chickens and box turtles

[deborah the silkie]

Ok everyone, so I know chickens have predatory instincts towards smaller animals such as rodents, insects and small reptiles. In anyones experience have chickens caused any harm to reptiles like box turtles? I have three free range roos and an easy to hop into box turtle pen. So my question is will the roos do any harm to the turtles? If so should I find some method to cover the turtles? or just pen up the roos? The turtles have not woken up from hibernation yet.

 

[onecent]

ok lol, i thought i was the only one who had this combo..........with my boxes & chickens & roo, i didnt have any problems, the reason i have the box turtles is, all my friends who go anywhere, if they see a turtle crossing the road, they save it & bring it to me, i have a yard full of them.

 

[ChanceRider]

Add me to the list of people having box turtles and chickens. I've been curious about putting the turtle in with the chickens, but haven't worked up to it yet! I might just build a Turtle Tractor for my lone guy.... had two, but a neighbor stole one.

 

[Umbral_Necropolitan]

Box turtles should be able to pull in their shells if they are bothered, but I wouldn't risk the two interacting. One lucky peck or bite could mean the loss of a pet.

I have eight turtles right now, all live indoors since people steal them if left outdoors. I know my turtles don't have much of an interest in my chick, but if they saw Mist (my chick) hop or move fast they would be interested in doing a taste test... Pretty much what happened when I introduced a toad to them, they were fine with it until it hopped, then it was food.