Turkeys, Geese, Ducks & Chicks-can they all sit at the same table?

[moenmitz]

I am getting my first group of birds next week-a few turkeys, geese and ducks-the chicks come in 2 weeks. I planned on feeding organic feed, but that has been a real pain to find here. I did find a feed store finally that will order it, but I don't have many options-it is a Purina brand chick starter was all she said, couldn't tell me the name of it. Is this ok to give to all of them? If some need additional supplements, can you tell me what specifically? I know they sell organic starter for each breed at Murray McMurray, but with shipping it is a fortune...

 

[greyfields]

Two things going on here:

a) Ducks, Geese and Turkeys need a higher protein starter than the chicks will. Whatever you get should be 22%+.

b) Any medicated feeds will kill your ducks and geese. Do not feed them medicated feeds ever.

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

Ducks and geese should not have medicated feed. When we got our we had to drive 65 miles to get food that was unmedicated. it was from Tractor Supply Dumor chick starter. our turkeys were on medicated chick starter and of course so were the chickens.

 

[moenmitz]

Not medicated, it is organic. I don't know about the protein content though!

 

[greyfields]

Point taken on the organic. I meant it more as a caution since I have on multiple occassions had the wrong feed loaded into my truck. Farm store employees tend to not know the sublte details.

 

[MissPrissy]

I do not advocate mixing fowl. They all have different needs and issues beyond the feed.

Geese and ducks are waterfowl. They like water, need water. Chickens and turkeys do not.

Turkeys and geese grow big fast. They aren't going to look out for a smaller chicken or duck.

Tom turkeys and geese can be aggressive - especially geese - and they don't readily make friends with chickens or ducks. They don't make friends with one another either.

Ducks are messy and poop alot. Did I say alot? I meant ALOT. Geese poop like dogs. They also poop ALOT. You don't want turkeys walking around in that messy poop. Nor do you want chickens pecking and walking in it.

Please, give them all their own special place and keep them separated. As the males mature you will have issues with ducks aggressively mating whatever is in their path. Turkey males that will crush a smaller fowl if he takes a liking to her. Ganders that grab ducks or chickens by the neck and hold them down.

Some people say they never have troubles but when you do have troubles it is a mess. To me it is just not worth it.

 

[moenmitz]

I didn't mean table literally, sorry if that wasn't clear...

They will all have seperate plastic wading pools with heat lamps in my basement to start with...I just wanted to know if the purina organic starter was adequate for all of them since it is the ONLY organic starter I have been able to get ahold of here...

 

[al6517]

it is not a good idea to house your turkeys with your chickens, Turkeys are suseptible to blackhead disease which is common in chickens but does not effect them, and can be deadly for your turkeys.
once grown and in seperate runs be sure to disinfect your shoes or boots before entering the turkey pen, I hope this helps.

 

[ronshoney]

I brought home layer chicks, ducks, and turkeys together and to start them i got 1 50# bag of unmedicated chick starter for the ducks, for the chicks and turkeys I got 1 50# bag of medicated to get them started, when those were gone I switched the ducks and turkeys to a 24% protien starter and the chicks to unmedicated chick starter. I want to raise them medication free but the lady at the grain elevator said it is usually better to use one bag of medicated first. I don't know this was my first time but after 3 weeks for 30 chicks 7 turkeys and 12 ducks I have only lost one turkey the other day but I think he got chilled when the garage door blew open during the night and he didn't go under the light.

 

[DuckyBoys]

Quote:
Just check the nutrient content on the Purina website and then compare it to say, a waterfowl starter or Purina Flock Raiser or something like that to see how it matches up. I only have access to Flock Raiser and all 3 (yes THREE) feed stores in this town refuse to order anything special no matter what, so good for you for sticking to your plan! If it doesn't seem to meet the necessary nutrient requirements I'd ask the feed store person to help you supplement the ration, take the two feed tags with you so you can compare - print them from the website. Techincally speaking - if they work in the feed store they should be able to help formulate a ration for you. Another option is calling Purina - I know lots of people who work for Purina and they really do have degrees in animal nutrition - and tell them what you want to do. They should be able to help you.

Good luck.