I’m Raising a Turkey Poult?
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Turkey raising
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Question by : I’m Raising a Turkey Poult?
…Yesterday, my mom surprised me with a new turkey poult (for easter) I went with her to pick him out. This is my first turkey, and I’d like to get some more information about raising my new little guy.
He is a tom turkey. His breed is Midget White and he is a couple weeks old. When I got home from their home, I placed him in the brooder with my pullets. I also have the option of getting a female midget turkey poult.
…From what I’ve ~heard~, your not supposed to have turkeys with your chickens (they eat the poop)
….But I’ve ~read~ that you can keep a turkey with your chickens if you raise them together at a young age (the baby will do as the other chicks do, not eat the poop)
*Can I do this since they are still so young?
~Or should I get another female poult, if so, aren’t they loud together?
Please leave some basic turkeys as pets information. Thank you so much if you could. Can add more information as asked for.
He will be kept as a pet. I think we can get another hen poult. owners could tell his gender because of his breed, the males have bumps developing on their heads at the age of 10days or so.
** I like the way you think Ted, But did you ever have a turkey die from the poop? or something…
What do you think? Answer below!
3 Responses to I’m Raising a Turkey Poult?
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Young turkey poults need different food from young chicken chicks and they are very timid (they suffer from high blood pressure and can die from a heart attack quite easily), this is why you should not raise them together. They may eat poop (they are not the brightest of birds) but it is the fact they need different food and may get injured by boisterous chicks that is the reason to house them separately. When they are adult as long as they have been raised together you can keep them together and feed them layers food but adult turkeys will not accept new chickens in their pen and may well attack and hurt them. Chickens carry worms which cause Blackhead disease in turkeys, you must worm your birds to prevent this disease which is often fatal.
How do you know it is a male bird? It is virtually impossible to sex young turkeys until 12-14 weeks of age. Are you planning on eating him when he is adult? Otherwise why bother to keep 1 turkey on its own, this is cruel, they are sociable birds and as a male he will spend 10-12 hours a day displaying to attract a mate. Always keep a pair if you are not going to eat him.
Trust Me I'm a Doctor ♥
May 5, 2012 at 5:16 pm
regardless of whether you raise him with chickens they will eat the poop if they want to
chickens also do this this is natural anyway
i usually raised about 4 turkeys with my chickens because they were an absolute terror to any rat that got into the coupe
Ted
May 5, 2012 at 5:48 pm
You are lucky to get a turkey! I love them! It’s all right to raise the turkey in the brooder with the chicks, because later in life he will guard them. It would be a good idea to get another one, because my rule is “Always get 2 of the same type”. I’ve also been trying to contact you, but I can’t. Since I’ve noticed that you know a lot of about chickens (and obviously love them!) I would like to ask you to become a member of my blog, http://www.theblackegg.webs.com
Hope everything goes well!
Moon Pup
May 5, 2012 at 6:37 pm