Baby turkeys n Tom

[Brbnred1]

I am expecting my first brood of Bourbon red poults in the next few days. Can anyone tell me if it is ok for the Tom to remain with mom and poults? I am worried he may harm them. thank you

 

[vtfarmer]

We raised about thirty this year with the tom in with the girls. No problems here.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I never allow my toms with the babies and mom. NEVER. I don't trust what they will do or not do. Some people don't have any problems. But for me, it will never happen in this lifetime.

 

[Brbnred1]

Thanks, actually I arrived home from work yesterday and eleven had hatched. One of the poults had fallen out and was running around the tom outside. He seemed to be only protective. It may be a different story from tom to tom?

 

[Brbnred1]

Thanks, actually I arrived home from work yesterday and eleven had hatched. One of the poults had fallen out and was running around the tom outside. He seemed to be only protective. It may be a different story from tom to tom?

 

[kuntrygirl]

Thanks, actually I arrived home from work yesterday and eleven had hatched. One of the poults had fallen out and was running around the tom outside. He seemed to be only protective. It may be a different story from tom to tom?

That is great to know. And yes it probably is. Mine may be ok with it but I won't try it. Better for me to be safe than sorry. Glad that yours is protective. I have way too many toms to but in with my hens. They free range on about 3/4 acres and the hens go into their own area to lay eggs. When the babies are hatched, I moved them to a brooder to be with their babies. I have about 300 animals, so I have to protect the mom and babies from the other animals. You are probably working with a very small scale number of animals compared to what I have.

Good luck with your babies. Post pics.

 

[Brbnred1]

Last year I asked if I could leave my Bourbon Red tom with the hens when they hatched their eggs. I received two or three posts which, I greatly appreciated. I took my chances and left them together. I went in to check on them the morning after they hatched. I walked into the pen and my heart sank as there was not a poult to be seen. I walked closer to the tom sitting on the floor and he stood up, there beneath him were all fifteen babies alive and warm. As many times as I have had to defend myself from him, especially in spring, I am lucky to have such a protective tom to look after the poults.