Can you keep a lone turkey hen with chickens?

[paigemn]

We had two turkey hens but one unfortunately died earlier this week. It seems like this one is having a hard time without her so far. They were basically tied at the hip. They never went anywhere without each other. The first day without her this hen was calling for her and looking for her outside. It was one of the most heartbreaking things I’ve ever seen.. Now she seems different. Almost like she’s depressed. Are the chickens enough to keep her company? I don’t know how we would get another hen. I can’t find anyone who’s selling any around here. If I buy poults I’d have to get at least 2 or 3 and we don’t have room for that many turkeys. I’m not sure what to do.

 

[R2elk]

We had two turkey hens but one unfortunately died earlier this week. It seems like this one is having a hard time without her so far. They were basically tied at the hip. They never went anywhere without each other. The first day without her this hen was calling for her and looking for her outside. It was one of the most heartbreaking things I’ve ever seen.. Now she seems different. Almost like she’s depressed. Are the chickens enough to keep her company? I don’t know how we would get another hen. I can’t find anyone who’s selling any around here. If I buy poults I’d have to get at least 2 or 3 and we don’t have room for that many turkeys. I’m not sure what to do.

Turkeys can and do get depressed. She would be better off with another turkey to keep her company. Chickens and turkeys do not speak the same language. If you can't find another turkey, you might want to rehome her to a place that has more turkeys.

 

[Nlchicken]

I am a newbe so others may have more advice but I don't see why not. We have a Tom that is close to 2 years old and the first year and a half of his life he was only with chickens.

 

[paigemn]

Most of the people we know who have turkeys raise them for meat. So they’re butchered by now. I have family members who get poults for butchering later. I could have them keep a hen for us but obviously we wouldn’t have her for quite a while since it takes so long to figure out the gender.

 

[Dani4Hedgies]

Paigemn,
Can you tell us where you are at and perhaps someone on here will be close to you that has a hen for adoption.

 

[paigemn]

We’re in Northern Wisconsin

 

[R2elk]

I am a newbe so others may have more advice but I don't see why not. We have a Tom that is close to 2 years old and the first year and a half of his life he was only with chickens.

You have been very lucky. Normally a lone tom with chickens means dead chickens when breeding season rolls around. Most chickens end up as flat chickens when a tom tries to breed them.

 

[duluthralphie]

We’re in Northern Wisconsin

Northern Wi is a huge area... I have some I am trying to get rid of.. I am about 50 north of the cities.

 

[paigemn]

We live in Iron County. So we’re pretty far north. Also I’ve read that about toms. That’s why we’ll only take a hen. I don’t want to risk a tom trying to mate with a chicken.

 

[duluthralphie]

Turkeys really need at least one or two of their own kind around...iron county makes you a near Yupper...