Baby Turkeys with Chickens

[louisebarnhill]

When and how should I introduce my four- three week old turkeys to my chickens. My chickens are three years old and have never had babies and I have one 12 month old male turkey with my two chickens. I hatched out for baby turkeys three weeks ago and would like to put them with everybody in the coop and they free range during the day. When and how is a good time to introduce them. Thank you

 

[nchls school]

When and how should I introduce my four- three week old turkeys to my chickens. My chickens are three years old and have never had babies and I have one 12 month old male turkey with my two chickens. I hatched out for baby turkeys three weeks ago and would like to put them with everybody in the coop and they free range during the day. When and how is a good time to introduce them. Thank you

I would put the poults in a cage/pen where the other birds can see them for a at least a week. Beware free ranging young poults. This morning I looked out the window in time to see a very upset hen as a hawk made of with one of her nine day old poults. Mine will go into a covered cage today. Consider keeping yours safe until they are big enough to not attract hawks.

 

[Bo Garrett]

Introducing three week old poults to adult birds is a recipe for disaster! They will kill them because despite all their beauty chickens are not the brightest creatures and will show no compassion or mercy just because they are babies. Pen them separately until they are big enough to defend themselves.

Blessings,

Bo