Bedding for Turkey Poults (or chicks)

[Michael Mellen]

Question: what is the safest thing I could use for bedding?

It was suggested by someone I know to use paper towels to line the bed. This suggestion cost me 4 poults as they were eating the towels. I am using chick starter, the local feed store told me that is for turkeys as well. I need to know what works best with them, and what about chicks?

Thank you all for you help.........

 

[kuntrygirl]

I use old towels. Paper towels could get costly. I am not a fan of shavings. That scares me.

Good luck with your poults.

 

[Michael Mellen]

Paper towels are cheap for me, I get them by the case for free since I work at a paper mill.

I caught one of them pulling at the towel and then trying to swallow it, and the others were fighting him over it like it was an insect. I lost 4 already, and don't know for sure if this is the cause. Lessen learned! Right now I have no bedding, just washing out the basin with a water hose each time I clean their area. I was thinking about getting some sand for them, I would think I need to try to keep their feet dry????

The poults that I have left are about a week old and they are doing great! The only thing I have ever raised was rabbits, and this is nothing like raising rabbits! I am wanting to incubate their eggs for next year.

Thank you very much for your reply..........

 

[kuntrygirl]

Paper towels are cheap for me, I get them by the case for free since I work at a paper mill.    I caught one of them pulling at the towel and then trying to swallow it, and the others were fighting him over it like it was an insect.  I lost 4 already, and don't know for sure if this is the cause. Lessen learned!  Right now I have no bedding, just washing out the basin with a water hose each time I clean their area.  I was thinking about getting some sand for them, I would think I need to try to keep their feet dry???? 

The poults that I have left are about a week old and they are doing great!  The only thing I have ever raised was rabbits, and this is nothing like raising rabbits!  I am wanting to incubate their eggs for next year. 

Thank you very much for your reply..........

Well send me some !!!!!!

If you ever have any other questions, please feel free to check out this site for pointers

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/761082/questions-for-experienced-turkey-enthusiast

or join this thread. We are talking about EVERYTHING TURKEY for 2013

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/725829/turkeys-for-2013

Sand is great. I have sand in my coops and runs and yard.

 

[Michael Mellen]

Thank you very much, I will bookmark the threads. Already learned some things from the thread!

Thanks again.......

 

[kuntrygirl]

Thank you very much, I will bookmark the threads.  Already learned some things from the thread! 

Thanks again.......

 

You are very welcome!

 

[Lagerdogger]

I am using chick starter, the local feed store told me that is for turkeys as well. I need to know what works best with them, and what about chicks?

The chick starter probably doesn't have enough protein in it. You want something in the 26% to 30% range for starting turkeys. If they are not getting enough protein, they may be trying to supplement their diet with the paper towels. Another possibility is that you are leaving the paper towels in too long. I start mine on rice hulls covered with paper towels. I scatter feed on the towels, but remove the towels as soon as I know that a few of the poults know how to find the feeder. No more than three days, probably just two. I start with one of those snap top feeders for chicks, but leave the top open until i am convinced that every one knows that that's where the food is. Then I shut it to reduce spillage and birds messing in the feed.

 

[Michael Mellen]

The feed that the supplier gave me assured me that it was for turkeys, but is at 18% protein. I will go somewhere else tomorrow to see what I can find. Thank you for your help!!!

 

[R2elk]

The feed that the supplier gave me assured me that it was for turkeys, but is at 18% protein. I will go somewhere else tomorrow to see what I can find. Thank you for your help!!!

I don't know who your local feed store is but do know for a fact that all too many of the chain stores have employees who do not know how bad the advice is that they are giving out. The chick starter that I use for chicks is 23% protein so at 18% protein they are selling you an inferior chick starter to begin with. I would not feed my turkey poults anything less than 26% protein.

 

[Megann]

Get game bird starter for your poults...18% is waaaaay to low.