Raising turkey poults is rewarding for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that you can keep turkeys as pets.
Raising turkey poults is enjoyable and a wise decision for meat purposes. But keep in mind, raising poults is not the same as raising chicks or ducklings. They are much more delicate than other poultry species. Here are a few tips and tricks for successfully raising poults to maturity.
Raising baby turkeys, or poults, is an exciting and rewarding experience But it’s important to understand their specific needs, especially when it comes to their diet Unlike their feathered friends, chickens, turkey chicks require a higher protein intake for optimal growth and development. So, what do you feed turkey chicks to ensure they thrive?
The Importance of High-Protein Feed for Turkey Chicks
Turkey chicks, also known as poults, have a voracious appetite and need a diet rich in protein to support their rapid growth. Unlike chicks which require around 18-20% protein in their starter feed, poults need a whopping 28-30% protein content. This ensures they develop strong bones muscles, and feathers.
Choosing the Right Feed for Your Turkey Chicks
Now that you know the importance of high-protein feed for turkey chicks let’s explore the different options available:
- Turkey Starter Feed: This is the ideal choice for poults from birth to 8 weeks old. It’s specifically formulated to meet their high-protein needs and contains essential vitamins and minerals for optimal growth. Look for a feed with at least 28% protein content.
- Game Bird Starter Feed: This is another excellent option for turkey chicks, as it also contains a high protein content (around 24-26%). It’s a good alternative if you can’t find turkey starter feed.
- Chick Starter Feed: While not ideal for turkey chicks, chick starter feed can be used in a pinch for a short period. However, it’s important to supplement their diet with brewer’s yeast to increase the protein content. Remember, chick starter feed only contains around 18-20% protein, which is insufficient for turkey chicks’ needs.
Additional Tips for Feeding Turkey Chicks
Here are some additional tips to ensure your turkey chicks receive the proper nutrition:
- Start with a paper towel: For the first few days, sprinkle feed on a paper towel to help the poults learn to eat.
- Use the right feeders: Choose feeders that prevent feed spillage and contamination. Elevating the feeders after the first few days can help.
- Provide grit: Turkey chicks need grit, small stones that help grind their food. You can purchase baby poultry grit or make your own by washing and drying decomposed granite.
- Don’t overfeed: Overfeeding can lead to health problems. Follow the feeding instructions on the feed package and adjust as needed.
- Offer fresh water: Fresh, clean water should be available at all times. Use a chick fount for smaller poults and a gallon fount for larger birds.
Can Turkey Chicks Eat Chicken Starter?
While turkey chicks can technically eat chicken starter, it’s not the ideal choice. Chicken starter contains a lower protein content (around 18-20%) than turkey chicks require. This can lead to stunted growth, weak bones, and other health problems.
If you absolutely must use chicken starter, supplement their diet with brewer’s yeast to increase the protein content. However, it’s best to switch to a turkey starter or game bird starter feed as soon as possible.
Can Turkey Chicks Be Raised with Chickens?
While it’s possible to raise turkey chicks with chickens, it’s not always recommended. Turkeys are more susceptible to diseases carried by chickens, so strict sanitation practices are essential. Additionally, turkeys have different nutritional needs than chickens, so it’s important to provide them with separate feeders and feed.
If you choose to raise turkey chicks with chickens, keep them in separate brooders for the first few weeks. This will help prevent the spread of disease and ensure they receive the proper nutrition.
Raising turkey chicks requires special attention to their dietary needs. By providing them with a high-protein feed, such as turkey starter or game bird starter, you can ensure they grow into healthy, strong adults. Remember, don’t skimp on protein, as it’s crucial for their development. With proper care and feeding, your turkey chicks will thrive and bring you joy for years to come.
Raising Turkey Poults with Chicks
Add a chicken chick or two to your order when purchasing turkey poults. Select chicks from a hatchery or feed store that have never come into contact with the earth to reduce the risk of blackhead disease and safeguard the health of your fledgling flock. Read on to learn more about blackhead disease and how it can affect a flock of turkeys.
I’ll be quite frank; turkey poults are not the smartest of the bunch. Chicken chicks have an instinct to survive and seek food, heat, and water without being guided. Poults need constant reminders where to find those. Without the incorporation of chicks, you become the caretaker and responsible for keeping the poults alive.
Within a few days, the poults will be more independent and can care for themselves. After that, the chicks can either stay with the poults until they’re ready to move into their own coops or be taken out of the brooder and raised separately.
For a few days, confine poults to a smaller brooder space to make sure they stay near food, water, and heat. A rafter of young turkeys can become confused in a large space. This can cause them to starve or catch a chill.
To minimize workload, construct a brooder that will accommodate the growth of the young flock. Until they are completely feathered, which usually takes six to eight weeks, depending on the weather, poults are typically kept in a brooder. Enough space must be provided in the brooder to ensure livability without impeding the birds’ growth during this time. This calls for a minimum of two square feet per bird; however, three to four square feet ensure that the birds have enough room to spread their wings without feeling crowded.
There are multiple options for brooder bedding, with pine shavings as the most common. Straw is also a favorite among poultry keepers and is available chopped (designed for brooders) or in bales. Other options include peanut hulls, chopped cardboard, and crushed corn cobs. Refrain from using shaved cedar in bedding; the oils are drying and can harm the young birds.
Add three to four inches of bedding and replace it each time you clean the brooder. This quantity cushions the birds’ landing in the event that roosting bars are added and permits them to dust bathe without touching the brooder floor. Spot clean the brooder daily, especially where the feed, water, and heat source are located. Deep cleaning a brooder can be reserved weekly or as needed. Remember that an unclean brooder increases the risk of respiratory problems and serves as a haven for the coccidiosis parasite. A brooder should never have an ammonia smell permeating from the bedding.
Feel free to compost the bedding. How long it will take to decompose depends on material used.
Brooder heat is necessary for the first four to six weeks of life. This time will vary based on where you reside. Generally speaking, a bird no longer requires a heat source once it has all of its feathers. Two available heat sources include an infrared bulb or a heating plate designed for brooders. Both are effective, but a heating plate is a safer choice because it mimics the body temperature of a broody hen. A heating plate temperature never has to be regulated; simply adjust the legs’ height as the poults grow. This allows them to come and go from under the heat source comfortably.
For the first week after using an infrared bulb, the temperature beneath the bulb must stay at 95 degrees Fahrenheit. After that, raise the bulb, lowering the temperature by five degrees each week. Watch your daily to ensure the temperature within the brooder is right:
- Tightly clustered chicks suggest that the brooder is not heated sufficiently.
- When birds take a break from the heat source, it means the brooder is getting too hot.
- When chicks are comfortably resting beneath the lamp, the brooder’s temperature is ideal.
For safety reasons, secure the lamp to prevent it from being knocked down. Infrared heat lamps are the main cause of coop fires.
Young turkeys need a high protein feed to thrive and grow efficiently. Turkey poulets need the highest amount of protein in their first eight weeks of life, so the best option is to feed them a whole grain diet with 28% protein. However, a broiler chicken feed consisting of 23-24% protein is efficient. Between nine and 24 weeks, you can decrease to 18-20% protein or offer a fermented feed.
Raising Turkey for Beginners – What you need to know to get started!
FAQ
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