Surprise! I Got A Poult!

[Jkbaca]

I went to TSC today to get feed, and the manager said they had an injured poult that they couldn't find anyone to take. I guess the other poults pecked its little wing pretty badly. It's missing it's feathers and some skin. They said I should take it because I sometimes take the sick or injured chicks that come in. So I took it home because I'm such a sucker!

Well, now I have this one poult. I set it up in my chick brooder with a heat source and game bird starter (tsc gave me some).

I've had chickens, ducks, geese, and guineas for years. I've never had turkeys. I don't know it's gender or anything. It might even be a meat breed for all anyone at the store knew. But I'll do my best, even if it only lives a little while before it gets too big.

So what should I do? Should I try to find it another poult? I don't really want a whole flock of turkeys, and my luck I'd get all toms. Should I get another one? What if I end up with two toms? Will two be ok if it's one tom and one hen?

I'd appreciate some advice.

 

[cavemanrich]

I don't keep turkeys, but think you can raise your poult with your chickens.
I will tag someone I know raises turkey, for better opinions.
@Molpet

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[Jkbaca]

I don't keep turkeys, but think you can raise your poult with your chickens.
I will tag someone I know raises turkey, for better opinions.
@Molpet

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

Thank you kindly!

 

[R2elk]

I went to TSC today to get feed, and the manager said they had an injured poult that they couldn't find anyone to take. I guess the other poults pecked its little wing pretty badly. It's missing it's feathers and some skin. They said I should take it because I sometimes take the sick or injured chicks that come in. So I took it home because I'm such a sucker!

Well, now I have this one poult. I set it up in my chick brooder with a heat source and game bird starter (tsc gave me some).

I've had chickens, ducks, geese, and guineas for years. I've never had turkeys. I don't know it's gender or anything. It might even be a meat breed for all anyone at the store knew. But I'll do my best, even if it only lives a little while before it gets too big.

So what should I do? Should I try to find it another poult? I don't really want a whole flock of turkeys, and my luck I'd get all toms. Should I get another one? What if I end up with two toms? Will two be ok if it's one tom and one hen?

I'd appreciate some advice.

If the poult is yellowish white, it is most likely a Broad Breasted White which is a meat turkey meant to be harvested by the time they are 4 to 6 months old.

Turkeys are very social birds and should have other turkeys for companions.

It is best to try to avoid imprinting the poult by limiting your contact with it. They imprint very easily.

At the poult stage it doesn't matter what sex it is for companions. As adults it will be best if all are the same sex whether male or female if they are broad breasted. Broad breasted turkeys are raised through artificial insemination at commercial hatcheries.

The toms get big enough that it can make natural breeding difficult and can cause the hens to become injured.

 

[Molpet]

I went to TSC today to get feed, and the manager said they had an injured poult that they couldn't find anyone to take. I guess the other poults pecked its little wing pretty badly. It's missing it's feathers and some skin. They said I should take it because I sometimes take the sick or injured chicks that come in. So I took it home because I'm such a sucker!

Well, now I have this one poult. I set it up in my chick brooder with a heat source and game bird starter (tsc gave me some).

I've had chickens, ducks, geese, and guineas for years. I've never had turkeys. I don't know it's gender or anything. It might even be a meat breed for all anyone at the store knew. But I'll do my best, even if it only lives a little while before it gets too big.

So what should I do? Should I try to find it another poult? I don't really want a whole flock of turkeys, and my luck I'd get all toms. Should I get another one? What if I end up with two toms? Will two be ok if it's one tom and one hen?

I'd appreciate some advice.

R2elk gives good advice.
Another poult would be better than a chick. I have turkey and chickens raised together and the turkeys don't understand that they are different species. They tend to injured and squash chickens every so often.

 

[Jkbaca]

If the poult is yellowish white, it is most likely a Broad Breasted White which is a meat turkey meant to be harvested by the time they are 4 to 6 months old.

Turkeys are very social birds and should have other turkeys for companions.

It is best to try to avoid imprinting the poult by limiting your contact with it. They imprint very easily.

At the poult stage it doesn't matter what sex it is for companions. As adults it will be best if all are the same sex whether male or female if they are broad breasted. Broad breasted turkeys are raised through artificial insemination at commercial hatcheries.

The toms get big enough that it can make natural breeding difficult and can cause the hens to become injured.

Thank you very much!

I don't eat my birds, so I think I will get another to avoid imprinting on me and then, once they are a bit older and this one is healed, I will find someone to take them.