I want to raise baby turkeys,what is best to feed them and what precautions should I take to keep them healthy

Question

I raise chickens,will this be a problem,what vaccines are a must and what form of vitamins should I give.

Answer 1

I just got a shipment of 27- 2 day old turkeys from Cackle Hatchery. They hatched out on June 30 and I got the July 1. To date I have only lost one poult. It died on the second day.

When they got here I put them in with some two week old Polish chicks. (from the same hatchery)

I took the turkey poults out of the box one at a time and placed their beaks into some sugar water that was about 98 degrees. Then I placed them under one of the trouble lights w/75w bulbs. I have two of them on a bird house that is 4' x 5'6"

It has wood floors and wire floors that can be installed when the poults get large enough. I have been feeding my poults some Starter/Grower 24% protein that I am giving them. I am just giving them plain water at this point. I don't believe in putting medicine in a healthy animal with the belief that it will keep them healthy for months on end. I pulled the Polish last week. When they get a little older and they move onto regular poultry grains I will give them some good vitamins/supplements.

Probably about the time I put them on the ground in late winter. I plan on keeping them on wire for a few months.  I have five Spanish Blacks, five Blue/lavenders, five Royal Palms, six Bourbon Reds and five whites. I lost the extra white that they mailed me.

I can't emphasize how important it is to dip their beaks in the water. Then go back in a hour or so and do it again. Some don't  learn just by doing it once. Also it is important to have a handful of baby chicks to show them the way. I had purchased the standard Polish so the turkeys would have someone to show them how to eat and drink. I don't know of any vaccines. I plan on putting the extra turkeys in the freezer. I am hopeful for a trio of each breed and then to eat the remainder. I couldn't make my mind up what breed I wanted so I get almost all of them.  I knew that I didn't want the bronze. Keep them warm. One hatchery says, " if you order baby turkeys then you better have a good thermometer. Keeping them warm is the most important thing when they are small. Once they get feathered they are not a problem. That is when I will put them on wire. Good luck in your endeavor with turkeys. The framers of the constitution wanted to make the turkey the national symbol. They got out voted. The Eagle is nice.

Answer 2

Ok, firstly this site is open to the public so therefore - any dumb idiot can answer.

SO if you want to get facts you should ask a vet, farmer, chicken farmer or just trot down to your local zoo and ask for their advice.

Don't go getting the wrong information from people who just want to get a laugh and say, "YOu feed them a gallon of tar a day."

(By the way that is a joke... DO NOT FEED TURKEYS TAR)