Turkey Talk for 2014

Help! My BBB poults are about 7 weeks old. 2 have started not wanting to stand. They can, and they walk ok when they do, but they lay down most of the time. They eat laying down and are getting trampled. The only thing I changed was I ran out of romaine lettuce for about a week, but I got them some today. I turned the heat off completely yesterday. It's 82 degrees in my house and they are feathered out. As a matter of fact, they are already losing their first set of feathers. All the chicks are fully feathered too and they are 5 and 6 weeks old. Everyone's eating 28% game bird starter. They get greens and veggies daily. Surely they can't be having leg problems already? I plan to put them in the grow out pen as soon as I can get the older chick pen built and move them into it. I got the supplies today, so should have it done this weekend. It's supposed to turn chilly (60's), so I might need to wait a few more days. Any thoughts?

On a happier note, I'm picking up my BR eggs next week from Country Hatchery.
I am only going by what I have read but I think they are to young for anything except for gamebird feed and maybe some scrambled eggs. To much treats at a young age are not good for them they have trouble with it. That is from a avian nutritionist that was on the chicken whisperer show two days ago. Try giving them some grit and vitamins. I hope they will be ok!
That is great that you are getting eggs from them! They have awesome birds! I know we have some! :)
 
Help!  My BBB poults are about 7 weeks old.  2 have started not wanting to stand.  They can, and they walk ok when they do, but they lay down most of the time.  They eat laying down and are getting trampled.  The only thing I changed was I ran out of romaine lettuce for about a week, but I got them some today.  I turned the heat off completely yesterday.  It's 82 degrees in my house and they are feathered out.  As a matter of fact, they are already losing their first set of feathers.  All the chicks are fully feathered too and they are 5 and 6 weeks old.  Everyone's eating 28% game bird starter.  They get greens and veggies daily.  Surely they can't be having leg problems already?  I plan to put them in the grow out pen as soon as I can get the older chick pen built and move them into it.  I got the supplies today, so should have it done this weekend.  It's supposed to turn chilly (60's), so I might need to wait a few more days.  Any thoughts?

On a happier note, I'm picking up my BR eggs next week from Country Hatchery. 

You need to slow their growth rate a bit to allow their legs to catch up with their weight. Give lower protien (22-24%) & remove the feed over night. The quickest & easiest way to cut protein is by adding scratch grains. About 1/5 of the feed as scratch will lower it enough to slow weight gain. Give them as much space as possible & place feed & water as far apart as you can to force them to move around. And the veggies are fine. It simulates what they would get outside with a broody hen. You do need to add some grit though if you have not already.
 
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Thanks everyone. They'll be going out this weekend or early next week. It's turned chilly. My brooder is a baby crib, so it's not really small, but yes, it's getting crowded. I'm giving them 22% grower now and not as often. They do get grit and some kelp for vitamins and minerals. I can't wait to get them out of my house!
 
Thanks everyone. They'll be going out this weekend or early next week. It's turned chilly. My brooder is a baby crib, so it's not really small, but yes, it's getting crowded. I'm giving them 22% grower now and not as often. They do get grit and some kelp for vitamins and minerals. I can't wait to get them out of my house!
I still have a broad breasted hen and she eats twice a day and a little grass or corn or turkey delight here and there. She gets around really well she is all over her pen and in and out of her coop. She is a year old.

I understand completely! I put 4 brooder's full of baby's outside this week. And boy what a relief! They love it as much as I do. And they are all off the ground in brooders. In a couple more weeks they can go into grow out pens.
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My 2 turkeys are 1 month old now & still in the house as they are atill getting feathers. May have to stick to the 2 mo till outside but they are getting BIG. I feed them a mix of turkey crumbles & chick startee & they are doing great. Was tols if I mixed the food they wouldnt grow as fast? They are for pets as of now but we will see ;)
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