Two 6 day old turkeys, help

[Gina]

I have two 6 day old turkey poults that were not keeping up with mother hen. They looked healthy when born on Sunday but we noticed as the days went by that the two (albinos) were getting weaker. On Thurs the mother showed no interest in them and they were by themselves, cold and weak. I put them in a cage with heat lamp set to 95 as I also have 4 baby quail just a few days older then them and already had the wild turkey starter feed on hand . Once they were warmed up I dipped their beaks in water, both drank but not very much. I began giving them water drop by drop via syringe every couple of hours.

Yesterday I took them to Florida Wild veternarian clinic (as pets) as even though both of them were doing much better, neither would eat or drink on their own and they were both "droopy". I let them know that even though I would like to continue with their care if they thought the birds needed to go to a rehabber I would be willing to part with them. Whatever was in their best interest. They were there from 11:30-6:00 and the vet felt that I was on the right track with them and was advised to continue feeding them water by syringe every 3-4 hours and not to worry about food as they were only 5 days old. Also, not to feed during the night. I also got some advise from Anne and put them in with the baby quail hoping that they might learn to drink and peck food. They love piling together to sleep but other then that the turkeys are not showing any interest in wandering over to the water or food.

This morning the weaker one is much weaker and the stronger one shows no improvement. Neither show interest in water or food and just want to sleep.

[Jackie in Tampa]

Gina I don't know the first thing about turkeys, hoping someone can help...
hang in there baby birds:grouphug :turkey :grouphug

[Gina]

Gina I don't know the first thing about turkeys, hoping someone can help...
hang in there baby birds:grouphug :turkey :grouphug

Thanks, Jackie:Love_Icon

[Gina]

This picure was taken Monday. The poults were one day old and you can see that the albino baby is a little smaller. At the time both albino babies were keeping up and looked healthy.

They no longer hold their heads up high except when I pick them up to give them water. I was advised to only give them water but I am worried they are starving to death.:shakehead


137665

[Gina]

:sad :sad :sad The weaker one just died:shakehead

[stosh2010]

Only water...what are they in prison...
I would thing-like most babies-- they are eating every couple of hours...but I am just guessing--HERE ! Can you make a mash from their seed ( regular diet ??) Corn meal and grit for digestion??? Always Sleeping is not a good sign. How many days on JUST WATER ????PLEASE

WE NEED TURKEY HELP HERE !!!

[m&bs mom]

Whenever we raised turkeys we always put something shiny in the water and feed (a quarter), it attracts them. If I remember we added a little sugar to the water and it was a bit on the warmer side. Sorry to hear about the one you lost and hope the others can pull through.

[Gina]

Only water...what are they in prison...
I would thing-like most babies-- they are eating every couple of hours...but I am just guessing--HERE ! Can you make a mash from their seed ( regular diet ??) Corn meal and grit for digestion??? Always Sleeping is not a good sign. How many days on JUST WATER ????PLEASE

WE NEED TURKEY HELP HERE !!!

I took them in on Thurs, around 4pm. Once warmed I gave lukewarm sugar water to both. First by dipping beaks then with syringe. I cannot be sure if or for how long they went without food or water. Thursday morning they both had 2 feedings (via syringe) of a watery mash I made from the starter feed. Friday at 11:30am I dropped them at vet as they still refused to eat/drink on their own. According to the vet tech they gave them water every 3 hours while they were there. I took there advise and only gave water after bringing them home and did not feed during the night. This morning I gave both the watery mash as I was so worried they were starving. The surviving chick does seem to be a little stronger but not much.

Thank you Stosh, and yes I need HELP really FAST if this last one is to survive. I think I may be over my head here.

[CritterMom]

Can they eat something like Kaytee exact parrot handfeeding formula? I have no idea about turkeys...but it is readily available at pet stores and is a liquid so it can be given just like the water. I genuinely don't know anything about precocial birds like turkeys and chickens, though.

[Gina]

Whenever we raised turkeys we always put something shiny in the water and feed (a quarter), it attracts them. If I remember we added a little sugar to the water and it was a bit on the warmer side. Sorry to hear about the one you lost and hope the others can pull through.


