Can you trust a turkey's judgement?

[BlueMoon]

We have a young tom here, Tommy, who is usually happy to see people and follows them, gently chattering to them. Today, he didn't like our visitors and made an entirely different sound, nearly hysterical, very panicked.

Are turkeys known to be good judges of people?

Am I looking into this too much?

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

I have no clue

That's odd. You'd need to watch him around more people and test it out... Bring a known bad person over and see how he reacts LOL

 

[sred98]

Well, what were your impressions of the people? I know my cat is very friendly, but has outright attacked one person, and tore me up trying to get to another. I got them out of the house ASAP. I absolutely trust his judgment.

I've always said my cat will protect me way before the dogs will!

Shelly

 

[chick4chicks]

I am not sure about your turkey's judgment but animals do have a sixth sense about them. What was your impression of the people? Tell Tommy hi for me.

 

[Mahonri]

Most of the turkeys I have dealt with are about as smart as a box of rocks.

But interesting to see a change in behavior nonetheless.

 

[walkswithdog]

I don't know about a young tom... But in general I'd watch any person animals don't like, there is usually a reason.

Mind you animals often react poorly to people with chemically mediated diseases or epilepsy as well as drug users and bad people.

Our Jake is still too suspicious of new folks to trust his judgement but I would watch anyone he actually freaked at.

 

[chickenchickenbulkbulk]

I really don't think turkeys of any age can judge a person personality or any thing. I have been raising turkeys for a few years now. They each kinda have there own personality. My old Tom turned on me. I was always good to him..he attacked the head that fed him, yes he attacked my head and it hurt.

I was in shock!! All I was doing was feeding him like I did everyday for 2 years. My husband always told me [Honey a turkey is a stupid bird] I have to say..that is all they are..at least from my experience with them. Who knows you may have one of a kind!! Mine are just going to be table food when they grow up. DeeJay

 

[justhatchin]

I don't have any turkeys to really judge this by-- But if chickens-turkeys- can smell- could it be they have/ had dogs or maybe otheranimals scents that would have ruffled its feathers.

 

[LlamaChick]

I have alway's said that if my critters don't aprove of a boyfriend, Bye Bye boyfriend! My critters are very good judge's of bad people! If their is someone with a mental/medical condition they are more loving than they normaly are with strangers!

 

[BlueMoon]

Lots of great ideas, although I don't know if inviting over serial killers to test the theory is one of them, Pineburrowpeeps!

I've noticed many of my animals - dogs, cats, chickens - react strangely to people who are probably on drugs, legal or otherwise. It was just very strange. Thank you for validating that concern, Walkswithdogs.

Also, while they were here, one of the dogs wouldn't stop barking. She's a barker anyway, this was just excessive.

What was my reaction? I tried to remain neutral, but I was ready for them to leave when they arrived. And they do have other animals, which may have ruffled the feathers, Justhatchin. Well put.

Deejay, sounds like you've got yourself a nice turkey dinner soon.

Thank all - Tommy says something I can't spell, but I think it was appreciative.