what to feed turkey poults

[good ole boy]

i have 18 eggs due to hatch off this saturday, i need to know what to feed them, i have never raised turkeys only chickens

 

[MissTurkey4]

I feed mine 28-30% protein turkey/gamebird starter until I eat them or they are breeding and laying eggs. Then I switch to a turkey breeder. They need that high protein to grow strong legs and fill out. I have tried lowering the protein after 8 weeks like some people here do but the turkeys do not grow as fast or as big as they would if they stay on the turkey starter. Some people have a hard time getting turkeys to eat. I don't have any stupid turkeys here. I just sprinkle alot of food on the floor of the brooder the first few days. Make sure you dip there beaks in the water until your sure they are drinking. A careful eye for the first week helps with losses.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I feed 30% protein Game Bird Starter. See my set up below:

 

[Hawkeye95]

Please forgive my total ignorance! But, what are the marbles for? Those babies are adorable!

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
The marbles are for 2 reasons. 1 reason is so that they don't drown in the water (if you have a deep water dish/bowl) but I also use the marbles in the water and on the bottom of the box so that they see a "reflection" or "colors" and begin to peck at the marbles and then come up with some water and food in their mouth and begin to drink and eat.

This worked wonders!

 

[Hawkeye95]

omg! that is brilliant!!! I'll be using that! Thanks!

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
If you notice the aluminum foil in the second picture, well, it serves the same purpose. They are drawn to that "shiny" thing on the floor and will peck and peck and peck at it and then they will eat and eat and eat and eat.

 

[Hawkeye95]

I am learning so much! SO exciting! I can't wait for my post office to allow me to ship! I am very impatiently waiting to order chicks! Thanks for the great tips!! (I'm keeping a journal and writing all this stuff down!) ha!