Turkeys sleep laid out like noodles

[zowieyellowflame]

Hello,
I have had my 2 week old turkeys for 4 days now. They are from the feed store. When they sleep, they plaster themselves to the floor (shavings). Temp is about mid 70's. I thought something was wrong..... is this normal? I have not given roosts. Should I? I thought 2 week old turkeys should be in the 80s but when it is, they seem to pant so I keep it in the 70's.

 

[mochicken]

They are just not ready to roost yet, they will catch on soon enough. As we speak my 4-5 week old turkeys are sleeping in a pile on the floor lol, sometimes they sleep on the roost, sometimes on the waterer, sometimes in a pile lol. They keep themselves so caught up investigating everything all day and being nosy that they pretty much fall asleep wherever they happen to be at the moment lol

 

[mochicken]

Also the bedding under the light should be in the 90's not 70's, after 4-6 wees when they start getting more feathers they can have less heat, they get cold easy and if you have that area warmer they will go there when they are cold and when they get hot they will go away from it.

 

[zowieyellowflame]

Quote:
The heat lamp I have is giant and tends to heat their entire enclosure so I have discovered a gallon jug of water filled with hot water makes them happy. They curl up next to it and have a sleep sometimes. Just like a big hen!

 

[ivan3]

If `noodled' out, the temp is about right:

 

[jason_mazzy]

yes it is the funniest things. I thought mine were dead on numerous occaisions. it is there instinct to sleep so still like that.

 

[zowieyellowflame]

I have the day off today so I keep checking on them. They eat, drink and play for a bit.... I hung a clear plastic bottle in their pen suspended from the ceiling. They like to push it and see what happens.

Then they get tired and noodle out close to each other. During their last play session, one was doing the "chest pumping, turkey strut" move. For the first time ever! so cute!

 

[Lagerdogger]

If you give them an 8 inch high roost, they will sleep on it with their tails hanging down off one side and their heads hanging down of the other. Very cute!

 

[ilexxx]

Hello,
I have had my 2 week old turkeys for 4 days now. They are from the feed store. When they sleep, they plaster themselves to the floor (shavings). Temp is about mid 70's. I thought something was wrong..... is this normal? I have not given roosts. Should I? I thought 2 week old turkeys should be in the 80s but when it is, they seem to pant so I keep it in the 70's.

I just found a baby turkey who is about a month old totally layed out in the coop. I was sure he was dead so grabbed his feet to get him out of there and he was very much alive. Is this how turkey’s sleep?

 

[R2elk]

I just found a baby turkey who is about a month old totally layed out in the coop. I was sure he was dead so grabbed his feet to get him out of there and he was very much alive. Is this how turkey’s sleep?

This thread is from 2011. The person you replied to has not been on BYC since 2013.

Sometimes poults will sleep like that. It is more common among guinea keets than turkey poults.