Turkeys For 2013

[TamTurkey]

Wow kuntrygirl. 24 poults running around would have been very noticeable. Sneaky girls.

 

[Treebird]

I never have issues with crooked toes caused by wire bottoms. I was always under the impression that had a lot to do with diet. You other guys must be far south because my turkeys will usually lay in March the earliest here in Iowa.

 

[TamTurkey]

I have a friend who's turkeys toes look like they have arthritis. She tried pipe cleaners and taping then up and neither helped they are completely bent it hurts me to look st them. They are on a wood floor with shavings that get fluffed daily. Because we are raising them for show I am pretty sure she pushed their diets too hard too fast and their structures didn't have the time to keep up with their bodies. So I am with tree bird on this one. I have heard of wire floors causing broken toes if their claws get caught. I think it depends on the wire you use also.

 

[Treebird]

You are probably right there Tam. Actually though I found that when it comes to turkeys, the higher the protein content the better my birds turn out when it comes to pushing them. Honestly though, my turkeys run on a lot of ground so once they are full grown, they only get strait shell corn. I supplement them with a protein supplement in the winter only. We have several orchards that are fenced in that we run our turkeys on, so they clean up all the bugs and get to enjoy any fruit that hits the ground. My turkeys are only started on a rat wire bottom pen for the fist month, then they go straight to the dirt bottom floor. One fun thing that I do that seems to greatly help with nutrients the turkeys get during their developmental stage is placing a bright floodlight outside in the pens to attract bugs all night. It's an all night buffet and when the June bugs emerge, WATCH OUT!

 

[TamTurkey]

What's up with my turkeys they have flies everywhere and they won't eat them. A butterflt got in and they chased it around. And played with it but didn't eat it. Guess I have squeamish birds watching grown ones play chase with a piece of kale is funny enough for me.

 

[Treebird]

I think flies aren't as appetizing as moths or beetles.

 

[Arielle]

I had a friend have problems with crooked toes due to the wire floor of a common incubator. I have the same one but didn't have any problems. When I did dev problems, it was from only ONE pen. IT made me think the crooked feet were genetic . ( THese were chickens not turkeys.)

 

[Bitterroot]

YMy turkeys are only started on a rat wire bottom pen for the fist month, then they go straight to the dirt bottom floor.

I'm so appreciative of the information everyone is sharing. I hate to be a pest, but could you please elaborate a bit on what you mean by rat wire bottom? I'm working on plans for a brooder, specifically the flooring, and want to make sure I do this right, for the birds' sake.

Thanks!

(p.s. Hope you got my payment the other day!

)

 

[Treebird]

Rat wire is a type of wire that is small enough to keep rats out. Most feed or farm stores should know what it is. I don't recommend it for heavier birds because it can leave their feet raw. In fact your birds should have a sheltered area where the floor is not wire bottom so that birds can get some relief. I did receive your payment the other day. Thank you. If anyone is interested I have some Regal Red and Lilac turkey hatching eggs up for presale auction on ebay. Good day and I hope you all have a Merry Christmas

 

[Arielle]

Do you mind if I add to your description of rat wire Treebird? IT is a mesh type, making small squares. In comes in a couple different size squares with the smaller one using a finer wire. 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch squares as I remember. Treebird, maybe you can tell us which of these you use?

I have only brooded my turkeys on a wooden floor or plastic floor covered with sawdust. I have NOT had any foot problems in my turkeys, just that ONE pen of chickens. ( I Culled one of the roosters, as I saw the problems in his offspring; maybe need to cull a hen, too.)