Darn, I might have to do the "deed"...

[Blisschick]

My tom has been acting kind of aggressive lately. He's taken to pecking at my feet, taking offense to me walking around with buckets, and today he let me know in no uncertain terms that he hates my hubby's tennis shoes...

I went to let him out of a pen he fell into when roosting, and once out, he started pecking at the shoes. I pushed him away, then started walking away, when he jumped me and proceeded to give me a good kick in the back of the leg. He left a big scratch and a bruised calf.

I don't know if it's age, hormones, familiarity with me, or what, but his behavior has gotten progressively worse over the past few months. He's about 1 1/2. The other tom isn't even concerned with me, but then he wasn't hand raised either. If this keeps up, I think he may end up in the freezer, as much as I don't want to do it.

 

[picklespickles]

it was hard for me, too. what really helped me was knowing that i enjoyed being outside and that was ruined by having to constantly watch my back. keep me from reading outdoors on a nice day, and, well, there's not much higher offense than that.

 

[tx_dane_mom]

Hand raising him...man that would be hard, best of luck.
Kristi

 

[Blisschick]

I'm thinking I'll let the hubby do the deed if it must be done. I've butched many a chicken, and had to put some down, but yeah, when I have to dispatch one near and dear to me, it's very hard. I agree with Pickles, though, I'm not going to have one bird spoil the whole outside thing for me and everyone else. At least turkeys aren't as mindless about attacking as roosters. Been there, done that more than once.

Honestly, I didn't feel bad about those.

 

[picklespickles]

makes sense to let him do it since you have a personal connection. there are some of my animals (not chickens, though) that i couldn't kill. would have to give them away or put up a notice that says free and just not ask what happened to them.

good luck

 

[Smitty's Farm]

We will have to do the deed to our Tom turkey "Henry" very soon. He is the sweetest turkey ever. He looks at your with his big sweet eyes. It's so sad. We also hand raised him, so I don't think I can do it. Actually I know I can't do it. We will give him away, so the meat won't be wasted. My daughter is devasted! She wore a shirt on Thanksgiving that said "Save a turkey......eat Tou Fou". It's hard b/c he is a pet and not raised for the meat. He is crippled and doesn't have much quality of life. I'm sorry that your Tom Turkey has become aggressive. I hear that alot of Tom turkeys become aggressive. I can't decide if I'll get more in the spring or not. Good luck! I know it will be hard, but totally understand if it is interfering with hanging out in your yard. You can't live in fear. Those turkey scratches can be deep and vicious, even if they don't mean it.

 

[jkcove08]

We butchered 3 a few days ago, partly due to agression and partly due to the fact that I had 7 toms and only 3 hens. They were mildly agressive and certain things set them off. I have a very large encloser that during breeding season they will have a wing clipped to keep them in, otherwise I let they come out if they can get out. I realize that you dont want to take the feed in a bright red bucket, they dont like that color..lol It is bad enough when they attack thier owners but if they go after some one visiting or a child you could have a real problem, better to end it now then wait for trouble. Good luck. Jenn

 

[Blisschick]

you dont want to take the feed in a bright red bucket

I guess hot pink is out, then? That's what my main feed bucket is, but I have some smaller white ones.

For the record, the tennis shoes are white, but I think they're kind of ugly for guy shoes. Maybe that's what he was upset about.