Urgent help to safely integrate adult turkeys with adult hens

[MrsNorthie]

Are you talking from experience? I would so love to see them all roaming happily together

We have 37 chickens that I adore and we have 15 turkey poults coming in June, and they will have separate living accommodations. The size of a turkey compared to a chicken, without any hostilities, could lead to accidental death and injury. I wouldn't want to take the risk. Since your turkeys already have murderous intent, I can't see it going how you picture it.

 

[Rachyhen]

When a turkey gets its mind set on doing something, it won't quit until it gets the job done. Your turkeys have it in for your chickens. If you force them to be together, it will end badly for the chickens.

I think I'm beginning to realise that

 

[Rachyhen]

We have 37 chickens that I adore and we have 15 turkey poults coming in June, and they will have separate living accommodations. The size of a turkey compared to a chicken, without any hostilities, could lead to accidental death and injury. I wouldn't want to take the risk. Since your turkeys already have murderous intent, I can't see it going how you picture it.

Sadly, I agree

 

[Rachyhen]

FYI all domestic turkeys are the breed Turkey. You have different varieties of turkeys, not different breeds of turkeys.

My turks used to attack my chickens but after a month having chicken wire between them they were all cool. Mine are still cool with it as long as they arent provoked. It also depends on breed, mine a blue slate/bronze which are mostly docile breeds.

Thank you, this gives me some hope for the future I'm not sure which breed they are .. they are black and not very big! I know little about turkeys ... I just wanted to give them the life they deserve

 

[MrsNorthie]

Sadly, I agree

You can still enjoy their company, just 2 separate spaces and everyone is happy.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Pardon my extreme ignorance, maybe @R2elk can answer this for me, or @Molpet, I know you guys have a lot of experience with turkeys ... but did I not read at some point not to keep turkeys and chickens together because turkeys can get a disease from chickens, something called blackhead, I believe?

 

[Molpet]

Pardon my extreme ignorance, maybe @R2elk can answer this for me, or @Molpet, I know you guys have a lot of experience with turkeys ... but did I not read at some point not to keep turkeys and chickens together because turkeys can get a disease from chickens, something called blackhead, I believe?

Yes if it in the area. Blackhead is not a problem at my place, at least not yet. A wild could always bring in disease.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Yes if it in the area. Blackhead is not a problem at my place, at least not yet. A wild could always bring in disease.

Thank you, I see.

 

[Rachyhen]

Pardon my extreme ignorance, maybe @R2elk can answer this for me, or @Molpet, I know you guys have a lot of experience with turkeys ... but did I not read at some point not to keep turkeys and chickens together because turkeys can get a disease from chickens, something called blackhead, I believe?

Yes, I understand that blackhead can be a concern for turkeys on ground used by chickens. However, I decided the risk to my 2 turkey girls was worth taking as I rescued them a week before slaughter. For now, anyway, they are living their best life and have both just laid their first eggs (the eggs they were never meant to have laid) It has taken them at least 2 weeks to prepare for that big day and I have enjoyed watching their change in character!! My turkey girls are facsinating and adoreable (even if they do want to eat my chickens !!!)