Turkeys are still alive

[mandelyn]

Every evening, I say to my husband "The turkeys are still alive!". A friend of mine said that they're out of the "just dropped dead" phase at about 5 months of age.

Is this true?

Gobbles and Giblet are going strong, they're always perky, they great me, they play. Penguin has always been a little slow and more cautious, but seemingly healthy. No issues so far.

Everyone kept saying how they're sensitive, or can go off their food. I was told not to brood them with chickens, but when I took the chicks from them they stopped eating. Put the chicks back, and they started to eat the feed again. They were waiting on me to bring meal worms when the chickens were gone, and not eating the feed. I guess the chickens remind them of what the food is? Even when I showed them the feed and made a fuss over it, they only picked at it.

They seem really independent, but also seem to seek a lot of guidance. Very curious. They've been a lot of fun.

So fun, that I sold my ducks to be able to keep the turkeys. I let the duck house dry out and thoroughly cleaned it. The turkeys moved in yesterday. They're pleased with the amount of space, and are trying to roost.

They're 4 weeks old now, and still alive! Can they really just drop dead from no apparent cause, or is it bacterial 9 times out of 10? Or going off their feed? I'm really watching them close to be sure they're eating, and giving them plenty of meal worms and boiled egg yolks. I have them temporarily on Dumor's 24% starter until my organic 26% turkey starter comes in. My friend called the Dumor feed the "bag of death", but I don't have any other options locally. Next closest thing is a 22% game bird feed.

It was sad to sell my ducks, but it would be even sadder if these turkeys die on me after I sold the ducks to keep these turkeys.

 

[frank53061]

There are people here that are jewels and will give you advise that you might not find any were else and this was probably a life experience and would work under the same circumstances that you have then there's others that tell you that's not needed and give you a list why.
I take it all with a grain of salt and make my own decisions.

I did raise Chics with my Poults and there both over 13 weeks of age now it it worked out great for me.
I made sure they were always worm and dry fresh food and water and a secure pen and coop and something will always take them away from you no matter what you do I had two large stray dogs tear into the pen yesterday and now I'm missing one Pullet.
The other Pullets and Turkeys thank God just lost a few feathers.
If it wasn't for my daughter and wife being home to catch this happening and my daughter with a homicidal look in her eyes going after those dogs it might have been worse.
I could have spent a fortune on welded wire but I don't have the funds to do that.
I will double the wire because I already have the Chicken wire to do it with and hope it doesn't happen again.
I have been real lucky so far not to loose any to disease only stray dogs and a coon.
I believe in that old saying a ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when I,m able.

Best of luck and God Speed to you.