Do multiple toms get along?

[Arielle]

In a free range, or almost fee range situation, do multple toms tolerate each other , or should I have only one tom? What situation allows for several?

 

[Denninmi]

I've got 2 toms. They have a few minor skirmishes, but nothing that seems to be a big deal. But, they were hatched and raised together from day 1, so that perhaps makes a difference?

 

[Thomasturkey]

I keep a few dozen adult toms that free range during the day and sleep in the pen at night. First breeding year toms do the most fighting. My older Toms do not fight as much. They seldom fight to the death but they do spend most of the day fighting. The fights are the most active in early spring and lessen as the year goes on. I never have multiple Toms in the breeding pen. Fertility is highest when they do not have the distractions of another male even in sight. I would never just have one tom in case one dies. Having one tom in the breeding pen lets you only breed the best Tom. You also know who the father is to all the eggs you collect from that pen.

Here is a quote from Karl Nester on Natural Mating.

When several toms are placed with the hens, the most dominant toms will do most of the matings. In fact, if too many toms are used, the frequency of mating will actually be reduced because the toms will spend too much time interacting with each other. When natural mating was used for reproduction of commercial turkeys, quite often single tom pens would be used.

The first mating of toms and hens is quite important for turkey fertility. The initial sperm that is deposited during the first mating quite often fertilizes the eggs for several weeks after the mating, even if additional matings occur. It is quite important that the first mating occurs near the time of sexual maturity of females both with natural matings and artificial inseminations.

 

[chicmom]

I'm glad to read this info.....Good to know for future reference, although I have just two turkey poults. And I have no idea if they're males or female or one of each.......

 

[bryan99705]

Got a Idea for you, my 10 BBBs are about 2 months old. They've started strutting and fighting but my wife's young China White goose that shares their pen, runs in between the fighters, separates them, pinches both birds in the butt

and everyone goes back to chasing bugs. A lot of fun to watch

 

[jasonm11]

Quote:

 

[Arielle]

Got a Idea for you, my 10 BBBs are about 2 months old. They've started strutting and fighting but my wife's young China White goose that shares their pen, runs in between the fighters, separates them, pinches both birds in the butt and everyone goes back to chasing bugs. A lot of fun to watch

THanks everyone; terrific ideas.​