Turkey Talk for 2014

[duluthralphie]

 

[WalnutHill]

Compassion is a human trait. Without it, our species would not survive, as newborn babies are incapable of teaching themselves to obtain food and water, warmth, and other life necessities.

While newly hatched fowl are relatively self sufficient, in nature they are provided with a mother hen who will teach the young how to find food, water, shelter and will look out for them. With artificial incubation and brooding, we assume that responsibility.

Yes, that is how hatcheries operate. Life is disposable when produced on a commercial scale by commercial operators. I'd like to think that most of the members of this forum are not interested in only the financial outcome of hatching eggs, but do it because it is an incomparable life experience.

 

[chickadoodles]

After my wondering about the eggs the other day It happened!

I got this:



I have no idea who dropped it. It was by the waterer it is not quite as dark as I remember my hen from last year laying besides she hides hers real well. So I am guessing it is one of the young ones. Time to get them locked up... and incubate in a week or two.

Congratulations! I am so eggcited for you!

Quote:
Thank you. The little poult is doing well on it's own today. I have only observed it and it is drinking and eating on it's own so far.

 

[duluthralphie]

True but compassion is also knowing when an animal is beyond help and practicing euthanasia to prevent its pain and starving.



Glad to hear the poult is doing well. I hope it continues!

 

[WalnutHill]

That is correct. It is sometimes the best option. Sometimes nature beats us to it, sometimes not.

 

[chickadoodles]

Compassion is a human trait. Without it, our species would not survive, as newborn babies are incapable of teaching themselves to obtain food and water, warmth, and other life necessities.

While newly hatched fowl are relatively self sufficient, in nature they are provided with a mother hen who will teach the young how to find food, water, shelter and will look out for them. With artificial incubation and brooding, we assume that responsibility.

Yes, that is how hatcheries operate. Life is disposable when produced on a commercial scale by commercial operators. I'd like to think that most of the members of this forum are not interested in only the financial outcome of hatching eggs, but do it because it is an incomparable life experience.

Well said. Thank you. I do assume the responsibility of the momma when I hatch these poults and it does affect me when some do not make it. And this year I have already had to cull 3 by myself. And I never would have thought that was possible but it needed to be done and God helped me do it. If I ever stop caring I will quilt raising birds.

 

[WalnutHill]

Well said. Thank you. I do assume the responsibility of the momma when I hatch these poults and it does affect me when some do not make it. And this year I have already had to cull 3 by myself. And I never would have thought that was possible but it needed to be done and God helped me do it. If I ever stop caring I will quilt raising birds.

 

[chickadoodles]

Thank you. So am I.

 

[gevshiba]

Just wanted to share: I have been hatching turkey eggs for a few months now and a few poults have given me a lot of trouble trying to make sure they will drink and eat. I have one now that I have been force feeding with a syringe for two days with vitamins in water trying to keep it alive and still dunking it in the water and feed to try to teach it what to do. It looks at the others eating and drinking and walks away turns it's back on them and lays down! It's making me crazy! It nearly died on my twice yesterday, I walked in and it was on it's back not moving.
If not for these vitamins I know it would not be here. I have chicks and other poults in with this one to help teach it to eat and drink as well.

I am frustrated now!

I cried when I had to cull my first one. I can usually control that, but it's a *baby*! I put off culling as long as possible with the next ones, but then I had a poult that I was sure I could save, and did. Over and over. I'd put him on a heating pad, hand feed and water. He'd get better, then relapse and we'd do it again. I was so happy when he made it to the coop with the adult birds. But within a day of being released into the group, he got scalped. Back to the house he went. I think they knew there was something wrong with him. I gave him away, along with his antibiotics when he was nearly healed. She couldn't get him off the antibiotics. Every time she tried, his head would swell. He ended up dying. We both came to the conclusion that some just cannot be saved. I had a chick that needed culled this year and now I don't wait. It's too hard when you try and then get attached. I think most people need to try. You'll come to what works for you, whether it's always try or cull right away. BTW, I also had a chick with wry neck that I saved this year. So it depends on what it is, too.

I sold 3 hens yesterday. That leaves me 3. I think I'm good with that. I have the 9 crazy BBB poults still in the brooder. After this bunch, I never want BB's again. This group is aggressive. They look like piranhas when they eat. They are never afraid of any new food. They are really bad with any greens I give them. I feel so sorry for the chicks in with them. I can't wait until they can go out to the grow out pen.

Edit to add, he wasn't just thrown into the coop with the adult bids.

 

[chickadoodles]

Quote:
Thanks for the kind words. I have tried to help others this one was just so against even trying to eat or drink that I thought surely there must be something wrong with it. So yesterday I mixed some Red Cell in with the little bit of water I was feeding it and so far today it is eating and drinking and this is it's 4th day. So ya never know I was ready to let it go today and it surprised me.

I only have one BBB hen that I kept from last year and she eats very little due to the fact I always limited her food. But I did not care for the personalities of the Broad Breasted turkey at all.
I may try to get some White Hollands later on though. Kuntry Girl raised them and loved them.
I have decided if they don't hatch on their own this year I am not going to help them. I have learned there is a reason they don't all hatch and I tried and tried and cried to no avail.

I would not want a bird that I had to tend from now on either. I love the poults and chicks but I do get tired and need a bread from that too. lol