Can Turkeys and chickens live together?????

[suenrob]

I would like to get a couple of turkeys but don't want to build another coop, Can I add a couple of turkeys to my flock of 18 chickens???

I have plenty of room. The coop is divided into 2 sections. One side has 6 laying hens and a roo.
The other side has 11 younger assorted hens and roos. Each side is approx. 10'X12'.

Any advice or suggestions would be much appreciated

 

[Poultryraiser]

They sure can!

 

[pips&peeps]

You will want to make sure you get them from a breeder that is certified or monitored MS and MG free though.

 

[MandyH]

The turkeys are succeptible to a deadly disease called blackhead that they can get from being in with the chickens. Also, a turkey can kill your chickens. I am not saying they WILL, so nobody has to get all upset because their turkeys and chickens live together, but I have had it happen more than once until I got them all separated.

 

[suenrob]

Well, thats 2 yes's and a no, so now I'm not sure what to do.

Anyone else want to comment????????

 

[kstaven]

Besides the potential disease issue. You have to look at the characteristics of the breed itself. Some tend to be more docile than others. Secondly, are you buying young ones or hatching and raising with chicks? This will make a difference in your outcome.

BTW Just wanted to add that I do keep mine together and they range together. Some regions are less prone to blackhead because of climate and soil consistancey. So the risk is greatly reduced.

 

[MandyH]

My turkeys were hatched here, by me WITH chickens. As they got older they realized they were bigger and could beat up on the chickens. As they reach sexual maturity they will also try breeding your hens and will hurt them. Mine are blue slates and are the sweetest things generally. I certainly am not trying to discourage you from getting any because they are great birds, I only wanted you to know about the what ifs, and was relaying MY experience with having them mixed together.

 

[suenrob]

Thanks for all the input so far. It's sounding more like I should have a seperate coop. I was going to get turkeys that are allready a pretty good size. If I can find babies, maybe that would be a better way to go.

I would like to see this thread get a few more responses, so I might give it a Bump from time to time, hope this dosen't annoy anyone.

 

[Chickee's Mom]

I have a pair of BBB, they are young, a year old this spring. I have them in with about 25 chickens. When it was real cold they did help to keep the barn warm. So far they get along with everyone and will have more room when the snow melts and they can free range. They are mating and she is laying eggs.
So far so good.
I have a pair of Nicholas White that are in a separate pen with the bachelor roosters. Same thing for now.

 

[nadams4]

I would check out Storeys guide to raising turkeys

http://search.half.ebay.com/raising-turkeys_W0QQmZbooks

It offers a lot of information on this topic! And suggests that they are kept separate because of the spread of disease. Chickens are more tolerable to certain things that are fatal to turkeys.