Turkeys For 2013

[joshm97]

Josh, does he have a roost?? He might need one, and/or show him how to use it.

They don't have a roost but I'm starting to think this is what the poults need. They constently roost on the adults daytime roost in the run we have for them. I have been exposing them to the adults early so there is know worry about Disease. Do you have any ideas of how to make a brooder that I can put one in. I have a "1/2 way house" kind of thing going we're they move outside but arn't with the adults. Should I just wait the rest of the week and put them out there like I normally would or do they need a roost now?

 

[meganpugh]

I have a query. We put the poults in with the chicks today (all of them are 4 weeks old). Now one of my poults seems to be a bit mussed up and bleeding a wee bit. Should I be overly concerned? I have removed the chicks now. And she isn't acting any differently. There is no real cut and I looked her over thoroughly, she doesn't seem overly bothered by it all. I however am freaking the holy hell out. They are locked in for the night, so I will post photos in the am. What should I do? Anything? Let it pass? Add some cayenne pepper to the water and pray that she is okay?

 

[Turkeytruff]

My BCM roo is also one who likes to stick his big butt in the hay and work out a new nest and entice the girls to lay. The other day he had 3 of the hens lined up outside a hay strewn dog crate all waiting to lay whilst he was sitting there singing away to them and not getting off the nest.
I often find him standing in the dark of the barn next to one of my little bantams who like to lay their eggs anywhere secret - rarely in the nest boxes.... Everyday is an easter egg hunt!
Here is a picture of one of my new blue slate poults that I got on Monday. That same night the power went out and we spent half the night huddled under blankets with them to keep them alive. Everyone survived and they are all thriving. It's going to be a challenge to keep them away from the chickens for 6 weeks!

 

[joshm97]

I have a query. We put the poults in with the chicks today (all of them are 4 weeks old). Now one of my poults seems to be a bit mussed up and bleeding a wee bit. Should I be overly concerned? I have removed the chicks now. And she isn't acting any differently. There is no real cut and I looked her over thoroughly, she doesn't seem overly bothered by it all. I however am freaking the holy hell out. They are locked in for the night, so I will post photos in the am. What should I do? Anything? Let it pass? Add some cayenne pepper to the water and pray that she is okay?

My poults get cut up all the time. Playing fighting or just being curious in places you shouldn't be. They all have healed in my case. Check on the poult constently to make sure the other chicks arn't pecking him/her at the source of the cut. The other birds don't know they are injuring him further and are simply trying to remove the cut like a piece of grass stuck in their beaks. Seperate the poult if needed. Good luck my friend

 

[meganpugh]

My poults get cut up all the time. Playing fighting or just being curious in places you shouldn't be. They all have healed in my case. Check on the poult constently to make sure the other chicks arn't pecking him/her at the source of the cut. The other birds don't know they are injuring him further and are simply trying to remove the cut like a piece of grass stuck in their beaks. Seperate the poult if needed. Good luck my friend

Thank you, that eases my mind quite a bit. My other poult hasn't bothered the injured one at all. They snuggle and were acting totally normal and cuddly today so that was a huge relief. The cut has scabbed over and there is no more bleeding. I will be doing a full check on the inside of their coop for nails or screws poking out tonight.

 

[Sally8]

My poults get cut up all the time. Playing fighting or just being curious in places you shouldn't be. They all have healed in my case. Check on the poult constently to make sure the other chicks arn't pecking him/her at the source of the cut. The other birds don't know they are injuring him further and are simply trying to remove the cut like a piece of grass stuck in their beaks. Seperate the poult if needed. Good luck my friend

x2. I've never seen any of mine bleeding but they do like playing rough. I agree to just keep any eye on him. They all have to get along eventually.

 

[TheBassettDairy]

Arielle,

I know your post about designing a silo is from back in December but I wanted to suggest, if you where still looking, search out used cattle/chicken feed bins, they sit up on 4 legs, have a holding capacity of about 500 lbs up 10-20 tons, obviously you wouldn't need to fill one all the way, we run 13 cattle in a 10 ton bin but only get about 2 tons per delivery. They vary greatly in price but I see them frequently below $500. Put some galvanized paint on the tops to make sure its sealed up and pour 4 piers for the legs (or just a platform) and call it good. I am only about 30 minutes from our mill and work commute takes my wife right past it so we can just pick up as needed but in your situation, it may be worth while investigating! One thought on bulking buying any feed though, like bread, it does go stale regardless of how you keep it, so you don't want to buy more than about a months worth.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: THey can wait a few more days.

Arielle,

I know your post about designing a silo is from back in December but I wanted to suggest, if you where still looking, search out used cattle/chicken feed bins, they sit up on 4 legs, have a holding capacity of about 500 lbs up 10-20 tons, obviously you wouldn't need to fill one all the way, we run 13 cattle in a 10 ton bin but only get about 2 tons per delivery. They vary greatly in price but I see them frequently below $500. Put some galvanized paint on the tops to make sure its sealed up and pour 4 piers for the legs (or just a platform) and call it good. I am only about 30 minutes from our mill and work commute takes my wife right past it so we can just pick up as needed but in your situation, it may be worth while investigating! One thought on bulking buying any feed though, like bread, it does go stale regardless of how you keep it, so you don't want to buy more than about a months worth.

THank you for this great idea!!

Talked to the feed company a couple weeks ago, and as he says the same thing about using in a month, I wanted to bu y just one feed for everyone. He says it a mix for each livestock, so can't make just one. I must buy 3T. IDK.

 

[TheBassettDairy]

What all are you trying to feed? A LOT of the feed stuffs are based off of a very similar recipe for the base, might be able to just a common base pellet and add your custom minerals and supplements as you fill the feeder. All depends if you can burn through 3 tons of feed a month! We go through just shy of 5 tons with 13 cattle and a bull. I haven't gotten anything beyond our chickens and a couple bantams yet, how different is the feed for turkeys/ducks/geese/pea fowl? We are thinking about getting some of those as well and I was considering buying a 1/2 ton bin just to make storage and distribution easier but it only makes sense if their feed is similar/same.

Thanks!

 

[chickadoodles]

Well nearly 3 weeks ago I had pre-paid for some turkey poults. Then found out they were not the breeds I wanted! Yesterday I started looking and calling around trying to find some poults and finally found some. Even Porters was down to their choice. And I wanted my choice. lol but I also ordered some Welsummers 5 pullets and 1 rooster. I hope they are friendly and will get along with my other birds ok. I really like the idea that I will be able to tell which ones are pullets and roos from the start! But boy are they expensive! I hope they will be worth it!