Female turkey attacks when I hold other birds...

[KinTiN]

I have a female Broad Breasted White turkey that is about 3 1/2 months old. Within the last week she has started to become aggressive when I'm sitting down to hold the chickens or younger turkeys. The birds typically walk up to me or hop on my lap, so they're not squawking for help or anything of that sort. They just want to hang out. I have a chair out in the run so I can socialize with the birds. This is nothing new, so I'm not sure what has caused the change in the turkey's behavior. She'll approach and start making noises, she'll turn red, and then she'll start attacking whatever bird is on my lap. When I hold my hand up to block her, then she'll start attacking me instead. I can't figure out if she thinks I'm hurting the other birds or if she's jealous. Any thoughts?

 

[R2elk]

I have a female Broad Breasted White turkey that is about 3 1/2 months old. Within the last week she has started to become aggressive when I'm sitting down to hold the chickens or younger turkeys. The birds typically walk up to me or hop on my lap, so they're not squawking for help or anything of that sort. They just want to hang out. I have a chair out in the run so I can socialize with the birds. This is nothing new, so I'm not sure what has caused the change in the turkey's behavior. She'll approach and start making noises, she'll turn red, and then she'll start attacking whatever bird is on my lap. When I hold my hand up to block her, then she'll start attacking me instead. I can't figure out if she thinks I'm hurting the other birds or if she's jealous. Any thoughts?

Sounds like you human imprinted your turkey. Hormones are kicking in and it wants to be the head of the pecking order. The imprinting removed its ability to understand that there is a difference between people and turkeys.

It thinks you are part of the flock