Why are my poults so tired??

[mick&cori]

Hi!

I'm new to raising baby turkeys. I have 3 poults in with my 16 chicks and 5 guineas. It seems that my turkeys are tired. They are always trying to lay their head on a chick to catch some shut-eye, or even lean up against the wall until they get bothered by one of the others. When I pick them up and hold them, they seriously just pass out. They will sleep for a few hours in my hand or on my lap.

I'm feeding them regular chick starter. My local TSCO (Tractor Supply Co.) associate told me that it wouldn't make a "THAT much" of a difference. Is he wrong? Should I switch them to the 24% protein? If I switch them to that, can my chicks and guineas eat it?

Or is it normal for poults to be less "energetic" and need more sleep than guineas and chicks?

Thanks!

 

[Denninmi]

They do seem kind of slow the first 2-3 days of life. After that, no.

They definitely should have much higher protein, the highest you can find. Some feed 30%

 

[jackietheturkeylover]

are they cold? they need to be under a heating lamp for a couple days
depends on how old they are. they could be malnutriented
got a pic?

hope I helped,
sincerely,
Jackie

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Mine seem really tired too. This is my first time owning turkeys so I didn't know if it was normal or not. They both walk around pretty slow, but 1 I never really see eating or drinking, she seems fine though, (well they both do) I just never actually SEE her eating...? Is something wrong with them?

 

[chickenzoo]

Did you show them how to eat? Turkeys need to learn,,, I will often put a few young chicks in with them to show them how. Sometimes dying their food with a little green food coloring helps.. just don't let it sit over night and spoil. Make sure they aren't cold also.
If you happen to see them sitting/ standing in a corner more and more with wings drooped down and looking very depressed, I'd put them on some Corid for coccidia.


WMRanch, by the looks of your Poults legs.... I'd guess She is a HE LOL

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I have 2, that one is the boy, lol.


I tried showing the girl how to eat, but she shows no interest and doesn't want to be near me. There are a few chicks in with them to show them. I got them from the feedstore and they said they were a week old, so I am assuming they already know how to eat...

 

[mitchell3006]

Definitely up the protien in the feed. 28-30% will give them more spunk. If you question their eating try sprinkling their feed across the bottom of a foil pie-pan. They will peck at the reflection and get a little feed. Put bright marbles or balls of foil in their feed and water to stimulate pecking. You can also try a tablespoon of honey dissolved in their water for some extra umpth.

Mark

 

[hitnrun]

definitely use at least 24 %protein feed or better

 

[NevadaRon]

WMR I was told to use at least 28%. I fed them Purina Turkey Starter until they finished a 50 lb. bag. about a week ago. Now they are on Purina Turkey Grower. I have one boy and one girl, too. See my post in this topic for a pic of them at 3 months - looks like it worked!

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Mine are on Mazuri gamebird starter, it's 30%, but I just realized today they don't like it, so I mixed it with some 22% chick starter and they went for it like a fat kid on cake!