First poult ever-I have a few questions!

[lady feathers]

Hello, I just got my first poult ever- wan't planning on getting turkeys cause I have quite alot of chickens this year roughly 87 or so, and have heard stories of blackhead disease....but, I was at TSC today and saw one little poult who was getting attacked by 5 others at its rear-end and it was covered in blood. I told the workers about it so they could seperate it from the others. They did and sprayed it's bum with blukote. I asked the guy who was working on it if they would drop the price on this one damaged poult and he said I coul have it FREE! Needless to say it came home with us!

My questions are: 1- does it need to have a buddy or can they do just fine alone? 2- I am planning on seperating this poult from my chickens by about 150 ft and planning on placing the lone poult in a run that has a secondary fence around it to keep my handful of free-range chickens from coming into contact with it at all.... is this enough of a barrier? The chickens don't ever use the part of the yard that I am planning on making "turkeyland", and as far as I have seen have never been in it. 3- Also, how much space is required inside and outside for this poult to be happy in as an adult. (If it makes any difference he/she is a "white" turkey according to the employees at TSC.

Thanks, any others pointers for a first-time turkey owner would be great!

 

[mamawolf544]

I have always housed my turkey's and chickens together and I have never had a problem. I'm not saying you could not get one.

But I think the little guy will be lonely so you should atleast leave them a buddy. I brood mine together all the time with no problems. And when they are not in breeding pens they free range together.

 

[ColbyNTX]

If its a white turkey from TSC then is more than likely a broad breasted white and you can plan on eating it in the next 4-6 months so a big space in the yard won't be needed. Blackhead is only problems in some areas and most of us have no problems letting turkeys and chickens range togather. It will do just fine by itself just make sure it is eating and drinking.

 

[lady feathers]

Thank you both for your quick responses.... I couldn't stand it and already went an got it a buddy (another broad brested white). Thanks for your input glad to hear I don't have to be paranoid about these two with my chickens!