I have actually raised baby turkeys, chickens, guinea and quail but all were healthy so things went well. I used the same methods that I would for other hatchlings - water is lukewarm, kept fresh. Shiny things in food and water. (I use little washers&nuts) I am not sure what I am doing wrong with these two except to think they need more then what I can give them....like maybe tube feeding or something. I don't understand why the vet felt they were doing ok.. I thought I must have been over reacting. I feel terrible that the one died - could he have starved?? Maybe if I had kept it home and kept feeding it the mash??:dono

[Gina]

Can they eat something like Kaytee exact parrot handfeeding formula? I have no idea about turkeys...but it is readily available at pet stores and is a liquid so it can be given just like the water. I genuinely don't know anything about precocial birds like turkeys and chickens, though.

That sounds promising.... I will run to petsmart and get some. A bird is a bird??? I don't see how it could hurt at this point since this baby is only a little bit stronger then the other one was. How long can he hang in there??

[CritterMom]

Hey Gina - a variation on the shiny thing. Once he is standing up on his own, do you have a small hand mirror of some kind? Maybe a hand mirror, maybe an old compact? Sprinkle the food ON THE MIRROR and stick it right under his nose. They ARE facinated with shiny and tend to peck at it and maybe will accidently start eating???

[CritterMom]

And any handfeeding formula will work - doesn't have to be Kaytee. Lefaber makes one, I'm, sure there are many brands. Try to always steer clear of Hartz. The only good thing they make are hedgehog stuffies!

[Gina]

And any handfeeding formula will work - doesn't have to be Kaytee. Lefaber makes one, I'm, sure there are many brands. Try to always steer clear of Hartz. The only good thing they make are hedgehog stuffies!

Thanks, glad I had not left yet. I am leaving right now for petsmart, praying I am not too late for this baby.

[m&bs mom]

I wish I could help out more. I really think you are doing everything you can. While looking for the exact formula look to see if they have any electrolyte for chicks. I know they make this stuff. It will come in a strip of 3 tiny packets that are hooked together. I think it is called save-a-chick, little yellow chick on the front. Read and see if it is ok for turkeys too.It goes right in their water and really helps chicks that are having a rough start.

Prayers to you that this little one can pull through.

[Fireweed]

Poor little turkey babies...:( :grouphug :grouphug I hope the other one can pull through. I don't know anything about turkeys (except, they are amazing animals :D ). But "not to worry about food"?? That is the strangest thing...

C'mon little turkey, you can do it! :grouphug

Rest in peace, Small One. :Love_Icon

Good luck, Gina...and thanks for trying! :grouphug

[Gina]

I have given little baby a feeding of the bird formula...please keep fingers crossed. It took 7/10ths of a cc.

How much?
How often?

:thankyou everyone for your advise, keep it coming. :Love_Icon

[Gina]

I have looked up how much and how often to feed on the internet but found nothing for baby turkeys or even chickens as they typically will peck/eat on their own. Hooked birds seem to be handfed often and that is only references I can find.

I am afraid to over feed or under feed this baby - and what about water? Does it also need water in addition to formula??

The wild vet said give water every 3 hours - no food (except the turkey starter feed on ground which it does not show interest in)

So far I have fed the baby 2 feedings of the baby bird formula at 3 part water, 1 part formula. Is pretty thick even at that, kind of like baby apple sauce.

It has perked up a little, stands up by itself and a little more curious of surrounding. This is a positive sign so will keep on this schedule until someone with more bird experience can help out. I am still worrried about it as it does not even chirp.

Decided to name it Renly after a character in Game of Thrones (book series).

[Gina]

Hey Gina - a variation on the shiny thing. Once he is standing up on his own, do you have a small hand mirror of some kind? Maybe a hand mirror, maybe an old compact? Sprinkle the food ON THE MIRROR and stick it right under his nose. They ARE facinated with shiny and tend to peck at it and maybe will accidently start eating???

I have both... will put hand mirror in there now that he is standing.

[Gina]

I wish I could help out more. I really think you are doing everything you can. While looking for the exact formula look to see if they have any electrolyte for chicks. I know they make this stuff. It will come in a strip of 3 tiny packets that are hooked together. I think it is called save-a-chick, little yellow chick on the front. Read and see if it is ok for turkeys too.It goes right in their water and really helps chicks that are having a rough start.

