Two Birds in Pocket are Worth…?
Yesterday I shared photos of Mergatroid in my post One Tiny Turkey. But I didn’t go into much detail about Merggie the turkey’s story. This little turkey poult had trouble hatching, and against my better judgement I helped by carefully removing some of the shell to help out. I’m quite sure that if I hadn’t helped, Merggie wouldn’t have survived and he/she is still pretty weak and underweight. To make matters worse, the little one wasn’t interested in eating or drinking, and would peep constantly if I wasn’t holding it.
A Friend for Merggie
I felt bad that the little poult didn’t have any siblings hatch to keep it company and I was concerned that life would end pretty soon for the weakling. Enter Ozling. A lady offered one free gosling on Craigslist to anyone who wanted it. She said that the barn cats would eat it if no one wanted the poor little thing, and she wasn’t interested in taking care of it. I felt bad for the little gosling and wondered if it would be good company for the turkey poult. The gosling is much bigger than the poult so I was concerned that the size difference could cause problems. I went to pick up the gosling without knowing if this was a good decision or if I was just making more problems for myself and Merggie.
An Odd Couple
But what the heck, the gosling would die if I didn’t pick it up and the poult wasn’t looking too good so I threw caution to the wind and brought home the newly hatched gosling. Ozling the gosling went into the brooder box to keep Merggie the turkey company and the little poult perked up immediately. Merggie mostly seemed interested in pecking at the gosling’s bill, eyes, and toes but things settled down soon and they snuggled together like the best of buds. The size difference is pretty big and they look rather comical together, but I think Merggie and Oz needed each other.
Making Progress
Since Oz joined Merggie in the brooder, the poult has started eating and drinking and is doing much better. Oz took to the food and water with no problems and Merggie is imitating the gosling. The turkey baby is still thin, but I think survival is much more likely for this little guy now. They both peep at me whenever I walk in the room and they like to spend time in the kangaroo pocket of my hoodie. The dogs go nuts when they hear peeping coming from my pockets and I have trouble keeping their noses under control. So far everyone is doing great and I’ll keep you updated on the progress of Merggie and Oz.
Have you ever raised an ‘odd couple?’ How did it all work out?
How cute that Mergy has a brother/sister - isn’t that always the way that a newborn doesn’t do as well unless they have company - no matter what the species! Sounds like already they are good for each other. Another rescue by Aunt Lisa! Wonder what kind of gosling it is? You are going to have a LOT of trouble eating either of these two. I had a batch of chicks and one I had to help out of the shell and probably shouldn’t have as it was very weak and having trouble standing. To keep it warm and not trampled by the other chicks I carried it around all day wrapped in a kleenex in my bra! ( it was nice and warm and I’m rather well endowed so it was very soft and comfy) haha. Unfortunately it only lasted a few hours, but at least I knew I was keeping him warm and safe. I’ve always vowed not to help them out of their shells - but have trouble keeping to that promise when I see them struggling.
Hi Linda,
Merggie spent some time in my cleavage too! They are pretty funny together 🙂 I was so disappointed to only have one start to pip through the shell that I couldn’t help myself. Yeah, I’m not so sure about butchering either of them now. But if they are males, I will have to keep to the original plan. 😉
Just love that second picture of them together! That little guy is all legs! Glad you’re helping out two lonely souls. 🙂
Thanks, Katie!
That’s such a sweet story!
🙂 Thanks, Angie!
So cute!! Hope it continues to go well.
Thank you! 🙂
hope you keep us posted on how they are doing in the future!
I will!
Many years ago, when I was a young, foolish, apartment-dwelling city girl, my sister got a blue duck and I got a purple chicken at Easter. My father was the manager of the apartment complex where we lived so he put up a little brooder in the work/supply shop. Before long, we had a duck and a chicken running around, weeding and fertilizing the flower beds (not to mention picking the flowers), chasing bugs and begging for handouts from the tenants, most of whom were elderly and enjoyed bringing them oats or bread. It became apparent though that the chicken thought it was a duck, when they discovered the swimming pool! The duck would run and jump in the pool … and seconds later, the chicken would join him and we’d be grabbing a net to fish him out. My father finally put his foot down and insisted they had to go. So, my mother, sister and I took them for a long drive, in the country, with the duck and chicken riding in our laps, until we found a farm with ducks and chickens in the yard and an elderly woman snapping peas on the porch. We sat with her (and learned how to snap peas) while Daffy and Jim Bob got acquainted with her very curious flock from inside a wire pet cage that she pulled out from under the porch. She assured us they would be fine as her son would make them a separate, temporary pen when he came in from the field so that they wouldn’t have to be separated before they were ready. She suspected they would do that on their own since they now had others of their own species to run with. Even though we cried most of the way home, we knew they would be happier with others of their own kind.
Hi Leah,
That’s a cute story 🙂 I’m glad that you found a good home for them. How funny that the chicken wanted to go swimming!
I’m glad to hear that Merggie is doing better with company. I guess they’ll catch up in size eventually?
Hi Kathi,
I’ve never had geese before, so I’m not entirely sure. I do know that the Narragansett turkeys are a little on the small side.