Turkey Talk for 2014

[dheltzel]

I use sand that way you can clean it like a litter box. News paper will cause leg problems slipped tendons.

How thick is the sand ? Do you use if from the beginning or after they are eating well?
Even better, do you have a picture of your setup?

 

[chickadoodles]

Quote:
I use totes and buy the cheap sand from the lumber yard to use. I only use about 1" deep from day one. I put the food and water in dishes but it won't hurt the poults to eat the sand like it will if they eat shavings. I don't have any pics as I had to replace my computer last week my old one crashed and it is still at the geek squads store.
You can also use the rubberized shelf liner from the dollar general store for the first few days if you want. I use it in my bator for hatching.
It works better if you have chicks that are a few days old to teach the turkey poults to eat and drink.

 

[vpatt]

I have chickens and was considering turkeys but I really only want one or two. Would it be best to have two? I just don't know how it would work out mixing chickens and turkeys. I am still not sure I want to do this.

 

[duluthralphie]

I use totes and buy the cheap sand from the lumber yard to use. I only use about 1" deep from day one. I put the food and water in dishes but it won't hurt the poults to eat the sand like it will if they eat shavings. I don't have any pics as I had to replace my computer last week my old one crashed and it is still at the geek squads store.
You can also use the rubberized shelf liner from the dollar general store for the first few days if you want. I use it in my bator for hatching.
It works better if you have chicks that are a few days old to teach the turkey poults to eat and drink.

Great idea, I am going to straight sand from now on!

 

[duluthralphie]

I have chickens and was considering turkeys but I really only want one or two. Would it be best to have two? I just don't know how it would work out mixing chickens and turkeys. I am still not sure I want to do this.

I had a pair of turkeys to start. They are like feathery friendly dogs, they follow you anywhere and everywhere. Make sure you can have roosters where you live, a Tom will make a rooster seem quiet. If you do not want more turkeys I would just get a pair of hens. I think one alone would be lonely, but it might just hangout with your chickens and think it is a chicken.

For me having turkeys and chickens together is no big deal. They hang out together 90% of the time.

 

[dheltzel]

I use totes and buy the cheap sand from the lumber yard to use. I only use about 1" deep from day one. I put the food and water in dishes but it won't hurt the poults to eat the sand like it will if they eat shavings. I don't have any pics as I had to replace my computer last week my old one crashed and it is still at the geek squads store.
You can also use the rubberized shelf liner from the dollar general store for the first few days if you want. I use it in my bator for hatching.
It works better if you have chicks that are a few days old to teach the turkey poults to eat and drink.

I use totes, but with fine shavings for chicks. I will definitely try the sand instead. I use the shelf liner just like you do, it's more reusable than paper towels and still pretty cheap when it finally does need to be replaced.

 

[chickadoodles]

Quote:
I wash mine in the washer with some towels and then hang them over a chair to dry and re-use them after each hatch so they don't spread any germs.

 

[chickadoodles]

For all the new people who want turkey and are starting off with turkey this thread is a great help for all kinds of info on raising turkey and treating them if they get sick:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/787208/turkeys-101-new-to-turkeys-what-do-i-need-to-know

This is a lot of very helpful info from a lady who has raised turkey for a long time and helped many people with their turkey.

 

[SilkieSensation]

I have 20 bbw poults & 25 red sex-link males (broilers were on back order til April) coming today. I always brood chicks with poults. If they grow up together, then they have no issues living together once outside. Plus, the chicks make good teachers for the poults.

 

[vpatt]

 I had a pair of turkeys to start. They are like feathery friendly dogs, they follow you anywhere and everywhere. Make sure you can have roosters where you live, a Tom will make a rooster seem quiet.    If you do not want more turkeys I would just get a pair of hens.  I think one alone would be lonely, but it might just hangout with your chickens and think it is a chicken.

For me having turkeys and chickens together is no big deal. They hang out together 90% of the time.

Thanks...I may give it a try. I read that the male turkey may help with hawks. I don't expect them to fight...but maybe sound the alarm.