Prayers to you that this little one can pull through.


:thankyou Could not find that at Petco or Walmart... What if I make homemade pedialyte?

[Gina]

Poor little turkey babies...:( :grouphug :grouphug I hope the other one can pull through. I don't know anything about turkeys (except, they are amazing animals :D ). But "not to worry about food"?? That is the strangest thing...

C'mon little turkey, you can do it! :grouphug

Rest in peace, Small One. :Love_Icon

Good luck, Gina...and thanks for trying! :grouphug


:wave123 Thank you.... I sure don't know why they said not to worry about the food. I can only assume they know more about the wild turkey system :dono They did say to have the turkey starter crumbles available but they knew neither chick was pecking/eating at all - the very reason I brought them in.

[m&bs mom]

I am not sure about the homemade pedialyte. The stuff that I talked about I think has more vitamins and minerals that some weaker chicks need to jump start them.

I work in a feed store and we keep it in stock this time of year. If you know of any hatcheries in your area, you can contact them. I have personally dealt with 1 that we ordered chicks and turkeys from (Privot I think was the name). Maybe somebody like that could help out.

Just throwing out ideas.

[Gina]

I am not sure about the homemade pedialyte. The stuff that I talked about I think has more vitamins and minerals that some weaker chicks need to jump start them.

I work in a feed store and we keep it in stock this time of year. If you know of any hatcheries in your area, you can contact them. I have personally dealt with 1 that we ordered chicks and turkeys from (Privot I think was the name). Maybe somebody like that could help out.

Just throwing out ideas.

Thank you so much, found it at Tractor Supply, yaay. Should I give it between feedings?

[cbell]

Tractor Supply also has medicated chicken feed

[m&bs mom]

I think that the save-a-chick goes right in the water. Mix one packet with one gallon water (is I remember right). It won't hurt the healthy chicks so I would mix it and take some out just for him and then let the others have the rest.

Is he eating or drinking on his own? I would try to get him to take some of the medicated turkey starter too. Anything at this point I guess.

Bless you for saving this little one! These little guys are the cutest!

[Chickenlegs]

Wish I'd seen this earlier. My farmer friend has turkeys and sez they are very fragile for the first two weeks and then can't kill em with a tractor. Careful regarding medicated feed. I know you can't give it to ducks and the nutrition requirements for turkeys may be very different from the requirements for chickens--as well as the need for medicated feed. Also--my friend does NOT mix turkeys with any other poultry. She sez chickens (for instance) have some pathogens not tolerated by turkeys. I'd hate for the little guy to be alone and whatever the quail might share they already have so hopefully he'll be fine with friends. Also--95 in the brooder is perfect for chickens but don't know about turkeys. If you watch the different birds you'll see very different behaviors even as chicks. I'll check in the morning and if your baby is still with us I'll ask my friend for turkey chick advice. As for the Save-a-chick--is that specifically for ALL chicks? Check online at "Backyard Chickens". I think they have a poultry in general section. Surely somebody there should be able to give you experienced advice. Good luck!

[Gina]

Wish I'd seen this earlier. My farmer friend has turkeys and sez they are very fragile for the first two weeks and then can't kill em with a tractor. Careful regarding medicated feed. I know you can't give it to ducks and the nutrition requirements for turkeys may be very different from the requirements for chickens--as well as the need for medicated feed. Also--my friend does NOT mix turkeys with any other poultry. She sez chickens (for instance) have some pathogens not tolerated by turkeys. I'd hate for the little guy to be alone and whatever the quail might share they already have so hopefully he'll be fine with friends. Also--95 in the brooder is perfect for chickens but don't know about turkeys. If you watch the different birds you'll see very different behaviors even as chicks. I'll check in the morning and if your baby is still with us I'll ask my friend for turkey chick advice. As for the Save-a-chick--is that specifically for ALL chicks? Check online at "Backyard Chickens". I think they have a poultry in general section. Surely somebody there should be able to give you experienced advice. Good luck!

:wave123
Thank you for checking into this with your friend... so far the little one is still here but still not showing interest in pecking the feed or drinking on his own.

