Turkey update.

I have been a proud owner of turkeys now for 8 days. We did lose one, but by the looks of them when they came in I say they had a pretty rough trip. So here's what I have learned this week.

Turkeys are different than chicks, They aren't as noisy. I hardly know these guys are in the house. When you walk up to the cage they freeze and kind of squat down like they are hiding. They don't seem to eat as much. I did finally  get turkey starter ( also learned to ask the woman at the feed store where the feed is, the man said I had to buy 50lb bag of game feed, woman showed me where to buy turkey starter in bulk. I only bought 10 pounds at 1/3 of price) I also great tip from a new friend, Marianne that said you can put a boiled egg in chick starter for extra protein. She too is raising some baby turkeys. (Marianne, if you are checking in please look at reply to you last comment.)

All in all it seems to be working out. They aren't feathering out as fast as chicks either.So they will probably be inside turkeys for awhile. The weather here is crazy, hot, humid, muggy during the day then major thunderstorms and gauley washers at night.I have been doing so much running with my kids since they are in the last days of school that I haven't researched the next step.I do see a difference in a couple of the chicks, so I am guessing 3 gobblers and 2 hens. We will see, well it's back out the door. Have a great day!

Comments

[AJ-OAKS]

Even without a turkey mom, the chicks seem to know how to 'hide'. I would have thought they would feather out faster than chickens since they get so big. But heck, I know nothing about turkeys so am learning along the way. Not that I will ever have any! But nice to learn anyway.
Your weather sounds a lot like ours. Sun, muggy, rain, sprinkles, wind, all in one day. That's ok with me since I despise the heat of summer.

[Amy]

Glad to hear the turks are doing well. I would have to say our turkeys have never been quiet. So I find it interesting that yours are so quiet and ours run up to the side of the cage when they see us and peck at us. LOL And it does take a good 2 months for them to get their feathers.

[Teresa]

They are looking good. They kind of remind me of peacock babies. I used to put boiled egg in their food to start also, but that is partly because they are not very smart and don't know to eat their actual feed.

[kathy aka hereford maid]

Teresa, I also thought about getting peacocks, but I better stick with one project at a time.

[kathy aka hereford maid]

Amy, They are starting to make a little more noise. I haven't really messed with them too much because everyone told me they were so difficult to raise. I think they are finally starting to get use to me as their new mom. I can talk to them and they will perk up more.

[kathy aka hereford maid]

AJ-Oaks, The turks do act different than the itty bitties I just raised. Who, by the way are in big trouble because they won't quit pooping on the porch.I let them run in the yard all day, but when I come in the house they come looking for me. I guess that's what you get for being a good mom, your kids won't leave. LOL

[farmerjanecom@gmail,com]

Look to http://farmerpages.com/listing/guide/livestock/poultry for chicks. Peacocks would be interesting. Keep us all updated.