want to avoid anyone becoming weak or sick from lack of food/water and just keep sleeping their way through the days. I am learning how fragile they are and it has not been a great experience so far…I lost 2 from my previous hatch from different things (tendon issue and one just became so weak after 5 days…I did everything I could…nutri drench,sugar water, eye dropper feed every 2 hours) and don’t want anything to happen to these guys. Anyone have any ideas or have tried something successfully?

 

[Kung_pao]

I don’t raise turkeys anymore but I always put a baby chicken with them to teach them. I never had one starve.

 

[R2elk]

I have zero issues getting poults to eat and drink. I sprinkle the game bird starter on their sand bedding. I know they are eating because the crumbles I sprinkle on their bedding are gone the next day. I sprinkle more game bird starter until I see them eating from the feeder.

They usually start eating the food I sprinkle for them within 15 minutes of being put in the brooder. It can take a couple of days before they realize the stuff in the feeder is food. Once I see them eating from the feeder, I stop sprinkling feed on their bedding.

For water, I dip their beaks in the water the first time I put them in the brooder. After that I leave them alone.

 

[casportpony]

I was wondering if anyone has found a sure fire way to tell if all your newly hatched poults have begun eating in the brooder

I weigh mine at hatch, then daily. The first few days after hatch, some will lose weight, but by day four, they should be gaining weight.

For water, I dip their beaks in the water the first time I put them in the brooder. After that I leave them alone.

I dothis too.

 

[PolloGal]

I have zero issues getting poults to eat and drink. I sprinkle the game bird starter on their sand bedding. I know they are eating because the crumbles I sprinkle on their bedding are gone the next day. I sprinkle more game bird starter until I see them eating from the feeder.

They usually start eating the food I sprinkle for them within 15 minutes of being put in the brooder. It can take a couple of days before they realize the stuff in the feeder is food. Once I see them eating from the feeder, I stop sprinkling feed on their bedding.

For water, I dip their beaks in the water the first time I put them in the brooder. After that I leave them alone.

Ok…so that’s what I have been doing..sprinkling the food on the bedding (while paper towels). I guess I just would have felt better knowing they all were eating. I will just keep a close eye on each one. Thank you.

 

[PolloGal]

Thanks you everyone for your replies.

I don’t raise turkeys anymore but I always put a baby chicken with them to teach them. I never had one starve.

That’s a good idea. I usually am hatching chicks, but not right now…

 

[R2elk]

Ok…so that’s what I have been doing..sprinkling the food on the bedding (while paper towels). I guess I just would have felt better knowing they all were eating. I will just keep a close eye on each one. Thank you.

Watch and see that the food disappears when you aren't looking.

 

[PolloGal]

Watch and see that the food disappears when you aren't looking.

Right…I have seen that. I was just wondering how I can tell if every one of them has begun eating. You know…like sometimes the smallest one is weakest and may need more attention or something.

 

[Tonyroo]

There crops are more noticeable if they are eating regularly. I teach my newly hatched chick on there 3rd day by bobbing my finger in there food and water throughout the day.

 

[PolloGal]

There crops are more noticeable if they are eating regularly. I teach my newly hatched chick on there 3rd day by bobbing my finger in there food and water throughout the day.

That’s a good idea. I will try doing that today.