The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: 28jen28 on June 30, 2011, 11:05:24 pm

Title: turkeys
Post by: 28jen28 on June 30, 2011, 11:05:24 pm

i got some 5 weeks old turkeys today and i having a problem getting turkey growers for them until next week. will they be ok on normal growers till then?

Title: Re: turkeys
Post by: Sylvia on July 01, 2011, 01:42:24 pm

As long as they're not running with hens they should be fine for a week or so.

Title: Re: turkeys
Post by: sam.t on July 01, 2011, 01:49:50 pm

where about r u based
sam :chook:

Title: Re: turkeys
Post by: 28jen28 on July 01, 2011, 09:30:16 pm

i'm in cornwall. also why not with hens?

Title: Re: turkeys
Post by: Womble on July 01, 2011, 09:32:29 pm

"Blackhead" disease I should think. I believe it's a parasitic thing that can be carried by hens with no ill effect, but can be lethal to (particularly young) turkeys.

Title: Re: turkeys
Post by: 28jen28 on July 01, 2011, 10:02:46 pm

o right didnt know that. they were hatched out by a hen but seperated yesterday when i got them. they are now in a pen by themselves but near my chickens is that ok

Title: Re: turkeys
Post by: Bright Raven on July 01, 2011, 10:15:25 pm

If you can't find turkey growers feed chick growers but make sure that it does not contain salinomycin which is toxic to turkeys.
Get the protien level up by feeding mashed boiled eggs including the shells as a supplement.
I couldn't get any turkey growers last year at all and they all did okay on general chick growers.

Good luck, turkeys are great fun.

Title: Re: turkeys
Post by: Womble on July 01, 2011, 11:03:29 pm

IIRC, the key thing is whether the ground has been used by chickens, as the parasites can remain in the soil (for yonks).  Ours are in a shed at the moment, but we will be letting them out to range eventually. It's kinda hard to find somewhere the hens haven't been - even the kitchen is out after I left the back door open the other day!  ;D