Jake Harper
Raising wild turkey chicks is a challenging but rewarding endeavour. It is important to note that it is illegal to capture and keep wild birds, and they should only be taken in if they are injured and in need of rehabilitation. When raising turkey chicks, it is crucial to provide them with a warm and protected environment, especially during their first few weeks. A brooder space with adequate air circulation and large wood shavings to absorb water and reduce respiratory infections is essential. Turkey chicks require a high-protein diet, and their feed should be supplemented with grit to aid in food grinding due to their lack of teeth. It is also important to monitor their water intake and ensure it is provided in a safe and clean manner. Social interaction is vital for turkey chicks, as they are flock creatures, and integration with chickens can be beneficial if proper sanitation is maintained.
How to Care for a Wild Turkey Chick
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet | High-protein diet, including game bird food or turkey starter feed with at least 26-30% protein. |
| Water | Dip their beaks in the water dish so they know where to drink. Use a waterer on an elevated, non-slip surface to prevent scratching litter into the water. |
| Temperature | Brooder temperature should be 95-100° Fahrenheit for the first week, then drop by five degrees each week until they are 6 weeks old. |
| Health | Susceptible to respiratory infections and Aspergillosis ("brooder pneumonia"). Diarrhea and vent pasting are common problems caused by a cold brooder. |
| Social Interaction | Should not be kept alone, as they are social flock creatures. Can be integrated with chickens to learn eating and drinking behaviors. |
| Outdoor Access | Should be kept warm and protected from drafts until fully feathered (around 6-8 weeks). Supervised outdoor access may be possible before this age if the weather is warm and calm. |
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What You'll Learn
Provide a high-protein diet, like a game bird and turkey starter feed
Wild turkey chicks require a diet that is high in protein. Purina's Game Bird 30% Protein Starter Crumbles are a convenient way to provide the protein and specific nutrients that young birds require to grow into healthy adults. This feed is specifically formulated for pheasants, quail, chukars, guinea fowl, and other exotic game birds from 0-6 weeks or turkeys 0-8 weeks of age. It is supplemented with Vitamin C to aid birds during periods of heat stress.
If you are unable to source the Purina feed, an alternative is Kruse's Perfection Brand Starter Mash Gamebird Turkey Food, which also contains 30% protein. This feed is designed for chick/juvenile gamebirds and turkey chicks up to about 8 weeks old. It is in mash form, making it easier for young birds to eat.
It is important to note that wild turkeys require a higher protein intake than domesticated turkeys, so a typical chick starter feed may not be sufficient. If you are unable to source a game bird and turkey starter feed, you may need to supplement a typical chick starter feed with additional protein. Brewer's yeast can be added to the feed at a ratio of 2 to 3 cups per 10 pounds of starter food.
However, some caregivers have reported that their turkey chicks grew into happy and healthy adults without any additional protein or niacin supplements. Additionally, studies have shown that lower protein diets for turkey chicks do not inhibit their growth. Nevertheless, it is always best to consult with a veterinarian or wildlife rehabilitator to ensure that you are meeting the specific nutritional needs of your wild turkey chick.
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Keep chicks warm and protected from drafts until they are fully feathered
It is important to keep wild turkey chicks warm and protected from drafts until they are fully feathered, which usually occurs around 6-8 weeks of age. During this time, they are more susceptible to cold temperatures and respiratory issues than baby chicks, so extra precautions are necessary.
To ensure adequate warmth, start by setting the brooder temperature to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) for the first week of their lives. This can be achieved using a heat lamp, an infrared bulb, or a radiant heater like the EcoGlo from Brinsea. If using a heat lamp, maintain a distance of at least 18 inches from the ground to prevent overheating or accidental pecking at the lamp. Additionally, red-tinted heat lamps are preferred over clear lamps as they provide the necessary warmth while respecting the poults' need for 8 to 10 hours of darkness.
Gradually decrease the temperature by 5 degrees each week until the chicks are fully feathered. Observe their behavior to determine their comfort level. If they crowd away from the heat source, it may be too hot, whereas if they huddle together, they are likely seeking more warmth. Adjust the heat source accordingly to ensure their comfort.
To protect the chicks from drafts, create a temporary enclosure or brooder using a plastic tote, stock tank, wooden box, cardboard box, or swimming pool with solid sides. Ensure that the brooder is spacious enough to provide adequate airflow while also retaining warmth. Additionally, keep the bedding fresh and dry, using materials like pine shavings that are large enough to prevent ingestion by the chicks.
