The Baby Turkeys at My Farm

May 4, 2023

We have little babies at my farm -- this time, baby turkeys, or chicks, or poults.

It's always exciting when baby fowl hatch successfully. I have been raising chickens, turkeys, geese, peafowl, and other birds for many years. Many of them are incubated and hatched in the feed room of my stable where they can be kept warm, safe, and closely monitored. Right now, we have six poults - all healthy, alert, and very cute.

Here are some photos, enjoy.

: Down at the stable, we set up our incubating and hatching equipment from GQF Manufacturing, Inc. in Savannah, Georgia – a company that specializes in game bird and poultry supplies. There are several crucial conditions needed for proper embryo development in all birds. These factors include: proper temperature, controlled humidity, and sufficient air circulation.

: Meanwhile, the brooder is prepared for when the chicks hatch and can be moved. A heat lamp is placed into the cage to keep it warm. Early on, it should be about 14-18 inches from the floor, but as they grow, it needs to be raised appropriately. The temperature starts at 95-degrees Fahrenheit and then decreased by five degrees every week until the turkeys are fully feathered at around six to eight weeks of age.

: Fresh, clean water is always provided. In fact, every chick is personally shown where their food and water sources are, so they know where to find it.

: We also keep soft toys in the brooder, so the chicks can perch on them.

: And here are two of our babies, now a couple weeks old. The reddish tint is from the heat lamp.

: In all, we have six. Raising baby turkeys is a lot like raising chickens. Both birds need good quality feed, fresh water, safe living spaces, clean bedding, adequate roosting areas, and nesting boxes.

: These chicks are very healthy. And by nature, turkeys are docile, regal, and intelligent creatures.

: They are also cleaner than chickens, in part because they don’t scratch the ground as much. This one is already perching on the toy.

: Turkeys are also quite gentle – with each other and with all who visit. These babies love to play with each other and are not shy when visitors enter the room.

: And do you know… turkeys can actually make more than 20 different noises. And, only adult male turkeys can gobble.

: When young, poults should have a free-choice starter feed that is at least 28-percent protein. These poults are given a special starter food for the first several weeks.

: At this stage, these baby turkeys are called chicks, or poults. When a chick grows up, it will be called a tom or gobbler if it is male, and a hen if it is female. Adolescent males are also called jakes.

: It is still a bit difficult to determine the gender of each of our turkey chicks. At around three to four weeks of age the males may begin to strut or fan their tail feathers, drop their wings and hold out all of their contour feathers to make their bodies appear larger.

: Here, one can see their feathers starting to come in. On males, these feathers have black tips. The feather tips are brown on females. This one may be a male turkey.