I am paranoid about everything I am doing/not doing for him. The bird formula (directions) said can be used for wild birds and he does seem to have perked up a little. BUT, it does make me nervous because I know he needs lots of protien and not sure if this formula has what he needs.
The starter feed that I have for him is specifically for wild turkey poults (also good for guinea and quail). Unfortunately he is not pecking it. I was giving him a mash made with it and water but is so gritty that it sticks in the syringe and then squirts - so aspiration even riskier.
95 in brooder good for turkeys too - each week to be reduced by 5 degrees.
I have raised many baby turkey from hatchlings so am familiar them in general.
I just never had them sick like this. Hoping he makes it through another night.:grouphug

[Gina]

Renly is still with us:Love_Icon

Although he is doing better, I do not think he is out of the woods. One week old today and still not pecking his food or drinking water. I am feeding him every 3 hours by syringe...weakest 3 to 1 ratio he took 6/10th cc's, then 2nd feeding today I upped to 2/1 ratio but gave less - 2/10th's as he resisted. Need help...am I over or under feeding???

He weighs 1 gram.

according to formula directions, bird should eat 10% of weight. I cannot figure out how to convert to proper cc's? Any help? The formula is heavier then squirrel formula - consistant with applesauce if that helps.

[Chickenlegs]

Sounds like you're doing everything right. I did finally get hold of my friend. She said Mana-Pro Game Bird Starter is good or you already have a feed made for baby turkeys. She gives her babies boiled eggs to kick up the protein. If you have to force feed, a recipe from "Starling Talk" that provides everything for a growing baby is: 1 cup soaked dog/cat food: 1/4 cup applesauce: 1 hard boiled egg: Avian vitamins (package dosing): I Tums ground and dissolved with a little water. Sieve the boiled egg and mix all the ingredients till the consistency of oatmeal. The basic "Starling Diet" has everything--including calcium a baby bird needs--also the liquid in the feed most likely will give the little one enough moisture. The starling diet freezes well. Make sure his crop empties before feeding again. Friend (who has raised wild turkeys--hatched a clutch saved from a hay harvester) also said if they are albinos, mama may have let them go because it wasn't worth her energy to raise a baby that wasn't a good genetic investment. Nature is cruel that way. She's had several albinos and none made it. I sincerely hope yours does. Her wild turkeys were wild from day one. Yours may be less crazy--It'd be nice to have a turkey friend. Most likely won't be releasable tho--white is the color of death. As to how much to feed--unlike a baby wild bird. a poult would normally be eating on his own by day 7. I'd guess start with 5% of body weight and feel the crop. If it's still kinda empty a little more. Just don't get the crop impacted. Wait till it's empty to give more--and be sure the crop IS emptying. Hope you have a healthy baby to take pix of soon. I do love turkeys! Wish I could have em.

[Gina]

Sounds like you're doing everything right. I did finally get hold of my friend. She said Mana-Pro Game Bird Starter is good or you already have a feed made for baby turkeys. She gives her babies boiled eggs to kick up the protein. If you have to force feed, a recipe from "Starling Talk" that provides everything for a growing baby is: 1 cup soaked dog/cat food: 1/4 cup applesauce: 1 hard boiled egg: Avian vitamins (package dosing): I Tums ground and dissolved with a little water. Sieve the boiled egg and mix all the ingredients till the consistency of oatmeal. The basic "Starling Diet" has everything--including calcium a baby bird needs--also the liquid in the feed most likely will give the little one enough moisture. The starling diet freezes well. Make sure his crop empties before feeding again. Friend (who has raised wild turkeys--hatched a clutch saved from a hay harvester) also said if they are albinos, mama may have let them go because it wasn't worth her energy to raise a baby that wasn't a good genetic investment. Nature is cruel that way. She's had several albinos and none made it. I sincerely hope yours does. Her wild turkeys were wild from day one. Yours may be less crazy--It'd be nice to have a turkey friend. Most likely won't be releasable tho--white is the color of death. As to how much to feed--unlike a baby wild bird. a poult would normally be eating on his own by day 7. I'd guess start with 5% of body weight and feel the crop. If it's still kinda empty a little more. Just don't get the crop impacted. Wait till it's empty to give more--and be sure the crop IS emptying. Hope you have a healthy baby to take pix of soon. I do love turkeys! Wish I could have em.


