Co exist??

[michaelf1478]

Wondering if I can put a few turkeys with my chickens? I leave the coops open so they all can free range I the backyard. The yard is roughly a acre and it's fenced in as well. Wanted to ask the experts before I went and purchased anything. Thanks in advance.

 

[sarcasm]

Turkeys can get a disease called blackhead from chickens. You may want to check with feed stores, people who raise turkeys, or your county's ag extension office to see if blackhead is a problem in your area. A couple searches should yield plenty of info about blackhead for you, you can decide if it's worth the risk.
If that's not a concern, you may want to dedicate a coop specifically for the turkeys (though turkeys would generally prefer to roost outside in a tree or something, that's not realistic for a lot of people due to weather and predators). Most people don't have too many issues free-ranging turkeys and chickens together, but they do need their own space.
Turkeys brooded with or by chickens can become confused about what kind of bird they are (or maybe what kinds of birds are turkeys? who knows), and may be a danger to chickens as they mature just due to their relative size and strength. Avoid that kind of confusion on their part, make sure everyone has enough space to get away from aggressive birds, and they'll usually live in relative harmony.

 

[michaelf1478]

Thanks for the info. Never even heard of blackhead, about to check on that now. I've seen several places that have them mixed together around here so hopefully that won't be a issue.

 

[BYChickenAl]

Wondering if I can put a few turkeys with my chickens? I leave the coops open so they all can free range I the backyard. The yard is roughly a acre and it's fenced in as well. Wanted to ask the experts before I went and purchased anything. Thanks in advance.

Many of my friends have chickens and a turkey or two. No issues. I want a turkey!

 

[michaelf1478]

Many of my friends have chickens and a turkey or two. No issues. I want a turkey!

I do to. Never even thought about getting one until I saw a friend of mine had one.

 

[BYChickenAl]

I do to. Never even thought about getting one until I saw a friend of mine had one.

I'm told turkey eggs are very good and the birds my friends have are docile. I'd also like to have a peacock or two.

 

[michaelf1478]

I'm told turkey eggs are very good and the birds my friends have are docile. I'd also like to have a peacock or two.

I have never tried a turkey egg. Just put that on my bucket list!!