Adding turkeys to our chicken flock

[Isyovi]

We are planning to add turkeys to our chicken flock next spring, but we don't know how. Is it best to have younger turkeys so they can grow up with our chickens or do we just put adults between them? We have 3 roosters so we are kind of anxious of how that will go. All three of them are real sweethearts but you never know.

 

[R2elk]

We are planning to add turkeys to our chicken flock next spring, but we don't know how. Is it best to have younger turkeys so they can grow up with our chickens or do we just put adults between them? We have 3 roosters so we are kind of anxious of how that will go. All three of them are real sweethearts but you never know.

If you add poults, it is best to brood them separately from chickens. They imprint very easily. Imprinting removes their ability to understand that chickens are not the same as they are. This can lead to turkeys that treat chickens the same as they treat each other. Due to the size difference, this can be harmful to the chickens.

If you live where blackhead is a problem, do not keep chickens and turkeys together. Blackhead can be a death sentence to the chickens.

Turkeys need a lot more room than chickens need.

 

[Isyovi]

If you add poults, it is best to brood them separately from chickens. They imprint very easily. Imprinting removes their ability to understand that chickens are not the same as they are. This can lead to turkeys that treat chickens the same as they treat each other. Due to the size difference, this can be harmful to the chickens.

If you live where blackhead is a problem, do not keep chickens and turkeys together. Blackhead can be a death sentence to the chickens.

Turkeys need a lot more room than chickens need.

Blackhead does sound like a problem to me. Are there any things you can do to prevent it? We wanted a seperate coop for the turkeys anyways but maybe that helps. We have someone we know who keeps chickens, turkeys and guinea fowl together but we never heard him talk about it. We have a lot of space for the chickens alone so that is why we wanted to add something new ☺

 

[R2elk]

Blackhead does sound like a problem to me. Are there any things you can do to prevent it? We wanted a separate coop for the turkeys anyways but maybe that helps. We have someone we know who keeps chickens, turkeys and guinea fowl together but we never heard him talk about it. We have a lot of space for the chickens alone so that is why we wanted to add something new ☺

Blackhead is not an issue everywhere. If it is an issue, the turkeys need to be kept off of areas where the chickens are or have been.