Turkeys For 2013

[Arielle]

Quote: What are the pellets the poults are standing on??

 

[PeepsCA]

Quote: That's MegaZorb Pine Pellet Bedding (it's made to be used in horse stalls actually and can be used with shavings, or by itself). http://mallardcreekinc.com/distribution/portfolio-view/megazorb-bedding-pellets/

It starts out in size similar to a large alfalfa pellet, but eventually breaks down into a sawdust consistency in about a week and a half with 10-12 poults in the Sterilite bins I use for brooders. (It lasts longer with less or smaller babies in it, like my Silkie chicks). No need for bedding changes during the time they are on it tho, which is nice (as long as they do not spill their waterer).

After they've been on shelf liner over a layer of paper towels for a few days and are eating and drinking really good I move them to a smaller "holding bin" while I clean the mess out and then I add enough of the pellets to cover the bottom of their brooder bin about 2 inches deep. I just have to stir it around and break up the clumps after about 4-5 days, incorporating the left over whole pellets at the bottom in with the sawdust layer on top so it still absorbs and smells fresh, not poopy/stinky. It gets a little deeper and fluffs up into sawdust as it breaks down (they rough it up dust bathing and scratching around in it too).

By the time it's fully broken down and needs to be changed they are ready to be moved to a bigger brooder anyway, but I am not constantly changing bedding every 2-3 days like I am with shavings or straw/hay. Works excellent for odor control and poop absorption. And nobody's gotten impacted, sick or anything from it and I'm sure they eventually are eating a little of it, especially after it's broken down, but so far so good for the past month or so that I have been using it... AND I have clean babies, no poopy feathers or poopy feet

. When I clean out the brooder it goes straight to the compost pile... I imagine it'll help make some really great compost for next season, since it has zeolite in it.

It is a little on the spendy side tho (I can spread out 1 bag into about 3 or 4 brooder bins, and it is $4.95 a bag I think), but it really saves me a lot of time, and believe it or not there is a LOT less brooder dust. So it's worth it to me.

(And no I do not work for Mallard Creek, lol I'm just sold on this stuff after so many yrs of endless nasty brooder cleaning!!!)

 

[Arielle]

My wooden brooder stays much drier than the p;astic/rubber bins. So I can see the value of these horse pellets as bedding. Shavings here are easily 5-6$ a bag here, and if the pellets are less dusty and the chicks can't eat the large pellets, sounds like a good deal.

 

[Arielle]

Sweetgrass poult is out-- second one is zipping.

My hatching % has been terrible this year, yet all my customers with shipped eggs are doing great!! Hopefully my luck has changed!

 

[Sally8]

Sweetgrass poult is out-- second one is zipping.

My hatching % has been terrible this year, yet all my customers with shipped eggs are doing great!! Hopefully my luck has changed!

Pictures! Pictures!..I hate to say this out loud, but I love my turkeys. Useless or not. lol

 

[aztuffenuff]

yep that is Arizona in the summer!! It looks like we are going to get rain right now. The monsoon may be coming early...would not surprise me because it has been a strange year so far!! I am going to turn the turkeys out tomarrow. I am hoping for the best!! I wanted to ask you where did you get your leg bands at?? Hang in there and stay cool!!

 

[desertmarcy]

yep that is Arizona in the summer!! It looks like we are going to get rain right now. The monsoon may be coming early...would not surprise me because it has been a strange year so far!! I am going to turn the turkeys out tomarrow. I am hoping for the best!! I wanted to ask you where did you get your leg bands at?? Hang in there and stay cool!!

I got them at Cutler Supply on line, but there are other places that sell leg bands. There was a discussion about different places on the Heritage Large Fowl Thread a little while ago, but I can't find the page right now. Did you get rain last night? We saw lightning way off to the south.

 

[aztuffenuff]

It rained all around us. I got a few drops that was all.

 

[pollo disco]

My 2 Rio Grandes are doing well and getting their new feathers. The male is noticeably lighter in color and larger. He finally is struting and clucking loud. My lil lady (din-din) is just sooo personable and loves to be held. They both get along fine with the chickens and are just making due with the heat and all. We didn't get any rain but lots of wind. I saw the heavy clouds your direction in the Chiracauhuas. Hopefully Monsoon is starting earlier. Good to see more Arizonans with Turkeys. I Just love these **** birds. Waaay cool!

 

[aztuffenuff]

It looks like we are getting ready to have rain! YEAH bring it on!! I am glad to meet you pollo disco.

I am not familiar with Rio Grandes. Are they a heritage breed? I am glad to see I am not the only person in Arizona that has turkeys!! I love my birds too!!