What's killing my turkeys

[Dunnfamilyfarm]

I had 18 chicks started great and a week later I have 6 left. At first the were fine at all times I kept them supplied clean(well) water and also medicated feed. After a couple of days they started dying, i would put fresh water they would drink and then an hr later 2 or 3 dead

 

[ivan3]

Sorry you're having these problems.

Were these guys shipped-in? Hatched yourself? From a breeder/feed store? What variety (commercial Broad Breasted or Heritage)? What kind of feed & percentage of protein? Do you and other poultry use the same well water? What kind of bedding? What is temp. in brooder? Ever see them huddle together to sleep? Normal droppings?

Might want to skim this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/787208/turkeys-101-new-to-turkeys-what-do-i-need-to-know

 

[Dunnfamilyfarm]

Shipped from Mt healthy hatcheries broad breasted on southern states sporting bird starter medicated 28% protein yes common well. Bedding is premium pine shavings not sure the exact temp but they do not huddle together stay disperesed evenly pretty much and normal droppings as I can tell

 

[ivan3]

How cold is the well water when they get it? Apparently, cold water can be such a shock to the system that it can kill poults. Have never seen this, myself.

Could have been stress during shipping/some problem with the feed? The fact that so many went down, so quickly makes me wonder.

Good luck with the survivors

 

[Dunnfamilyfarm]

It was never colder than room temp I didn't give them cold I was afraid of that putting them in shock. Thx hopefully they will be ok

 

[kuntrygirl]

How cold is the well water when they get it? Apparently, cold water can be such a shock to the system that it can kill poults. Have never seen this, myself.

Could have been stress during shipping/some problem with the feed? The fact that so many went down, so quickly makes me wonder.

Good luck with the survivors

I agree with Ivan3.

Question here......I have heard of well water but can you all explain the difference to me. Would well water have any other nutrients, vitamins, supplements, etc in it that tap water does not have?

 

[Dunnfamilyfarm]

I think it's more along the line of chemicals such chlorine and fluoride etc in tap water ,chemicals that are used to treat the water.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I think it's more along the line of chemicals such chlorine and fluoride etc in tap water ,chemicals that are used to treat the water.

That's what I mean. I couldn't think of those words when I was typing my reply. So well water has all of that stuff in there?

 

[frank53061]

Well water would not have harmed the Poults if it was at room temperature it would probably be better than city water there are three kinds of well water I know of there is sulfur water that stinks of rotten eggs but will not hurt you if you can get passed the smell there is hard water with all sorts of minerals in it and there is soft water that does not have minerals or low amounts in it.
Those are the three kinds of well water I have experience with personally.
now if you have some in line purification system that's different cant tell you any thing about that.

If there is no parasites or disease thats is killing the Poults or wounds of any kind on the Poults and there getting all the proper feed and water its ether a bad batch of breed from where you got them or there is one final check that could be done and that is the water.

If the well water has not been checked for a few years you might think of having it checked by the local Agri, state office for impurities the water table could have small amounts of pestacides or other chemicals that have gotten in your water table and may not be enough to make people or larger animals sick but Poults are very fragile and this possably could be the problem and if its not you have the piece of mind that the water your using is safe.

I hope you do discover the Problem and let us know good luck.

 

[ozarkmomma]

I also found with my poults that I had to make SURE they were eating and drinking, for the first week I would stick their little beaks in the food and water several times a day. After a week, I got 3 day old chicks to "show them the ropes" They are doing great now.