Head Pecking Activity

[ChickenMack]

So, yesterday I brought home three Naragansett's, one tom and two hens. During the transport home (3 hours) the tom and the larger of the hens start to peck the head of the slightly smaller hen. So I wrapped her up in my sweatshirt and put her in the cab for the duration of the ride. But, as we continued on our journey, the tom starts to peck the head of the other hen. The distress noises were so distressing that I pulled over and, using tie downs, I separated the birds.

When I got home, I put the two hens in the coop and the tom in a cage in the garage- I have another tom, a royal palm, and I just couldn't deal with the fighting yesterday so he is in confinement until I get this head pecking dealt with. Okay, so I put the hens in the coop to start coop training and when I went to check on them mid morning, the little hen was bloody from being pecked at by the other hen. I put them in the yard, and there was no pecking activity- phew, I thought it was over. But, alas, no. As soon as they put themselves to bed, the big one immediately starts to peck the little one. Aargh!

For you experienced turkey keepers, "What the heck is going on in turkey behaviour that they keep pecking the head of this little hen?"

What will stop it? I know with chickens, it will either stop and the pecking order is set or it doesn't and you've got an injured, cowering bird until you either get rid of the bully or the picked on bird. Any thoughts?

I am new to the turkey scene but have kept chickens for years now but any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Or even just reassurance that it will all work out would be welcomed. Thanks!

 

[gatorshark75]

So, yesterday I brought home three Naragansett's, one tom and two hens. During the transport home (3 hours) the tom and the larger of the hens start to peck the head of the slightly smaller hen. So I wrapped her up in my sweatshirt and put her in the cab for the duration of the ride. But, as we continued on our journey, the tom starts to peck the head of the other hen. The distress noises were so distressing that I pulled over and, using tie downs, I separated the birds.

When I got home, I put the two hens in the coop and the tom in a cage in the garage- I have another tom, a royal palm, and I just couldn't deal with the fighting yesterday so he is in confinement until I get this head pecking dealt with. Okay, so I put the hens in the coop to start coop training and when I went to check on them mid morning, the little hen was bloody from being pecked at by the other hen. I put them in the yard, and there was no pecking activity- phew, I thought it was over. But, alas, no. As soon as they put themselves to bed, the big one immediately starts to peck the little one. Aargh!

For you experienced turkey keepers, "What the heck is going on in turkey behaviour that they keep pecking the head of this little hen?"

What will stop it? I know with chickens, it will either stop and the pecking order is set or it doesn't and you've got an injured, cowering bird until you either get rid of the bully or the picked on bird. Any thoughts?

I am new to the turkey scene but have kept chickens for years now but any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Or even just reassurance that it will all work out would be welcomed. Thanks!

some turkey hens are loners and dont want any other hens around them i had one that didn't even want the tom around i had to name her thanksgiving and she was the guest of honor but i had two together with one tom and had no problems at all i guess it just depends on the bird

 

[Megann]

It's natural. Unfortunately. I wouldn't put any injured birds back with each other thought. Wait for the blood to be completely dried and clean, as it draws attention and pecking. You might consider putting them in pens beside each other as they will get used to each other. Do they have a lot of room to roam and get away from each other? When I introduced 2 new hens to my flock, my Tom was in love and my other hens were mean. I have them lots of room and hey have gotten over it.

 

[ChickenMack]

Thank you so much for your answers. As you said, the pecking has subsided as long as they go bed at different times and on different roosts (I have a "ladder" style roost) and I get out early to let them out of the coop in the morning. The hens don't pay much attention to each other while out in the chicken yard, thank goodness. I don't know about these birds.