| BROODING & FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS FOR TURKEYS |
| HEAT - Temperature is extremely important for the first week for turkey poults. - Keep the temperature at 90 to 95 F (32 - 35 C ) 2" (5cm) off the floor for the first week and then decrease by 5 deg F (3 deg C) each week until you reach 70 F (21 C). - Turkeys are extremely sensitive to chilling so it is important to keep the heat constant. - Allow 3 infra red heat lamps per 100 poults or enough lamps to maintain proper temperature - Lamps should be set 18" (46 cm) above the floor for the first week and raised approx 3" ( 7.5cm) each week. FLOOR SPACE - Turkey Poults are twice the size of chicks. Allow 1 to 2 square fet per bird. - Use 18" (46cm) chick guard in a circle to prevent poults from straying from heat. - Chick guard circle diameter should be sufficient to permit poults to eat and drink at the edge of the heated area and return to the warm brooding area for heat. - Before allowing the Poults the run of the whole brooder house make sure the corners of the house are rounded with chick guard so the birds do not pile into corners and smother. Watch the flock carefully for signs of litter eating. FEEDERS - Allow 2"- 4" (5 - 10cm) of feeder space per bird. - One 36" (1m) feeder will feed approximately 50 - 75 young birds. About 25 adult birds. WATER - Allow 3 or 4 - 1 gal(4.5L) waterers for every 100 Poults. - Use Super Booster or Tetracycline for the first 5 days 1tsp per gal (4.5L). - Use vitamins in the water from one week old throughout the growing period to help reduce leg problems. LITTER - A good litter provides stability and insulation for the birds. -The bedding should be 3" to 4" 5cm to 10cm deep.. - Do not replace all the bedding at one time. - Use poultry peat moss, wheat straw or shavings. Never use shavings that contain chemicals, paper, sand, or sawdust as a litter. - Prepare the brooder area by spreading litter to a depth of 3 - 4 inches. Chilling can be caused by not enough floor insulation. This can lead to mortalities, stunting, ascities, or crooked toes. - Remove any wet or caked litter as soon as it develops, and add clean fresh litter. VENTILATION - Ventilation is important from the first day. It provides fresh air, it removes stale air, it controls temperature, it controls humidity, it removes dust, it regulates ammonia and carbon dioxide levels, as well as keeping the floor drier and the chicks healthier. LIGHTING - Have full light available for the first 5 days to ensure turkey poults find the feed and water. - Tip: Have some chicks mixed in with turkey poults for the first few day to help teach the turkeys to find the food. Chicks will automatically go to the food and turkeys will follow. - After the Poults have been on water and feed for 5 days reduce the light intensity to limit the possibility of picking. - Light from an infra-red heat lamp is enough light depending on the house, or supplement with a low wattage light bulb. If the light is too bright it could promote picking. FEED - Turkeys should be fed a 25% to 28% Turkey Starter for the first 6 weeks. - NEVER dilute a Starter with grains as you are drastically cutting back on the vitamin and mineral intake. - After 6 weeks of age an 16 -18 % Grower Ration may be used. - Use a 35 - 38% Grower Supplement mixed 3 parts grain to 1 part Grower Supplement. Mixing guidlines are as follows: - If using a poultry supplement (35 - 38%), mix 1 part supplement to 3 parts cracked or chopped grains. - Recommended grain mixture is 60% wheat, 25% oats, and 15% barley. - Always add a poultry supplement. Note:Grains alone lack severel essential nurtients needed for steady growth and to maintain healthy birds. - You may use straight grain chop 1 week prior to butchering. - If not using grains use a 16 - 18% Grower Ration. This can be fed straight through until butchering. Do not dilute this with grains as this is a complete ration. - Provide grit from 3 - 4 weeks on, as free choice. - A form of calcium such as limestone is recommended to strengthen bones and joints and reduce leg problems. HEAVY TURKEY PROGRAM - 0 TO 6 Weeks - 25% - 28% Turkey Starter - 7 TO 16 Weeks - 21% Turkey Grower - 17 Weeks to slaughter - 16% Turkey Finisher - Turkeys grow rather quickly. They grow from about 60 grams to over nine kilograms (about 18 pounds) in 20 weeks which means they increase their weight by 150 times in that period. Cutting corners in any poultry growing program does not save money. More often the not it cost you $$$$$$$.. Interesting Information - Many people think turkeys are stupid and unco-operative birds. - Did you know that Poults, for the first few days of their lives, are almost blind. - Turkeys are not well feathered, have poor developed eye sight, have rather long awkward legs, and are curious about new or different things around them. - Compensate for their awkward legs by arranging feeders and waterers like spokes in a wheel so the Poults can get back to the brooder quickly and easily before becoming chilled. - Do not make quick changes in equipment as turkeys are easily confused and may be unable to find the water or the feed. - A balanced ration should be used throughout the growing period. Grasshoppers and green grass may help keep a bird alive but they don't contribute much unless the grasshoppers are plentiful enough to be classified as an infestion. |