Can you have both free range turkeys and chickens?

[pandaz]

I remember years ago,when I had a couple of turkeys that people said they would die of blackhead since I had chickens.Well, the turkeys did die but of old age,so doubt the chickens contributed to that.These were adults when I got them though. This spring I will get my chicks and after they have moved outside, get my baby turkeys. I have ten adult hens,the chicks I get will be for meat so will be in the freezer by fall.I would like any advice about raising the turkey poults and if I do need to take precautions for blackhead.My hens and the meat chickens have access to my whole property which is 40 acres and so will the turkeys when old enough.I do not plan on housing them together,still trying to decide what will be best for the turkeys,so please advise on that too.Thanks!!

 

[Marlinchaser]

Mine range together, and some do try to roost in with the chickens. Blackhead has to be present to be given to your turkeys. I would assume if you raised others with no problems it is not present.

I house mine(except 2 that think they should be in with the chickens) in what looks like a regular chicken coop with a slightly larger door. They roost on a 2x4 same as chickens. I dont feed or water turkeys in thier coop(chickens do get feed in thiers) feeder is under coop, and waterer is just outside of it.

What type of turkeys are you planning on, the BB's tend to not live as long and have heath issues from thier quick growth.

 

[pandaz]

Thanks for response! I plan on having heritage turkeys,still undecided on what breed as there are so many to choose from.From my reading,it seems you can pretty much choose them by what color appeals most?

 

[melody123]

I used to try to keep my turkeys and chickens seperate, but they refused to cooperate. They started breaking in with the chicken chicks when they were 2 weeks old, and continued into adulthood. It didn't matter if I sold all the chickens from their pen, they would find other chickens and move in with them.

Now I have them with my aracauana chickens and they are happy and doing fine. The turkeys protect the chickens and they all sleep, eat, and hang out together. Now one of my hen tukeys is starting to lay eggs in the chicken nest.

Hopefully I will have baby tukeys soon.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

I've always kept turkeys & chickens together. The turkeys are great protectors from hawks.I've never dealt with blackhead.

 

[pdpatch]

Things like blackhead only effect Turkeys if it is present in the soil or is brought into your turkey area.

Yes turkeys can spot a hawk or eagle much further away then chickens can and sound an alert. The chickens will pick this up and go hide if they are close enough to hear the alert.

It actually depends on the disposition of the chickens and turkeys involved. We have a few Red Sex links who liked to pick on the turkeys. That is until the turkeys get fed up enough and go after the red sex links. Then the Red Sex links back off for a while, then they are at it again.

The biggest problem we have had with any sort of free ranging is the Turkeys like to wander off further then the chickens looking for things to eat.
The furtherest we found them is about 1/4 mile away. So now we have supervised free ranging.

Tom

 

[caddyeldorado2006]

i keep my turkeys and chickens together. i worm my chickens differently then my turkeys. Turkeys need the cow pour on for their diseases and chickens i also buy something different like the wazine. both turkeys and chickens can drink the water and this can be effective. The chicks and turks will learn to be around one another if you raise them together. my girls hens of chickens they get along just fine with the two turkeys i bought one hen and one gob

 

[chickenzoo]

I never had a problem with black head until this week and mine have been free ranging for a few years. Worm your flock with Safeguard or Levasol(sp) to keep cecal worms that cause blackhead at bay. Also it would be wise to keep on hand some Fish-zole, just in case. It is for fish but the ingredient fights blackhead, that affects the liver etc. and kills it off. My turkey is doing much better now that he has been on it for 3 days. My flock still free ranges, I just keep stuff on hand to treat if anything pops up.....

 

[pandaz]

Can you tell me how you worm them? Do you do it individually or put it in the water? How often and at what dosage?Thanks!