If the weather is warm and calm, you may introduce healthy turkey chicks to supervised outdoor environments before they are fully feathered. However, be cautious about the outdoor spaces you choose, as turkey chicks are susceptible to disease spread from areas previously accessed by wild birds or other avian residents.
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Ensure good sanitation and disease prevention
Sanitation and disease prevention are crucial when caring for a wild turkey chick. Wild turkey chicks are susceptible to various diseases, including blackhead disease, transmitted by chickens, and coccidiosis, a protozoan infestation. To ensure good sanitation and minimize disease risk, maintain a clean and dry environment for the chick, and separate them from adult poultry and wild birds. Avoid providing water in an open dish, as poults can track droppings and spilled feed through it, inviting disease. Instead, use a waterer placed on a non-slip elevated surface, such as a wire platform, and increase its height as the chick grows.
To prevent coccidiosis, specifically, ensure clean, dry litter by avoiding damp spots caused by spilled water. Additionally, do not allow poults to range on land previously inhabited by adult poultry. If coccidiosis occurs, note that antibiotics are ineffective, and specific sulfa drugs like Sulmet are required for treatment.
Another disease to be aware of is aspergillosis, also known as "brooder pneumonia," caused by a fungus. While this disease is not contagious, it can affect turkeys with weakened immune systems. Therefore, maintaining good sanitation practices and minimizing stress for your wild turkey chick can help prevent this disease.
When it comes to diet, which is also essential for disease prevention, wild turkey chicks require a high-protein diet, with at least 28% protein in their starter feed. You can use chick starter, but it should be supplemented with additional protein sources such as brewer's yeast or game bird starter mash/crumbles. Additionally, ensure that the chick has access to grit, which helps them grind their food since they do not have teeth. You can provide small rocks or coarse sand as a source of grit. However, avoid oyster shells or other forms of calcium, as excess calcium can be detrimental to poults.
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Provide a brooder space of about one square foot per chick
If you're taking care of a wild turkey chick, it's important to provide adequate brooder space—about one square foot per chick. This space allowance is crucial for proper air circulation, which helps keep the litter dry and reduces the risk of respiratory infections.
When setting up the brooder area, opt for large wood shavings as litter. Wood shavings are excellent at absorbing water and producing minimal dust, thus promoting a healthier environment for the chick. Additionally, ensure the brooder temperature is suitable. For the first week, set the temperature at 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Afterward, gradually decrease the temperature by five degrees each week until the chick is 6 weeks old. Observe the chick's behavior to fine-tune the temperature: if they crowd together, it's too cold; if they pant or extend their wings, it's too hot.
The brooder setup should also include a heat lamp placed at least 18 inches from the ground. Adjust the lamp's height as the chick grows to prevent overheating or accidental pecking at the light source. Start with a temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and maintain consistency, as turkey chicks are delicate.
In addition to space and temperature management, proper hydration and nutrition are vital. Provide water in a quart-sized chick fount for up to five chicks, and use a gallon fount for larger groups or older birds. Always place the waterer on a non-slip elevated surface, and increase its height as the chicks grow. To prevent accidental drowning, place marbles in the water dish for the first few weeks.
Regarding nutrition, turkey chicks require a high-protein diet. Feed them a starter feed of at least 28% protein until they are 8 weeks old. After that, transition to a diet of 24-26% protein until they reach approximately 6 months of age.
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Reintroduce water slowly if chicks go without it
If wild turkey chicks go without water, it is important to slowly reintroduce it to them. Turkey chicks are susceptible to dehydration and overheating, so it is crucial to ensure they have access to water at all times. However, as young turkeys do not have a lot of coordination and balance, they might accidentally fall into an open water dish and drown. Therefore, it is recommended to use chick fountains or shallow water dishes with rocks or marbles to prevent drowning.
When reintroducing water to dehydrated chicks, start by slowly offering small amounts of water at a time. You can dip their beaks into the water to encourage them to drink and show them where to find water. It is important to monitor their water intake and gradually increase the amount available as they rehydrate.
In addition to rehydration, it is crucial to address the underlying causes of dehydration. Dehydration in turkey chicks can be caused by overheating or illness. Ensure that the brooder temperature is appropriate for their age and adjust it if they appear too hot or too cold. Provide adequate ventilation and avoid drafts to maintain a comfortable environment.
If you suspect the chick is ill, separate it from other birds and contact a veterinarian or wildlife rehabilitator. Dehydration can be a symptom of various health issues, so it is important to seek professional advice to ensure the chick receives proper care.
Overall, providing turkey chicks with consistent access to clean, fresh water is essential for their health and well-being. By slowly reintroducing water and ensuring their living environment is comfortable and disease-free, you can help them stay hydrated and healthy.
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