GUESS WHAT!!!!

[Chickensandhorsesforlife]

Ok, so my friend has a domestic turkey show up at her house. They had a home, but they backed out. So of course , we are taking him.
He is a very sweet tom, and we are so exited to have him. I am pasting here to ask for any tips, facts , or pointers from other people that have turkeys. I have never had a turkey, so any tips appreciated

 

[sourland]

You may need to separate him from your chicken hens. Due to their size toms can crush/kill chicken hens when trying to mate them.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

@sourland is right, poor hens won't see it coming. Also, I have a question, do turkeys have eyes? I'm sure they do, but of all the turkeys I've seen in my life, I've never seen their eyes...

 

[Chickensandhorsesforlife]

We are housing seperately, so he will not mate the hens

 

[R2elk]

We are housing separately, so he will not mate the hens

Try to find some turkey hens to keep him company. They are a flock bird and do best with others of their own kind for company.

 

[sourland]

Yep, they have little, squinty eyes.

 

[gimmie birdies]

My tom never tried to mate my hens, but he did have a girl turkey. I raised a bantam with my tom, and he thought she was his baby. He would protect her from mean hens and she used to stand between his legs.

 

[R2elk]

Yep, they have little, squinty eyes.

Really?

 

[sourland]

Well, I knew that you would have 'wide eyed' turkeys.

 

[Chickensandhorsesforlife]

Ok. I caught the turkey. we had to run a LOT. He is so fast. he is a little skittish, but if you go slow, he will let you hold him. We named him Murphy, and we are in love with him. He is definately in his first year. He is a Burbon Red jake, and he was in his coop for the first time last night. He was nervous, but now he loves it