Chickens and turkeys?

[corvettechick]

Hi all. I'm new to the chicken raising and I was just wondering if anyone knew if you could raise chickens and turkeys in the same coop? Not sure if this is a good idea or not, but I was thinking of getting a baby turkey and didn't want to have to build a separate space just for him. Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I kept my turkey and chickens in the same coop, never had a problem. In fact, they just ignored each other, to the turkey the chickens weren't even there. Which is why I would recommend you get at least 2 turkeys. If your situation turns out like mine, your turk may get a little lonely. I also recommend you stop by the turkey section and do some research- as they are quite different from chickens. I enjoyed mine very much, and am sure you will also. Good luck!

 

[exbiologist]

"they" say you're not supposed to do that because of blackhead disease. But, I've known many people to raise chickens and turkeys together and have had no problems.

 

[33yardbirds]

We have a flock of 18 hen turkeys who are frequent visitors to the yard and move through and around our chickens cleaning up any scratch that the chickens don't get, niether gets excited about the other. No toms have shown even though it's Strutting time.

 

[corvettechick]

Thank you all for your replies to my question. Sounds like I shouldn't have a problem raising them together. I think maybe I will get two of them so they are not lonely. Thanks for the tips and advice. It is all very useful.

 

[dsqard]

I just hatched out some turkey poults and some chicks last weekend. This is my first time with poults and I have to say since they imprint, they have been teaching the chicks to come running to my hand when I put it down in the brooder. It is really sweet and the poults like to climb up in your hand so the chicks are starting to do it too. This is going to be the friendliest bunch of chicks that I have raised. I have seen many people on here that allow their chickens and turkeys to mingle. I will probably have a separate area or coop for them but will probably let them free range with the chickens when they get older. I was cautioned by the breeder I got the eggs from that they will need to be kept out of drafts until they are three months old and then after that they are pretty hearty. As far as blackhead is concerned, from the little bit of research I have done so far, the impression I got was that you only had to worry about it if there have been cases in the area that you live in. You are going to love having them, I know I have so far!