are toms really mean?

[Dust Bunny]

i have 5 strait run turkey poults coming next month, i already have 1 bbb hen and ive never delt with toms before, but some of the story's I'm reading about sex crazed aggressive toms has me a bit concerned, should i be worried? any advise?

 

[natrgatr]

I only have one Tom and one Jenny, but the Tom is more docile than my roosters. He still rules the whole turkey/chicken world here, but he has never been mean to me, my wife or grandkids.

 

[Sjisty]

My tom was very friendly to me, but he stomped to death one of my favorite chickens, so he ended up cooked. He was delicious!

 

[KOTurkeyRanch]

People say its not a good idea to have 2 toms. I have 2 toms and a hen. That being said, thats a disaster waiting to happen right? No, ive never had an aggression towards me. They strut alot but thats about it. Good luck!

 

[VerlonCox]

Dust Bunny, right now I have 17 toms and a whole passel of hens. I have never had any aggressive behavior from them but I never get "too attached" to my birds either, not that I dont care for and laugh at my birds antics. I think that a lot of the stories that you hear are similar to raising geese. If you raise a gander like a pet he will see you as an equal in my mind. That tiny bit of fear is a good thing, just dont take it too far and jump out of trees in a clown suit...........................that may give your fat toms a heart attack or something!! Good luck on raising those poults and make sure that you monitor the protein intake on those BBB's.
My only concern for you is that you got broad breasted bronze's but if you have the hen you are aware of the problems already. I really doubt that you are in much of a danger zone with a BBB tom after he hits about 5 months regardless.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

I have known a mean tom or two in my life, but I can say I have four right now that are as docile as can be. I don't make pets out of them, but I do work around them often. They puff and strut, but otherwise stay out of my way.

.....Alan.

 

[chickensioux]

Of course they can be but I have 3 toms and no girls and mine are very sweet. I hug mine all the time.

 

[turkey guru]

turkey toms are like roosters, once in a while they get mean, I not talking about dancing ,strutting,drumming. I'am talking about an full on attack, it happens when you turn your back, or with small kids,or unfamilar dogs! NEVER spoil a male breeder, leave them alone, feed/water and hands off! love and hold the hens leave the toms alone! It all starts as fun and games, holding them. hugging them,hand feeding them, then a small child comes to vist, then bang ,cuts, stiches HOPE YOUR home owners is paid up!!! but hey what do I know! good luck tom!!!!!! 10 years turkey farming (25 toms)

 

[sparkles2307]

I'm sure any Tom has the potential to be mean but our toms were always so sweet when I was a kid. It was the hens we had to carry a stick for!

 

[cheeps]

My tom Gobbles is a pooh bear. But then again, I'm not sure he knows he's a turkey, so perhaps he's not a good example!