'Ello Govna

[CliffB]

Alright so we added 3 bourbon red poults to our flock of chickens and ducks about 8 weeks ago. The poults were raised with 4 bantam showgirls so that they would integrate easier into the flock. Well we are now around 8-9 weeks and one of the triplets is getting a noticeably red neck while the other two are staying quite pink. That's not the weird part though. Is it really normal for an 8-9 week old jake(?) to already be trying to mate with the other two hens(?). My chickens didn't even start practicing until 4-6 months old. Thanks for the help turkey lovers.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have never seen a turkey try to mate at that age. The red neck usually indicates it's a young Tom. I personally wouldn't keep your turkeys with your chickens, they could harm them, especially bantams. The one time I brooded chicks and poults the turkeys turned out to be toms and killed a young rooster. Turkeys especially young ones can get pretty rowdy.

 

[CliffB]

They try multiple times a day while i am outside with them. It caught me off guard to see it from such young birds but it is definitely happening. The red necked bird of the 3 gets the other two into a submissive posture then he proceeds to mount them for a few seconds then they are off running around the yard.