Turkeys about breeding time

Up to a bakers dozen now (13). Yesterday I took one of the still wet ones that was alive but was just laying the eyes closed and breathing. When I picked it up it was very weak and still had it's umbilical cord attached it was about 2" long. I laid it under the heat lamp to dry off. Later in the evening it was still laying there, it was a bit more lively but couldn't stand. So I decided to cut it's umbilical cord off as close as I could to it's body with a pair of sizzors. I then gave it some water, food, ACV mix with an eye dropper. This morning I couldn't tell which one it was that I treated, they are all very active. So I guess good ole momma hen (me) did what was right by cutting it's umbilical cord and feeding it with an eye dropper? I'm thinking it may have hatched a little to fast maybe? IDK...

Bakers dozen

If it worked - it was a good thing. They are really cute little buggers!

Blackhead ---> https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/viewhtml.php?id=343

• Capsicum from hot peppers (i.e., Cayenne) has anecdotal success as a natural treatment for Blackhead disease. However, the effectiveness of treating Blackhead with Capsicum has not been verified through documented research.

I have had sucess by sprinkling dried habenero flakes over both chicken and turkey feed I do this about every three months now. I've even gave a really sick turkey who I thought had black head an eye dropper of seeped habenero and water - it worked. I tried Cayenne pepper first but the turkey got no worse nor better, habenero did the trick and worked well.

I'm up to 14 babies now and there are 7 eggs left that a hen is sitting on. I see 2 of the 7 eggs have pipped, so maybe more babbies tomorrow? Even if no more hatch - I'm really thankful for what has hatched.

What a nice bunch of chicks! You sure make a good momma turkey! They are cute too.

Adorable and a great hatch! So, will these all be going to freezer camp? The adults are lovely -- if I were close, I'd snatch a couple of those poults just to look at when grown..

Mini Horses said:

Adorable and a great hatch! So, will these all be going to freezer camp? The adults are lovely -- if I were close, I'd snatch a couple of those poults just to look at when grown..

Click to expand...

Freezer? Yes absolutely! I'm going to try and maintain 4 Hens and a Tom for breeding purposes, I currently have 2 Hens and a Tom.

Some more pictures of the cute little buggers.

A moth - Yes! It's manna from heaven.


That moth sure was tasty. Kinda dry though.


What's that flashy light thing?


How's my first selfie? Does my egg tooth look ok?

I've always heard how hard turkeys are to raise. Looks like you have the "secret"

I heard the same, but these little ones are doing great! And man, they are cute

They really aren't that hard, generally. They're not as tough as chicks at first but they aren't difficult. Happy to see so many good looking poults!