:Cry :Cry He died at 5:45 yesterday... just before his feeding and just after our Easter dinner. Just like his sibling, he just went to sleep. No struggling to breathe or apparent discomfort. I am glad that they went gently and at least they are together.
Thank you for finding this recipe, I will keep it as we have many wild turkeys around us. I could not find a thing on the internet regarding wild albino turkeys except for the fact that they are rare. I will not forget these precious and special babies.
It is not likely I will ever see another wild albino baby as we generally do not get to see new turkey babes until they are days old and by then the mother has taken losses already. This momma happened to make her nest in our horse bedding storage area. We were able to peek in on her and when they started hatching were able to observe the new hatchlings. The part of my heart that hurts so much wishes I had never seen them at all but the part that loved them wishes that I could get another chance... go back to last Sunday and take them right away, before the momma rejected them. Before they became so weak.

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

I am so sorry. I know with squirrels, a mother will reject a baby when she detects a congenital issue with them and knows they will not survive. She knew . . .

[Chickenlegs]

I'm so sorry. I bet if anybody could have saved them it would been you. My farmer friend has a suspicion that the little albino turkeys have something else going on that makes them unlikely survival candidates. She has no idea what but suspects that's why mama rejected them and why none of hers survived. I'm so sorry. They came into this world with a purpose--like all of us--guess that purpose was fulfilled and it was time to move on. You were privileged to see something rare and wonderful. Maybe that was their purpose--to give a fleeting moment of joy. Good purpose.

[stosh2010]

ADIOS...Little White Turkey-Bird....
Gina...you loved & cared for him his entire life...that means ALOT
Thank You ---

[Gina]

:grouphug Thank you everyone for your kind words and for all the help and prayers you gave for these little babies. :grouphug


An amazing thing has resulted from this experience....Another albino baby was found Monday about a 1/4 mile from our place. The guy that found him brought him to his neighbor who has chickens and he brought it to me. I could see it was no more then a day or two old with all the same problems as the other two. I called a retired rehabber (recording clearly states DO NOT leave message regarding wildlife & gave other numbers to call) I apologized and was leaving a sobbing message on how I brought the other two to clinic, called & reached out to anyone & everyone and did not want to watch another baby die. She took him in and her many years of experience may save him. Still to soon to say, as tube feeding is needed as he is so thin. She also feels it is either partially or fully blind - a suspicion I had on all three. Praying that he survives, has sight and we can all watch him grow.

She is also going to teach me the ropes on rehabbing with birds as my specialty as we have such a strong need in this area. I am excited to take on this new challenge. I will be starting out with baby possums:D I am sure to be asking for advise once I get my first posum baby. I am more afraid then excited:sanp3 but ready for this new chapter in my life to begin.

[spykitten01]

So sorry you lost these two =( You did everything you could have - Thank you for trying :grouphug RIP little ones...

[Skul]

Sorry I can't help any forthere.
Did turkeys years ago.
Food and water.
Shelter from the sun.
Not much else I can say.

[Jackie in Tampa]

yeah gina...
as sad as it may seem...these birds have lead you to a new path...
to learn from an experienced rehabber is the finest training there is...
nothing better than experience.
possies too!:alright.gif
this is great news..:Love_Icon

I know you felt helpless...
I am so sorry the turkeys did not make it.

[stosh2010]

:grouphug Thank you everyone for your kind words and for all the help and prayers you gave for these little babies. :grouphug


She is also going to teach me the ropes on rehabbing with birds as my specialty as we have such a strong need in this area. I am excited to take on this new challenge. I will be starting out with baby possums:D I am sure to be asking for advise once I get my first posum baby. I am more afraid then excited:sanp3 but ready for this new chapter in my life to begin.
Buena Suerte ! with your NEW JOB Description... "Savior to All" >>>HA !

[mudmaiden]

There is a site called backyardchickens.com...they have a forum..it might be worth posting a question there for some help...prayers are with you

[Gina]

Just thought I would give an update

The 3rd Albino baby is still alive and doing well so far. Still not sure if he will have enough sight to be able to survive on his own but she is giving him all the time he needs. :Love_Icon

She has 2 owls on her property that are raising 5 babies - 3 of them were orphaned and they took them in. Amazing stuff.

