How do turkeys interact with other fowl?

[happyfarmer325]

We are introducing one Oregon Grey Tom, one Oregon Grey Hen, and one Auburn Hen into a happy, harmonious flock of 2 Muscovy Drakes, 3 Muscovy Hens, 1 Indian Runner Hen, 1 French Copper Marans Rooster, 1 White Plymouth Rock Hen, and 1 Black Astrolorp Hen - should I have any concerns about breed interaction? I probably did not have to get so specific, but I don't know how different combinations might react to each other.

There were several Toms and Hens penned together where we picked them up, and the turkeys seem docile. We have never had conflicts or issues among our mixed flock here. They will have seperate sleeping quarters if necessary, but will roam the same 3-5 acre area together throughout the day.

I would love advice or reassurance from anyone with experience with mulitple breed flocks!

Also, any other tips on Turkey care are appreciated! We have done research, but the more real-life help we can get, the better!

Thanks!

 

[c0dywhite]

I have had a pair of Bronze-Breasted Turkeys in with my pair of Pekin Ducks & Bantam Hen & I had no problem until one day I went out side & I saw the Tom Turkey on the side of the pool & had the male Pekin Duck by the head, dunking him in the water. I tried to stop him, but he was determined to finish whatever ever it was he intended to to. Finally I got the turkey off of the duck. I think the turkey did this bc a week or so before the hen turkey died bc a hawk broke her back & she died later that same day. I told someone about this innocent & they said it was prob breeding time. I got rid of the turkey the same day bc of the he would do that to the duck, I wondered if he'd turn on me?
Before this happened the Tom followed the ducks everywhere & did what they did. Idk what turned the turkey to do that.
Sorry it peob sounds like I gave you my life story! Haha lol.
I was actually thinking about ordering more turkeys, but when breeding time comes around I will split them in different pens. I have also heard one should never put turkeys with other poultry bc of some disease, but I have not had any prob with that.
Well I hope this helped! Lol

 

[Celie]

On that much property, with so few birds, you should have no trouble as long as blackhead is not prevalent in your area. Blackhead is carried by chickens, even if they do not come down with it and can be deadly to turkeys. I have 27 turkeys running with my 300 chickens, close to 100 ducks and 3 geese! LOL We have only 5 acres and never had any serious issues.

 

[refamat]

Hi All

We have one Bourbon Red tom and two hens, plus a Narragansett and Holland White in about a 1/3 of an acre fenced in with 3 goats, 5 ducks and 10 chickens (there is a coop and fenced yard with Australorps within this pasture. There is a dominant hen who has to let any new bird know who is top hen (ducks do no escape her either, all are "fair game" to her). They all do pretty well together and all roost in the same shed. Nesting is a funny thing, the chickens like the goat feeder (made from a 55 gal plastic drum) to nest in and recently, two of the ducks have been laying in there as well. One of the BR turkey hens lays in the goat house and the other has a little hollow by a stump she like. The Narragansett and Holland White are new to the flock and have not been laying yet.
On Feb 2, 4 BR chicks hatched out and are doing great.

Going to be a fun ha4tching year for us.

Mark n Angela

 

[erinszoo]

We have a mixed flock on 1/4 acre. 5 white holland turkeys, 1 duck, 2 banty roos, 1 big roo, and 16 hens at the moment. They do fine together for the most part. With more space they'd do even better. The only issue we ever get is sometimes the chickens will peck on the turkeys until they bleed. We keep a bottle of blue kote handy to spray on them if it happens. It's strange because it doesn't happen but every once in a while, like once in three or four months, then nothing and then it happens again. We're not sure why they do it but they don't peck on the other chickens, just the turkeys. We did have the odd happening the other day with our tom trying to mate our duck even though he has his own girls but it was just a one off thing and hasn't happened again. You should be fine with all the space you have for them. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[kuntrygirl]

On that much property, with so few birds, you should have no trouble as long as blackhead is not prevalent in your area. Blackhead is carried by chickens, even if they do not come down with it and can be deadly to turkeys. I have 27 turkeys running with my 300 chickens, close to 100 ducks and 3 geese! LOL We have only 5 acres and never had any serious issues.

x2

 

[happyfarmer325]

What can you tell me about Blackhead? The man who sold us the turkeys said he had a problem a few years ago when he started raising them, but it has not been an issue since.

 

[missnu01]

It is a parasite that lives in the soil, is eaten by poultry and then the eggs are left in droppings that will then pass on the parasites to the next bird...turkeys seem to be very susceptible to it. Especially when they are young.

 

[happyfarmer325]

Thank you for all the information and help! This all makes me feel a lot more comfortable about growing our flock. We are on day 3 with the turkeys and all is well. We have a few more additions coming in the next few weeks (some Indian Runners and HOPEFULLY some silkies!) so it is an exciting time.

 

[c0dywhite]

Nice turkeys!