Turkeys 101 - New To Turkeys (What Do I Need To Know?)

[lilybug51]

It is not unusual with first time layers to drop their egg from wherever they are at the time the urge comes on them.

The simplest method to provide a nesting area for a turkey is to lean a pallet up against a wall. A wide "board" can also work.

hmm...she roosts in the coop. has several tunnel structures (1 large plastic covered and 2 smaller wooden triangles) outside plus a large dog kennel with door removed lined with straw inside the coop. Is this sufficient?

 

[R2elk]

hmm...she roosts in the coop. has several tunnel structures (1 large plastic covered and 2 smaller wooden triangles) outside plus a large dog kennel with door removed lined with straw inside the coop. Is this sufficient?

It depends on her and the size of the wooden triangles. If they are to cramped they may not appeal to her. It can be helpful to put a fake egg (or a real one that has been marked) in your desired nesting place. Always leave an egg or fake egg once she begins using the nest since turkeys don't normally like their nest being messed with. Removing all the eggs can cause a turkey hen to abandon the nest for a better site. In her mind, a better site is one that you can't find no matter how dangerous a site it is for her.

 

[TriskeleFarm]

Not sure if this thread is still being watched - the main post says don't keep turkey poults in with waterfowl, but doesn't really go into *why*. My two turkeys and 3 ducklings and a bunch of chicks are all in a large brooder. they are all 5 days old and so far seem to be doing well. Will there be issue as they get older, or problems now? I added a higher protein food, and we will split them out fairly soon, I just want to find out why they can't share space?

 

[R2elk]

Not sure if this thread is still being watched - the main post says don't keep turkey poults in with waterfowl, but doesn't really go into *why*. My two turkeys and 3 ducklings and a bunch of chicks are all in a large brooder. they are all 5 days old and so far seem to be doing well. Will there be issue as they get older, or problems now? I added a higher protein food, and we will split them out fairly soon, I just want to find out why they can't share space?

Waterfowl typically keep things wet and sloppy. Poults should be kept dry. Waterfowl should have a lower protein feed than turkey poults should be fed although both require the higher lysine, methionine and niacin levels.

Turkey poults imprint very easily. Imprinting causes them to lose the ability to understand that there is a difference between them and the species they have been imprinted by. This inability can be harmful to the other species once the turkeys mature and use their size advantage against the other species.

 

[TriskeleFarm]

thank you! they are in a big baby pack n play with a single heat lamp. the room itself is quite warm, so if I see them get hot in there,

Waterfowl typically keep things wet and sloppy. Poults should be kept dry. Waterfowl should have a lower protein feed than turkey poults should be fed although both require the higher lysine, methionine and niacin levels.

Turkey poults imprint very easily. Imprinting causes them to lose the ability to understand that there is a difference between them and the species they have been imprinted by. This inability can be harmful to the other species once the turkeys mature and use their size advantage against the other species.

Thank you. the turkeys and ducklings and chicks are doing well now, and no real opportunity to make things too wet. but as they get a little bigger I will definitely split the ducks out. They'll be getting a cooler cage with a little water area.

 

[Sailfishraider]

I know you touched on separating the mom from chicks when they are ready but if I’m selling my chicks what’s my minimum time before I can separate them for sale?

 

[Molpet]

I know you touched on separating the mom from chicks when they are ready but if I’m selling my chicks what’s my minimum time before I can separate them for sale?

You can separate poults from hen any time. If I have people wanting poults I grab them as soon as I can.

 

[nao57]

Just curious...

Is there a type of Turkey that is quiet?

A few years our neighbor had some and they'd never shut up. But if there's some that are quiet that would be interesting.

And out of chickens and turkeys, which are better at foraging?