I am headed over to her place today to learn how to set a deformed foot of a baby quail (he needs a birdy boot)

I also have to get some advise from her on how to treat my neighbors injured turkey. He has some kind of abscess at the base of his tail and one of his eyes appears infected. This one is domesticated, not a wild one and weighs about 35-40 lbs(according to my hubby who picked him up to help me move him) He is HUGE.

Also have two baby possums now and will be getting a third later on today. They are way softer then I had imagined. They are not cuddly like squirrels and one of them drools :D alot.

[pappy1264]

So glad to hear the this little one is still fighting! You rock! Don't have any turkey experience, but sending prayers and hopefully someone can help your neighbors bird. Have fun with the possies....what a visual, drooling possie!! lol

[andrialilmama]

I do turkeys and chickens every spring. If you have a tractor supply store near you they sell a yellow powder that has all the essentials they need in it. Also contains antibiotics a small amount goes into their water. Please also make sure you have Game Foul feed. You will want starter grower. This is important.... After you dip their beaks into the water touch it to the food so some sticks. Normally it dont take long for them to catch in, :grouphug Good luck :grouphug .Normally the starter heat for them is right at 95 so you are doing good there as they get older move the heat lamp further away so they can begin to acclimate to the temps.:Love_Icon

[SquirrellyMom]

I've never had any game or farm birds that I needed to supplement like this but I still give them the yellow electrolyte stuff from tractor supply from the time they hatch until they are full sized. I have just my one munchkin opposum (oz) right now and they are awesome!! I think if you are good at oppossums then squirrels and most mammals are a breeze. They are the animals that stress me most but in the end they are so worth it.

[Gina]

So glad to hear the this little one is still fighting! You rock! Don't have any turkey experience, but sending prayers and hopefully someone can help your neighbors bird. Have fun with the possies....what a visual, drooling possie!! lol

I wish I could take credit for the albino baby's survival. I hope one day to possess just half the skill of Kathy, the retired rehabber that took him in. When I saw him on Tuesday he was trying to peck at his own feet. A beautiful indicator of sight.:wahoo

Loving the possies, they are so stinkin cute!:D

[Gina]

I do turkeys and chickens every spring. If you have a tractor supply store near you they sell a yellow powder that has all the essentials they need in it. Also contains antibiotics a small amount goes into their water. Please also make sure you have Game Foul feed. You will want starter grower. This is important.... After you dip their beaks into the water touch it to the food so some sticks. Normally it dont take long for them to catch in, :grouphug Good luck :grouphug .Normally the starter heat for them is right at 95 so you are doing good there as they get older move the heat lamp further away so they can begin to acclimate to the temps.:Love_Icon

We have chickens, turkeys and guinea fowl and never had any trouble with the babies but this is the first time we ever encountered albino's. I think we have some of that yellow stuff (tetrocycline?) but only used for sick one's. Will get it out and see if it is still any good, if not will get more and add to everyone's water. Thanks for the advise:thankyou

[Gina]

I've never had any game or farm birds that I needed to supplement like this but I still give them the yellow electrolyte stuff from tractor supply from the time they hatch until they are full sized.

:wave123 Maybe that is the stuff Andria talking about? I have to go there this weekend anyway and will pick some up and get all the babies started. Note, most are wild so I will have to spike all the "community" waterers that we set out for the non wilds (chickens/roosters).


I have just my one munchkin opposum (oz) right now and they are awesome!! I think if you are good at oppossums then squirrels and most mammals are a breeze. They are the animals that stress me most but in the end they are so worth it.

You are so right, they are awesome. The newest one is meaner then the other two and way smaller. How long until they figure out that I am their new momma? :dono None of them like me to pick them up and hold them. They hiss, growl and bite with their lil rubber teeth. :Love_Icon I still love em:Love_Icon but W&G got no worries on competition, at least not yet.:rotfl

[SquirrellyMom]

Mine didn't figure it out ever but I wanted it that way so on release they would be safe since alot of people HATE oppossums.... The little one I have still will hiss if I startle her when I pick her up but she is starting to get to where she knows that I am not going to hurt her and that I always have treats. I have started her with meal worms and she is absolutely smitten for them. I have never seen her so excited for anything. It took about 2 months though for her to calm down to this point.