A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

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Ok I apologize for saying I think it's funny. I didn't mean it like I think it's funny to see an animal attacking or possibly hurting my son! Elvis is a small rooster and yes I know he can still be dangerous. I was just meaning the sight of such a small bird chasing someone so much larger than it is can be funny to see. But no I don't think it's acceptable behavior AT ALL and have tried to stop it from happening but for whatever reason Elvis doesn't react the same to my son as he does me. So please don't what I said wrong- I would LOVE to hear some ideas on how to get him to stop. Again sorry about what I said I didn't word it correctly and it came off the wrong way.
 
stephcraig78 said:
Ok I apologize for saying I think it's funny. I didn't mean it like I think it's funny to see an animal attacking or possibly hurting my son! Elvis is a small rooster and yes I know he can still be dangerous. I was just meaning the sight of such a small bird chasing someone so much larger than it is can be funny to see. But no I don't think it's acceptable behavior AT ALL and have tried to stop it from happening but for whatever reason Elvis doesn't react the same to my son as he does me. So please don't what I said wrong- I would LOVE to hear some ideas on how to get him to stop. Again sorry about what I said I didn't word it correctly and it came off the wrong way.
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Nice that you clarified that. It did sound as though you were naively thinking it was a funny game of the rooster's. Like children who run around their yard encouraging their herding dog to bite their pant legs. But in reality, both games are a bad habit to encourage.

If it's possible, you should teach your children how to stand up to the rooster and make him back down and respect them, the way you have. If your children aren't capable of that, or the rooster won't accept his lower rank, then for safety's sake, the rooster needs to be rehomed or become soup.
 
Thanks finnie that's what I keep telling him. All I had to do was stomp my foot as I stepped towards the bird and he ran off. He tried jumping at me once more and I did it again and kinda did a quick charge at him only a couple steps towards him and he quickly backed off and went about his business. My son tried it once and Elvis jumped on his pant leg and flapped his wings like crazy. Son shook him off and ran. So I don't know if he can be as assertive as I was. I'm going to go out tonight and have him try again if Elvis feels feisty. Thanks again for the suggestions.
 
A pitcher of water can change a roosters course of action fast too. This is Judy's favorite way to train turkeys to stay off the deck. And we all know how well that works.


I hate to admit it but I have allowed my turkeys to imprint on Judy and I. When I let them out they follow me to the pole barn, I always thought it was for feed or treats, as I do feed them out there some. Today I was in the barn for about 40 minutes and went to the house, (CAN YOU SAYER COLDER THAN A WITCH'S TOE?)

There were only 3 birds outside the coop everyone else was inside. Judy stopped home for a second and ran in the house, when she got in the house most the turkeys were on the deck. This was just minutes after I came in. I then realized they were imprinting on us and not just wanting food. I am sure they did not want Judy to give them a shower today, it was 8 below or so at that time.

It is kind of weird, as I do not go out of my way to imprint them. They are raised in stock tanks and pens until I let them mix and free range with the older ones. JJ is a tolerant, he is as close to a lapper as I get. With Ethel gone I have no turkey to sit and hold for an hour. JJ is just too big to hold that long.

Tonight they were all in the coop except Sidekick who was standing in the door at 2:30. I chased him in and closed the coop door. I then checked for eggs (chicken) there were none. During this time "Snitch" pushed the door open and ran outside so I had to chase his butt back inside. Otherwise I had a good turkey bedtime again!


I do have a couple Chickens that are tolerant to lappers. So we do get to hold birds if we want. Cuddles is a real lapper right now, but I have mixed feelings about a rooster that wants to be held and "cuddled".

If he loses his comb and becomes a breeder instead of a show bird he might lose his desire to be held. Time will tell. Lappers are the most dangerous to people that do not know birds, IMHO.
 
I need a few opinions from you guys. I just read that we have a winter weather advisory for tomorrow (which typically isn't an issue) but it includes a wind chill advisory with chills down to -18. I'm thinking about keeping the turkeys locked in their coop tomorrow. What do you guys think? They don't have a pop door. I just open the big door to their shed to let them out and if I do that, the wind could blow right in (door faces west). The coop is their only shelter from the wind but with the big door open, I'm not sure if it would be enough. What do you guys think?
 
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I have a HUGE screen door to the west on my coop. The wind blows in it all the time. They do go into the rafters though which is above the door. (by Huge door I mean a single car garage door size screen with a small screened man door.

They do fine. 3 of them are outside in the cold all night, It is -4 right now with a good breeze for whatever that makes the windchill.
 
calling for -1 actual and -20 winchills sat night. 1 to 3 inches of snow and possibly 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice.

I will button up coops best I can fri. then it will be up to the birds whether they go in.

only bird I might move inside will be my quail.

other than to throw another log in the outside stove. Probably not going to leave the house.
 
WE have a low of -24 actual temp to look forward too, I have no idea what the wind chill will be, nor do I really want to know.....


Speaking of imprinted roosters., I just came in from watering in the barn. (late night) I went to put Cuddles on his roost, as he was standing at the door. He refused to go on the roost, until I pulled him out of his cage and held him for a few minutes. He laid his head on my shoulder and just enjoyed being cuddled....

When I put him back on his roost he stayed there. I think he thought he would be going without his cuddle for the night.......Maybe I do spoil my birds a tad much. If I could I would bring him into the basement to live until Spring, but I know how that would end up. I would be living outside with him, I am sure.
 

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