Not sure if it is proper English to use the term “Baby Turkeys” instead of “Poults”. However, (at least for me), using the word “baby” makes it clear that certain conditions must be met or the little ones will die.
This page will focus on baby turkeys that “have” a mother to keep them warm. There will be a separate page for turkey chicks that are “without” a mother turkey hen.
Details about the incubator will be on a different page. The internet already has a lot of information about both the brooder and the incubator, so please read as much as you can.
In the above picture: A Royal Palm pout, an Eastern Wild Turkey pout and three Bourbon Red poults
Inspect your pen for holes. The turkey chicks could get out of those holes, and a predator could get in through those weak spots.
All of our pens have low barrier of . 5 inch wire cloth or plastic netting. This 6″-tall wall is just there to keep the baby turkeys from getting caught in the chicken wire. No need to worry about this for the first five days, or until the chicks get too big to fit through the chicken wire.
Note: As the chicken wire rusts to “fail point”, I am replacing it with the . 5 inch wire welded wire. —a big cost up front, but it will pay for itself because chicken wire needs to be replaced every five years on the east coast of Florida, but I haven’t found out how long the welded wire lasts before it needs to be replaced.
The biggest killer of wild & domestic heritage baby turkeys. There seems to be a two-week window when rain and the hypothermia it causes are very bad for the brood.
“The short neck syndrome” is caused by living in muddy places or being wet. This is another stupid term we made up. – All of a sudden, a baby turkey that was healthy gets wet or sick, and its neck falls over its shoulders. “The short neck syndrome” soon the wings will begin to droop.
Unfortunately, this is the body language signal that is saying “I’m sick”. Most turkeys that show this behavior will be dead by morning, having died overnight under their mothers’ care.
What do you think? Does your pen have a cover that the hen can use to protect her chicks from the sun or rain?
Supply finely ground high protein poultry feed for the poults. Most “high protein” poultry feed will be titled something like: “Game bird starter” or “Sporting bird starter”. The picture on the bag might show quail, pheasant, duck or turkeys.
In emergencies, “Chick starter” (a finely ground food with a lower amount of protein) will do fine. But it’s not a good idea to use it for a long time.
Provide clean water every day. The containers need to be shallow. Domestic turkeys drink often. (Perhaps wild turkeys do also if the water is available).
The internet is full of warnings that baby turkeys are prone to drowning. Drowning: “Never happened to us”. But then we took heed of the warnings.
From what I can gather the poults observe their mother to learn quickly about eating and drinking. It looks like there’s a natural urge to gather around the mother’s head. The chicks will run to see what’s going on if you tap your fingers on the ground or feeders.
We have also followed internet advice and placed a shiny object in the water bowl to encourage drinking.
Each of our food and water containers can be raised to fit the needs of the babies as they grow. The chicks are only two days old in the picture, and the water container is sitting right on the ground.
The baby turkeys quickly fowl their water container with starter food and body wastes. Every day or two, change the water, and as the chicks get bigger, raise the water bowl so the babies can’t walk in it.
And you will discover they quickly fowl their food containers as well as attempting scratch it. As with the water containers, the food should be raised whenever possible so that only the heads can get to it.
Upon the arrival the Florida summer there is another reason to dump the water containers every day–Mosquito larva.
For bedding we prefer pine shavings. —large as flake as possible. We will use hay also, but the shavings seem easier to clean. Suggest never using sawdust. The chicks will eat the sawdust and might get sick, and the “dust” could kill the chicks slowly.
Because of the dust, we have to keep the baby turkeys in the inside pens longer than we’d like when the Florida rainy season comes back. Every now and then there is a mystery disease that will wipe out half of the brood. The only suspect I can come up with is dust in the lungs. And even big pine flakes are dusty. The mother hen will start to flap her strong wings as she heals from her 28-day ordeal. The result is dust in the air.
It seems clear that turkeys with their mothers don’t need extra heat, but early season poults and out of season poults (fall and winter) will spend the day under a heat lamp. The babies will cry when they get too cold for the heat lamp to warm them up. The hen will then settle down and welcome them into the flock.
On occasion the poults will eat something that looks like an insect but is not & choke.
Funny situation: chasing the little birds to free them
These young turkeys are of a size where a soaking by rain is harmless to them.
Visit this amazing website if you want to (or need to) order poults by mail or learn more about the genetics and color variations of Heritage Turkeys:
In “It’s a Matter of Luck,” pet lovers from all over the world can read heartwarming stories about horses that were saved from being killed.
Warning: This book may cause your eyes to water -in a good way. (speaking from experience after reading it).
Author Bruce Ryba at Kennedy Space Center Launch Pad 39B & Artemis 1. “We are going to the Moon!”.
For the video versions of information, please check out my YouTube Channel (Turkeys, KSC, Flintknapping, dive stories etc.)
Desperate times call for bold action. To keep Florida and protect the dangerous trip back to Europe of the treasure-laden galleons, the King of Spain issues a royal decree giving English slaves who escape Florida and pick up a musket to defend the coquina walls of Saint Augustine refuge. In yet another risky move, the King gives refuge to the angry Indian nations of the southeast if they will fight the English. After being hurt by war and sickness, clans cross the Spanish frontier to settle in Florida’s cattle-rich land and burned missions. Follow the descendants of the conqueror Louis Castillo in faraway Spanish Florida, a wild place that has been hit by hurricanes, diseases, and invasions from the north.
