Turkey Talk for 2014

[Pretty Chickens]

If you click on the quote button (middle of group of three buttons in lower right corner) of the post that you are replying to, it will quote the post that you are replying to and no one will have to guess who you are replying to.

Ok thanks. I am not good with computers. Thanks to all the friends that help me.

 

[gevshiba]

I hope this might help someone else.

Thursday morning, 4 of 8 poults started flipping over and thrashing, heads thrown back. Right away, I gave them some beef heart and B complex. 3 semi recovered within hours, but one did not. The 3 were better, but not their usual rowdy selves. I was pretty sure I would lose the one who wasn't better. He continued to seize off and on and was getting weak. Today, I remembered something. Alfalfa. I ran down to the barn for some alfalfa cubes and soaked them in my fermented food until they were soft and broke apart. I fed the 7 a mix of the alfalfa and FF. Within a short time, they were running around, flying and launching off the waterer and heater. The 8th (and oldest) was in a crate by himself. I tried to get some fluid from the alfalfa/FF mix down him, but not much luck. I put a little in his bowl and went out to care for the other birds. I've had a few of the younger poults in the coop acting a little off, so I took them the same mix. When I got back, I noticed the poult had eaten all his food and looked brighter. I gave him more and he ate most of it. He was crying for his buddies, so I put him back with them. I can't tell there was ever anything wrong now. This is a vitamin A deficiency. I normally start feeding a little alfalfa around 3-4 weeks, but I totally forgot this time. Lesson learned!

 

[BullChick]

My Bourbons roosted last night!! Since building a new pen, and putting them in with the BB, they have been sleeping on the ground. It took exactly one week for them to start roosting again.

 

[Pretty Chickens]

I hope this might help someone else.

Thursday morning, 4 of 8 poults started flipping over and thrashing, heads thrown back. Right away, I gave them some beef heart and B complex. 3 semi recovered within hours, but one did not. The 3 were better, but not their usual rowdy selves. I was pretty sure I would lose the one who wasn't better. He continued to seize off and on and was getting weak. Today, I remembered something. Alfalfa. I ran down to the barn for some alfalfa cubes and soaked them in my fermented food until they were soft and broke apart. I fed the 7 a mix of the alfalfa and FF. Within a short time, they were running around, flying and launching off the waterer and heater. The 8th (and oldest) was in a crate by himself. I tried to get some fluid from the alfalfa/FF mix down him, but not much luck. I put a little in his bowl and went out to care for the other birds. I've had a few of the younger poults in the coop acting a little off, so I took them the same mix. When I got back, I noticed the poult had eaten all his food and looked brighter. I gave him more and he ate most of it. He was crying for his buddies, so I put him back with them. I can't tell there was ever anything wrong now. This is a vitamin A deficiency. I normally start feeding a little alfalfa around 3-4 weeks, but I totally forgot this time. Lesson learned!

That is very good to know . I have never given them alfalfa, but I have to go buy there food today and I will buy some. I have 12 hens. How much food should I give them every day? In another cage I have 3 hens one rooster and a turkey. They are going to be 4 weeks on Monday, and that is why they are in a big cage.

 

[Pretty Chickens]

My Bourbons roosted last night!! Since building a new pen, and putting them in with the BB, they have been sleeping on the ground. It took exactly one week for them to start roosting again.

I am thinking of putting all my birds together. I have a big run and one side is covered for sleep and shade. The babies will be one month on Monday and the others are 7 weeks on Monday. Do you think It will be a good idea?

 

[BullChick]

My Bourbons roosted last night!! Since building a new pen, and putting them in with the BB, they have been sleeping on the ground. It took exactly one week for them to start roosting again.

I am thinking of putting all my birds together. I have a big run and one side is covered for sleep and shade. The babies will be one month on Monday and the others are 7 weeks on Monday. Do you think It will be a good idea?

Not if the older ones are Bb. If they are all the same breed, go for it.

 

[Pretty Chickens]

Not if the older ones are Bb. If they are all the same breed, go for it.

Yes they are all chickens, I have one bb but he is also 4 weeks

 

[gevshiba]

That is very good to know . I have never given them alfalfa, but I have to go buy there food today and I will buy some. I have 12 hens. How much food should I give them every day? In another cage I have 3 hens one rooster and a turkey. They are going to be 4 weeks on Monday, and that is why they are in a big cage.

I throw a handful of cubes in the FF bucket. I feed nearly a bucket a day of FF, so it doesn't sit long. I'm feeding 21 turkeys and 16 chickens. I guess if I were feeding dry feed, I'd soak the cubes in water until they break apart and free choice it. It will spoil, so don't put out too much at a time. Today, I'm going to grab some alfalfa hay at my horse feeding job. He has some really pretty, fine stemmed hay for the old horses. I'll free choice that for awhile. I don't think, after my birds recover, that it needs to be given daily. Maybe once a week for awhile. Just my opinion though. Maybe someone with more experience will chime in. Make sure they have access to grit when you feed alfalfa.

 

[CherMoz]

I hope this might help someone else.

Thursday morning, 4 of 8 poults started flipping over and thrashing, heads thrown back. Right away, I gave them some beef heart and B complex. 3 semi recovered within hours, but one did not. The 3 were better, but not their usual rowdy selves. I was pretty sure I would lose the one who wasn't better. He continued to seize off and on and was getting weak. Today, I remembered something. Alfalfa. I ran down to the barn for some alfalfa cubes and soaked them in my fermented food until they were soft and broke apart. I fed the 7 a mix of the alfalfa and FF. Within a short time, they were running around, flying and launching off the waterer and heater. The 8th (and oldest) was in a crate by himself. I tried to get some fluid from the alfalfa/FF mix down him, but not much luck. I put a little in his bowl and went out to care for the other birds. I've had a few of the younger poults in the coop acting a little off, so I took them the same mix. When I got back, I noticed the poult had eaten all his food and looked brighter. I gave him more and he ate most of it. He was crying for his buddies, so I put him back with them. I can't tell there was ever anything wrong now. This is a vitamin A deficiency. I normally start feeding a little alfalfa around 3-4 weeks, but I totally forgot this time. Lesson learned!

This time of year, I feed my poults chopped Romaine lettuce - per World's Healthiest Foods:

NutrientDRI/DV​

vitamin K107%​

vitamin A45.4%​

folate31.9%​

molybdenum12.5%​

fiber7.8%​

manganese7.5%​

potassium6.6%​

biotin5.9%​

vitamin B15.8%​

copper5.5%​

iron5%​

vitamin C5%​

vitamin B24.6%​

omega-3 fats4.5%​

vitamin B64.1%​

phosphorus4%​

chromium3.5%​

magnesium3.2%​

calcium3.1%​

pantothenic acid2.6%​

 

[Pretty Chickens]

I throw a handful of cubes in the FF bucket. I feed nearly a bucket a day of FF, so it doesn't sit long. I'm feeding 21 turkeys and 16 chickens. I guess if I were feeding dry feed, I'd soak the cubes in water until they break apart and free choice it. It will spoil, so don't put out too much at a time. Today, I'm going to grab some alfalfa hay at my horse feeding job. He has some really pretty, fine stemmed hay for the old horses. I'll free choice that for awhile. I don't think, after my birds recover, that it needs to be given daily. Maybe once a week for awhile. Just my opinion though. Maybe someone with more experience will chime in. Make sure they have access to grit when you feed alfalfa.

I will try to get some for my hens. I also need to buy grit. Mine are 7 weeks do you think I can start.