Turkey Talk for 2014

[gevshiba]

Just an interesting tidbit. Someone said they didn't think there were Eastern Wild turkeys in TX. Sorry, I can't remember who. I was listening to the Lonestar Outdoor show on the radio and they were talking turkeys. They said my county has the highest number of Easterns in the state. They didn't say, but I assume they were introduced.

 

[chickadoodles]

Just an interesting tidbit. Someone said they didn't think there were Eastern Wild turkeys in TX. Sorry, I can't remember who. I was listening to the Lonestar Outdoor show on the radio and they were talking turkeys. They said my county has the highest number of Easterns in the state. They didn't say, but I assume they were introduced.

That is great! I have had people drive by my place and stop and ask if my bronze were eastern's. Sorry, not.

 

[AmericanMom]

DH put the little turkey poult down, it was obvious yesterday it would never be able to walk, when I checked it the whole right leg looked like it was turning outward and there was no flexing of the ankles.. Poor little one..

All the others are doing great, the first two hatches are out in the grow out pen with their chicken hatch mates, loads of room 10x20 with a covered secure 5x20 run Stood and watched them for a bit this morning, all go to water and feed without help and are sometimes the only ones at the feed and water. They are already getting to know the adult chickens and turkeys through the fence and have responded to the rooster warning call by getting the heck outta dodge.. Little ones are testing their flying capabilities
Moved this latest hatch to the brooder on the porch, I know were supposed to keep them inside for a few weeks but my allergies have kicked up and they play a huge part, or atleast the poo and down (??) does... The porch is covered and enclosed on three sides, checked them this morning and they were still alittle unsure about the whole deal lol.. They have two weeks in the brooder then out to the grow out pen and clean the brooder for hopefully the next batch, Now as long as I don't lose any of these I can start selling the upcoming poults, already got a few folks wanting some

 

[chickadoodles]

I have ad's running and selling mine as they hatch or right out of the brooder with a 10 day live guarantee as long as they promise to dunk them in food and water every hour.
If I have to move any turkey outside before they are sold they will go in a brooder that is off the ground with a wire bottom and enclosed on three sides for heat at night and when they need it. But I do not put any of my poults on the ground till they are 2 months old here.

But I have two brooders outside that are up off the ground one is 4' and the other is 4x12 and it can be divided into 2 sections if I need it.
I am going to grow some out this year for customers and they will go into two grow out pens.

 

[AmericanMom]

I have ad's running and selling mine as they hatch or right out of the brooder with a 10 day live guarantee as long as they promise to dunk them in food and water every hour.
If I have to move any turkey outside before they are sold they will go in a brooder that is off the ground with a wire bottom and enclosed on three sides for heat at night and when they need it. But I do not put any of my poults on the ground till they are 2 months old here.

But I have two brooders outside that are up off the ground one is 4' and the other is 4x12 and it can be divided into 2 sections if I need it.
I am going to grow some out this year for customers and they will go into two grow out pens.

Why do you not put your poults on the ground til they are two months old?

 

[holm25]

Why do you not put your poults on the ground til they are two months old?

X2

 

[chickadoodles]

Because poults are a lot more tender than chicks and when I first tired it at a month old I lost several. And I read turkey hatching 101 by kuntry girl and she is the one that said she did not put her poults on the ground till 2 months old. And after I did that I did not loose any more. If poults get a chill or damp or wet you will loose them very easily. Unless you have a hen to raise them, which I did let a hen raise some last year and she did a great job! But I will not put any of mine on the ground till 2 months of age. We have very high humidity and a lot of rain and dew on the ground here in AL. So I won't risk it. Not to mention cocci and other problems.

 

[holm25]

Huh OK. We hadour on dirt at 2 weeks and sleeping outside at 3-4 weeks.

 

[gevshiba]

Help! My BBB poults are about 7 weeks old. 2 have started not wanting to stand. They can, and they walk ok when they do, but they lay down most of the time. They eat laying down and are getting trampled. The only thing I changed was I ran out of romaine lettuce for about a week, but I got them some today. I turned the heat off completely yesterday. It's 82 degrees in my house and they are feathered out. As a matter of fact, they are already losing their first set of feathers. All the chicks are fully feathered too and they are 5 and 6 weeks old. Everyone's eating 28% game bird starter. They get greens and veggies daily. Surely they can't be having leg problems already? I plan to put them in the grow out pen as soon as I can get the older chick pen built and move them into it. I got the supplies today, so should have it done this weekend. It's supposed to turn chilly (60's), so I might need to wait a few more days. Any thoughts?

On a happier note, I'm picking up my BR eggs next week from Country Hatchery.

 

[WalnutHill]

I would guess that they don't have much room in your house? I can't imagine keeping turkeys indoors for more than 2 weeks no matter how cold.

Birds need exercise. Keeping them confined is really bad for them. It may not be too late to help them, but get them moving as quickly as possible.