Royal Palm turkeys are a popular heritage breed prized for their beautiful plumage and meat quality. If you’re raising these unique birds, a 3 month old royal palm turkey will be going through some key developmental phases. Here’s what to expect and how to care for royal palms at this age.
Overview of 3 Month Old Royal Palm Turkeys
By 3 months of age, royal palm poults have left the brooder stage and entered the juvenile phase. Here are some characteristics of 3 month old royal palms:
- Weigh 4-8 lbs on average
- Beginning to show distinctive white and black feather patterns
- Rapid juvenile feather growth occurring
- Gender differences become more apparent
- Establishing social hierarchy within flock
- Increased energy levels and foraging instincts
It’s an important transitional time as the poults become young turkeys Proper care and feeding is crucial now for proper development,
Housing Considerations for 3 Month Olds
The housing needs of royal palm turkeys change as they mature. Here are some tips for 3 month old birds:
- Move them from brooder into predator-proof outdoor pen or pasture shelter.
- Ensure at least 5-10 square feet of floor space per turkey.
- Provide dust bathing areas to encourage feather grooming.
- Begin introducing roosts bars mounted 18 inches above floor.
- Ensure adequate ventilation and dry litter.
- Allow access to outdoors and sunshine.
Proper housing reduces risks of illness and encourages natural behaviors. Make changes gradually to avoid stress.
Feeding and Water Requirements
The dietary needs of 3 month old royal palm turkeys include:
- Transition feed from 28% protein starter to 26% protein grower feed.
- Feed 1.5-2 lbs per turkey daily.
- Ensure free access to fresh water at all times.
- Provide oyster shell or grit separately to aid digestion.
- Offer chopped greens, vegetables, fruits and insects for foraging.
- Avoid sudden feed changes to prevent digestive upset.
- Monitor weight gains to gauge proper nutrition.
Work closely with an avian nutritionist to formulate optimal diets. Avoid over or under feeding.
Typical Behavior of 3 Month Old Royal Palms
The behavior of royal palm turkeys will evolve significantly between 3-5 months old. Here are some common behaviors exhibted:
- Increased vocalizations including gobbles, yelps, and purring.
- Heightened interest in surroundings and exploration.
- Establishing a pecking order within the flock.
-dust bathing frequently to clean and distribute oils on feathers. - Increased food consumption and foraging instincts developing.
- Wary of unfamiliar people or loud noises.
Expect very active, curious young turkeys eager to explore their expanding world Proper socialization is important now
Common Health Issues
While royal palms are a robust heritage breed. here are some common health issues that may emerge around 3 months old
- Parasites such as coccidia – treat with anticoccidial drug.
- Bumblefoot – provide dry litter and clean perches.
- Respiratory illness – ensure good ventilation.
- Injuries – trim toenails and provide safe housing.
- Heat stress – ample water and shade.
Routine health monitoring, preventive care and prompt treatment helps avoid problems. Know the signs of illness in growing turkeys.
Preparing Royal Palms for Breeding
For heritage preservation:
- Identify and separate male and female birds by 5 months old.
- Monitor weight – males should reach 35 lbs, hens 25 lbs by 6-7 months old.
- Ensure proper nutrition to support breeding condition.
- Select the best specimens for breeding stock.
- Plan adequate time for males to mature before breeding.
- Prevent closely related inbreeding.
Proper preparation leads to success breeding and hatching royal palm poults.
Raising royal palm turkeys to 3 months old takes diligent care and planning. But the reward is healthy juvenile birds exhibiting their spectacular natural beauty while developing into thriving adults. Follow their unique needs for housing, feeding, behavior and health as they transition to juveniles. With attentive care, you’ll be rewarded with vibrant young royal palms.
Will Our Royal Palm Turkey Hen Accept A New Baby??
FAQ
How rare is a royal palm turkey?
How long does it take for a Royal Palm turkey egg to hatch?
What do Royal Palm baby turkeys look like?
What color are royal palm turkey eggs?
How many eggs does a Royal Palm turkey lay a year?
A mature female turkey can lay between 80 to 120 eggs per year, with each egg weighing between 50 and 60 grams. The eggs are typically white with brown speckles and are considered to be of high quality for both eating and hatching. Royal Palm turkeys are primarily kept for their eggs and as ornamental birds.
When did the Royal Palm turkey become an official breed?
Development of the Royal Palm Turkey took place in Florida in the early 1920s. However, this was very early development. It would still take a few decades before the Royal Palm Turkey would become an official breed in the eyes of breeding organizations. We do not know for sure the exact breeds that went into the development of this bird.
Why are Royal Palm turkeys so popular?
One of the main reasons that Royal Palm turkeys are popular with farmers and homesteaders is their excellent egg-laying ability. A mature female turkey can lay between 80 to 120 eggs per year, with each egg weighing between 50 and 60 grams.
How many hens can a Royal Palm turkey feed?
For breeding purposes, one tom can service up to 7 hens. Unlike broad breasted meat turkeys, Royal Palms can breed naturally, and the hens will go broody. Although Royal Palm turkeys have never been selectively bred for fast growth and heavy muscling, they make a nice holiday alternative for a small family.