Hen becoming aggressive

[Gemjar82]

Hi there, my Turkey hen is about 17 months old now but over the last week or so she has been packing partner and my son when they are near her. This is completely unlike her, she is usually quite placid. She is still fine with me, though I hatched them.
Is there any reason for a sudden change in behaviour? We have recently started to lock then away at night after she got a chill from staying out in the rain.
We only have one hen and one tom.

 

[Gemjar82]

Also, just out of interest, what should I be feeding them? They are kelly bronze but will not be used for food but kept long term. As per the breeders we fed grower/finisher then went on to just whole wheat.

 

[ValerieJ]

I know nothing about turkeys, but want to follow along to learn.

 

[R2elk]

Hi there, my Turkey hen is about 17 months old now but over the last week or so she has been packing partner and my son when they are near her. This is completely unlike her, she is usually quite placid. She is still fine with me, though I hatched them.
Is there any reason for a sudden change in behaviour? We have recently started to lock then away at night after she got a chill from staying out in the rain.
We only have one hen and one tom.

She is ready to challenge for a higher position in the pecking order. When poults are imprinted by people when they are very young, they lose thew ability to understand that there is a difference between turkeys and people. Once they become mature enough to want to move up in the pecking order, they will challenge anything or person they consider to be part of their flock.

I highly recommend that you get additional hens for your tom. A tom can become hazardous to the health of a single hen if there is noting else to receive his amorous overtures. I try to keep at least 4 to 5 hens for one tom.

 

[R2elk]

Also, just out of interest, what should I be feeding them? They are kelly bronze but will not be used for food but kept long term. As per the breeders we fed grower/finisher then went on to just whole wheat.

I start my poults out with a 28% protein turkey or game bird starter. Then I switch them to a 24% protein turkey or game bird grower. After that they get the same 20% protein all flock feed as my adults.

Wheat is not a complete feed. On its own it does not have all the vitamins and essential nutrients that a turkey needs. Get a complete feed that is at least 16% protein even if it says it is chicken feed.

 

[Gemjar82]

I'm afraid we just cant have any more. We tried to get another, it was a herritage breed royal palm and the original two were horrible to her and she kept getting into the neighbours garden! I guess another bronze would be the answer but the Tom isnt very amorous!
What about a layers pellet? I will have a look at flock feeder, thank you!

 

[R2elk]

I'm afraid we just cant have any more. We tried to get another, it was a herritage breed royal palm and the original two were horrible to her and she kept getting into the neighbours garden! I guess another bronze would be the answer but the Tom isnt very amorous!
What about a layers pellet? I will have a look at flock feeder, thank you!

Layer pellets are not recommended for male poultry. I fed layer pellets for many years without any problems but I live on a sand dune that does not contain high quantities of calcium like areas with a lot of limestone have.

Turkeys as with all poultry can be very anti toward ones that are of a different color unless they are all raised together. Even then their biases can be seen. At one time I raised Bourbon Reds, Blue Slate and Royal Palms together. Until breeding season, they each kept to their own kind. Of course during breeding season the toms were no different than men when it came to breeding.

 

[Gemjar82]

Ah I see, that makes sense l, I'll stick to their own kind Haha.
I had a wee google for flock feeder but not much came up. Have you a link to the one you use?
Thank you!
Oh and if I did just keep my two would it be a problem? I was going to get her a saddle but he honestly doesn't do it right bless him!

 

[R2elk]

Look for All Flock or Flock Raiser. I am sure the feed available to you is not the same as what is available to me. Here Flock Raiser is Purina's version of an all flock feed. I use an All Flock feed. It isn't the top quality but it was on sale today for $13 for 50 lbs.

I highly recommend a turkey saddle for her. If she goes broody, you need to either separate him from her or make it so she has access to her nest but in a way that he can't get access to her nest.

It is my experience that toms that are poor breeders do not get better at it with age. They are also the ones that unintentionally kill their hens.

 

[Gemjar82]

Kill their hens?? How?