I haven't had any problems with new birds being accepted whether they are chickens or turkeys. I believe the critical need is for lots of space and numerous hiding places so they can get a break if needed.
A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.
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I haven't had any problems with new birds being accepted whether they are chickens or turkeys. I believe the critical need is for lots of space and numerous hiding places so they can get a break if needed.
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- #4,262
My turkeys and chickens get along fine. However, every time a new one comes in there is a few skirmishes until the pecking order is realigned.
Hen turkeys are not very aggressive, or at least mine aren't.
What kind of white turkey? Are you talking about a broad breasted turkey? Is it HUGE?
justdishy
Chirping
She is the size of a globe/basketball. Makes lots of peeps and is curious about anyone who visits pen. HOUSING is what we need to provide. She is in a livestock pen with igloo doghouse for the next few days. Need secure housing as farm is in a rural area with wildlife. Just want to know what kind of housing is needed, and will she need nestbox for egg laying. What is expectation of bird like this? We have a 4H club so kids are involved.
Welcome to the fun! You will learn very quickly that turkeys are so much more affectionate and silly than chickens. They tend to be sweet and if you spend some time with her, she'll probably come to sit on your lap for some attention. One of my hens gets REALLY excited if you sit down and tap your lap. She'll come RUNNING to hop up lol.
As for housing, for a single turkey, a 15 sq ft house with a 2 x 6 laid flat for a roost is probably about minimum size. You want to give her a good bit of run space. Turkeys LOVE to be outside. They can fly too but if she's a broad breasted, she most likely wouldn't really be able to.
My nest boxes in my coop are just pieces of plywood, leaned against the wall in a corner. Only a few of my girls use them though. You'll find that turkeys do their own thing, not necessarily what you want them to do lol.
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- #4,266
Woah Ralph isn't it passed your bed time
No, I was between bedtimes. I had my evening nap while watching TV, then I got up to shut the Computer off, take my old man pills and go to bed.
That was smart of you to wake up so you could go to bed.
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- #4,268
Justdishy.
Turkeys are not as fussy about their home as chickens.
I build a "turkey house" for mine. Very few use it, Some refuse to go in it. I have never lost an adult bird to a predator, even when they sleep outside. Left to themselves they will find a tree or fence they like to sit on.
Ethel if left to her own would roost with the chickens. She has a couple smaller turkey hens that follow her. Last winter I had 5 birds that never went into a coop or pen. They sat out on the fences, trees or rooftops. I live in a very rural area surrounded by "holy land" ( Federal government wildlife refuge that is illegal to even step in let alone kill a predator in). I have terrible predators, I lost 20 chickens or more last summer to predators. I lost some baby turkeys no adults.
I guess I am trying to say, do not over think what it needs for housing. Locking her up is harder on her than running free is. Turkeys really are social and want to be with people.
I force my turkeys into a covered run now, but that is more to get them use to it for when I have poults. Poults need to be protected until they are nearly fully grown. Things like to eat poults.
Your turkey will follow you like a dog. I let my turkeys out of the pen when it gets light. They explore and do their thing all day. When I step out my door, they come running. It is like 20 little raptor (dinosaurs) running to greet me. If I do not spend enough time outside, they sit on the deck rails and look in the windows to see what I am doing.
Once she learns where home is and who her people are she should stay there. Makes me wonder where she came from and why? How far are your neighbors? Do any of them have turkeys? Are there wild turkeys in the area she could have followed and got lost?
Most of us with turkeys if forced to make a choice between turkeys and chickens would give up chickens.
good luck
Turkeys are not as fussy about their home as chickens.
I build a "turkey house" for mine. Very few use it, Some refuse to go in it. I have never lost an adult bird to a predator, even when they sleep outside. Left to themselves they will find a tree or fence they like to sit on.
Ethel if left to her own would roost with the chickens. She has a couple smaller turkey hens that follow her. Last winter I had 5 birds that never went into a coop or pen. They sat out on the fences, trees or rooftops. I live in a very rural area surrounded by "holy land" ( Federal government wildlife refuge that is illegal to even step in let alone kill a predator in). I have terrible predators, I lost 20 chickens or more last summer to predators. I lost some baby turkeys no adults.
I guess I am trying to say, do not over think what it needs for housing. Locking her up is harder on her than running free is. Turkeys really are social and want to be with people.
I force my turkeys into a covered run now, but that is more to get them use to it for when I have poults. Poults need to be protected until they are nearly fully grown. Things like to eat poults.
Your turkey will follow you like a dog. I let my turkeys out of the pen when it gets light. They explore and do their thing all day. When I step out my door, they come running. It is like 20 little raptor (dinosaurs) running to greet me. If I do not spend enough time outside, they sit on the deck rails and look in the windows to see what I am doing.
Once she learns where home is and who her people are she should stay there. Makes me wonder where she came from and why? How far are your neighbors? Do any of them have turkeys? Are there wild turkeys in the area she could have followed and got lost?
Most of us with turkeys if forced to make a choice between turkeys and chickens would give up chickens.
good luck
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- #4,269
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