Turkey Talk for 2014

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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!
 
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.
 
gevshiba said:
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!
Click to expand...

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.
 
MotorcycleChick said:
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.
Click to expand...

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?
 
Pretty Chickens said:
MotorcycleChick said:
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.
Click to expand...



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?
Click to expand...

Not if the older ones are Bb. If they are all the same breed, go for it.
 
Pretty Chickens said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
gevshiba said:
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!
Click to expand...
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 B24.6%​


vitamin B64.1%​

phosphorus4%​

chromium3.5%​

magnesium3.2%​

calcium3.1%​

 
gevshiba said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 

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