Turkey Talk for 2014

[Reyvaughn]

I have a question.

Now, I know I have 2 different girls laying, maybe all three. One egg is more white then the other 2 girls' egg, unless this is due to a lack of calcium (I have added it to their dish since they started laying). I haven't been getting eggs every day. I get one, then none for 2 days. Then one, maybe two and none for another 2-3 days. Is this normal because they are just starting, or...? I was under the impression that they laid an egg pretty much every day once they start until they decide to go broody (if allowed).

 

[Penny Hen]

we had a hen turkey who hurt her leg over the winter

we had her inside of a large dog crate in the kitchen (yes we are strange)

my wife gave her duramycin & chick-saver in the water

she also force fed yogurt (the bird didn't know what yogurt was)

it worked & the hen is now laying for us

A syringe makes force feeding yogurt easy.

 

[Penny Hen]

ouch! yes I'm pretty respectful of electricity

I want to see NO BARE WIRES EVER!

Me either but under stand I made an error of 1/16th of an inch. The wires were not touching but the electricity arced.

 

[sonderah]

Similar question as above except... My turkey has been laying consistently everyday for 6 weeks. Now she seems to be laying every other day for this week. She is penned, so lays in a brooder cage I added with a big comfy nest. Should I be concerned, or is she just worn out and taking it slow this week?

 

[Attila the Hen]

Sydney, Thank you so very much for your in depth response. I have saved it for future reference as I am sure it will be helpful. I have to go out of town tomorrow and was worried sick about this poor turkey. I have a pet sitter coming in but I didn't feel I could ask her to give him the intensive nursing he needs. I have resolved it by putting him in the care of someone who is experienced with turkeys and will give him the care and warm environment he needs. I hope he survives. He is a dear creature.

I did follow your suggestions as far as I could and was able to get only a very little bit of water down him. I am hoping the invermectin will take affect and be the cure he needs. I didn't quarantine him as I don't have any other turkeys other than the one that arrived the same day he did. I will keep you posted on the outcome.
I have a lot to learn and again, I so appreciate your time and generosity.

 

[K Epp]

I was trying yo take a pic of the ducklings who just moved in to Spa La'Garage and their new set up. Photo Bombed by Bonnie Blue.

 

[K Epp]

I hadn't planned on breeding Bonnie Blue until next year because of her small stature and poor nutrition when I got her a few weeks ago. She follows my around like a puppy and is always under foot. Today she was extra bad and every time I reached down and petted her she laid down and it was all I could do to get her up before one of those times got her well I turned my back for 30 seconds and turned around and she and Rhett Butler were busy at it. She isn't laying, but I guess it isn't that far away.

 

[gevshiba]

Hi there. My kids are getting their first poults (BBW) for their 4-H projects next Monday. We've never had any turkeys before. We feed fermented feed to our chickens. Has anyone here started pullets with fermented feed or do you wait until a certain age to ferment their feed? I picked up game bird feed to start them on, but I wasn't't sure if I should start it fermenting or wait. TIA

I started my BBB poults on FF right away. I fed chick starter because I didn't want soy or GMO and all the game bird had both. I supplemented to up the protein. Mine did great. They still eat FF broiler.

 

[gevshiba]

I have a question.

Now, I know I have 2 different girls laying, maybe all three. One egg is more white then the other 2 girls' egg, unless this is due to a lack of calcium (I have added it to their dish since they started laying). I haven't been getting eggs every day. I get one, then none for 2 days. Then one, maybe two and none for another 2-3 days. Is this normal because they are just starting, or...? I was under the impression that they laid an egg pretty much every day once they start until they decide to go broody (if allowed).

Mine did the same when they started laying. Now I have 3 that lay nearly every day. I just lost a hen last week, so I'm waiting to see if it's my occasional layer, or my frequent layer. I got 4 eggs today, so I'm hopeful.

 

[piglett]

I hadn't planned on breeding Bonnie Blue until next year because of her small stature and poor nutrition when I got her a few weeks ago. She follows my around like a puppy and is always under foot. Today she was extra bad and every time I reached down and petted her she laid down and it was all I could do to get her up before one of those times got her well I turned my back for 30 seconds and turned around and she and Rhett Butler were busy at it. She isn't laying, but I guess it isn't that far away.

sounds like the ol' girl was in need of some lovin