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.
The Royal Palm is a heritage turkey breed known for its stately presence, white plumage, and robust size. These unique birds make a stunning addition to small farms and homesteads. But what can you expect from Royal Palms at the rapid growth stage of 3 months old? Let’s explore their development.
Overview of 3 Month Old Royal Palm Turkeys
By 3 months of age Royal Palm poults have left behind the most vulnerable stage of life and entered a period of swift growth. Here’s what to expect
-
Size: Around 2.5 feet tall and 8-14 lbs.
-
Gender Differences Toms develop larger snoods caruncles spurs and body size.
-
Feathers: Full juvenile plumage emerges. Tail and wing feathers fill in.
-
Roosting: Perching begins up to 6 feet high. Still huddle together.
-
Foraging: Increased foraging skills. Can free range successfully.
-
Personality: More independence and wariness. Young toms may start strutting.
-
Shelter: Still appreciate shelter but begin roosting outdoors.
Housing Considerations
The housing needs of Royal Palm turkeys start to change around 3 months old:
-
More space is required as they grow rapidly. Allow 8-10 sq ft per bird.
-
Roosting areas should be provided with rounds or square perches.
-
Allow access to the outdoors in secure outdoor pens.
-
Coop still provides shelter but they may not use it as frequently.
-
Clean litter and replace often as needed with pine shavings.
-
Ensure good ventilation without drafts.
Feed and Water Requirements
The diet of growing Royal Palm poults requires:
-
Game bird ration or turkey starter: free choice.
-
Transition to 16% protein grower feed.
-
Supplement with fruits, veggies, greens, seeds, insects.
-
Medicated feeds prevent disease like coccidiosis.
-
Durable feeders and waterers to limit spills and mess.
-
Refill waterers 2-3 times daily. Keep clean.
-
Grit for digestion, oyster shell for calcium.
Health Management Tips
To keep Royal Palms robust at 3 months:
-
Administer vaccines for fowl pox and other diseases.
-
Deworm using a poultry dewormer like ivermectin.
-
Check for parasites and vent pasting issues.
-
Trim flight feathers to prevent roosting injuries.
-
Monitor for signs of illness and isolate any unwell birds.
-
Predator-proof outdoor pens and coops.
-
Provide adequate roost space to prevent crowding.
What’s Next After 3 Months?
Royal Palm turkeys continue to grow quickly from 3-5 months old. Here’s what’s ahead:
-
Size increases to 30+ lbs for toms and 16+ lbs for hens.
-
Distinct adult coloring and plumage develops.
-
Sexual maturity and breeding behaviors emerge.
-
Feeding, housing and predator considerations continue.
-
Possible relocation of adult toms to prevent aggression.
With the proper diet, housing, and care, Royal Palms will continue to thrive into adulthood. At 3 months, take time to optimize their habitat and management to set them up for success. Then enjoy watching their personalities develop in the months ahead!
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.