Fighting Turkerys

[MeatKing]

Hi I have 5, one month old turkerys. I don't know what their called, but their white, the common meat ones. This morning I was watching them out the window, and they seemed to be fighting. So I watched for another min. on two. Then it looked like one had it's head stuck in the others mouth.So I went running out, and they stopped and came running. (I'm the treat lady) What's with that? First time raising turkerys, is this normal? They have lots of room, ect. Any imput would be great. Thank-you

 

[Lotsapaints]

Seeing just who is the top tom sometimes they get pretty rough just make sure one doesn't get badly beaten I think they were playing but you never know

 

[thaiturkey]

It's about establishing the pecking order, even if it's play at this age. It can get nasty to watch but you can't stand guard all day. The sooner they get the order sorted out the less injury will be caused.

Have you got an idea of gender yet?

 

[MeatKing]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Yes they do seem to be getting pretty rough.
ThaiTurkey, I have no idea, what the sexes are yet. Kind've funny, but I've never even seen a full grown turkery in "real life" So don't even know what the difference is between male and female. We've just moved to the country a few years ago, and am raising our own food for the beter of our faimly. At this age thougth, it's quite the learing curve. I can tell you, a few of the old men around here, sure get a chuckle out've my ideas/naivenes.
Thank-you again

 

[thaiturkey]

We are new to this too but you do learn fast! Probably it's the stags (males) that are fighting. If you compare one poult with others you might see that some have bigger snoods already and they are the stags. Hen poults, it seems to me, have slightly more delicate facial features than the stags. Stags may already look a little bigger but comparative body size isn't the best guide at one month.

When you know the gender of each one you will need to consider whether you have the right balance of stag to hen.

Good luck with what you're doing!

 

[SaraF]

I have done turkeys for many years, and it was always the males that fought or pecked at each other for the pecking order. The hens are usually at the bottom and dont really fight to be at the top. I have had turkeys get brutal and bloody from some so I'd watch them anyways. My show turkey this year is missing his snood from a fight at that young age so be careful