How do you pet your turkeys??

[Fluffy_Butt]

Hi All,

Pretty much what the title says; I'm hoping to hear what all your turkeys enjoy/prefer in terms of physical attention. My 4-month olds come running up to me but like to stay juuust out of reach. If I manage to grab one, they're sometimes okay with being held, especially if their feet are on a solid surface (the ground or my lap). They don't really struggle to get away, but they'll squawk like they do when one gets stuck on the wrong side of the fence (don't you love how they just forget they can fly?), which is how I imagine they say "Help! I don't understand what's going on! Help!".

When they're in their coop at night they'll let me stroke their necks or chests for a brief moment before fleeing, but I don't necessarily get the impression that they enjoy it.

So yeah, what kind of attention do your turkeys like?? I just want to snuggle them with those big eyes and doofy faces, but I really don't think that'd go over too well, lol!

 

[R2elk]

Hi All,

Pretty much what the title says; I'm hoping to hear what all your turkeys enjoy/prefer in terms of physical attention. My 4-month olds come running up to me but like to stay juuust out of reach. If I manage to grab one, they're sometimes okay with being held, especially if their feet are on a solid surface (the ground or my lap). They don't really struggle to get away, but they'll squawk like they do when one gets stuck on the wrong side of the fence (don't you love how they just forget they can fly?), which is how I imagine they say "Help! I don't understand what's going on! Help!".

When they're in their coop at night they'll let me stroke their necks or chests for a brief moment before fleeing, but I don't necessarily get the impression that they enjoy it.

So yeah, what kind of attention do your turkeys like?? I just want to snuggle them with those big eyes and doofy faces, but I really don't think that'd go over too well, lol!

I prefer my turkeys to actually be and behave like turkeys. I go out of my way to avoid imprinting them and do not try to pet them.

If you want your turkeys to be pets, do not grab them. Spend time with them and let them come to you. Do not try to pet them when they are molting.

@memphis

 

[Fluffy_Butt]

Thanks! I have heritage breeds that I hope to have for years to come and I love that they follow me and the kids around. I have breakfast with them many mornings and one will jump up to my lap periodically, but the others are skittish. I rarely pick them up (usually just to lift them over the fence) but hear stories about really affectionate turkeys. Maybe someday. I'm just too used to cats that I can win over almost immediately with a few well-placed scratches and rubs.

 

[R2elk]

Thanks! I have heritage breeds that I hope to have for years to come and I love that they follow me and the kids around. I have breakfast with them many mornings and one will jump up to my lap periodically, but the others are skittish. I rarely pick them up (usually just to lift them over the fence) but hear stories about really affectionate turkeys. Maybe someday. I'm just too used to cats that I can win over almost immediately with a few well-placed scratches and rubs.

@memphis has "lappers".

 

[Fluffy_Butt]

Anyone else have pet or "lapper" turkeys? I'd love to hear about them!

 

[yesterDAYNE]

My turkeys are kind of touch and go with cuddling. All of them were hand raised and imprinted on me, and they enjoy being around me. Two of my girls don't really want to be touched at first, but if I'm able to reach out and touch one of them before they run off, they kind of stop and walk towards me and go into a trance and just let me hug and pet and love all over them while falling asleep. It's kind of weird, but I don't complain lol. One of my other girls will sometimes crawl onto my lap or leg and just perch there and let me stroke her. Usually they don't mind me gently stroking their back as long as I don't put a lot of pressure or anything. Sometimes I can get a nice head pet in or a neck scratch. One of my girls only really enjoys letting me pet her when I'm holding her (She's blind in one eye so she's generally skittish otherwise, even though she constantly is in my face).

I'm not sure how easy it will be to tame down older turkeys, as I said, all of my tame ones I raised from egg or young poult. I have one adult female I got at a swap last year who is only now finally starting to get closer to me, but I still can't touch her or anything.

Here's some pics, but only because I alway like posting pictures of my kids haha

 

[Fluffy_Butt]

That's amazing! You have some beautiful birds!

I pre-orderd some poults from Porters so I'll have a chance to learn with a new group next spring. It does seem that how comfortable they are is roughly proportional to old they are when I got them. I've been taking my morning coffee outside (although WI weather may not allow that too much longer), and 5 of 6 come right up next to me and will let me gently touch their backs, especially if I bring treats, lol.

Thanks again for sharing! That's exactly the kind of reply I was hoping for!

 

[angelsandanxiety]

My turkeys are kind of touch and go with cuddling. All of them were hand raised and imprinted on me, and they enjoy being around me. Two of my girls don't really want to be touched at first, but if I'm able to reach out and touch one of them before they run off, they kind of stop and walk towards me and go into a trance and just let me hug and pet and love all over them while falling asleep. It's kind of weird, but I don't complain lol. One of my other girls will sometimes crawl onto my lap or leg and just perch there and let me stroke her. Usually they don't mind me gently stroking their back as long as I don't put a lot of pressure or anything. Sometimes I can get a nice head pet in or a neck scratch. One of my girls only really enjoys letting me pet her when I'm holding her (She's blind in one eye so she's generally skittish otherwise, even though she constantly is in my face).

I'm not sure how easy it will be to tame down older turkeys, as I said, all of my tame ones I raised from egg or young poult. I have one adult female I got at a swap last year who is only now finally starting to get closer to me, but I still can't touch her or anything.

Here's some pics, but only because I alway like posting pictures of my kids haha
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What beautiful birds!

 

[shineandrise]

I don't currently have turkeys, but when I did, the turkey wouldn't sit on my lap. This kind of stuff is like chickens, you just have to spend time with them regularly, let them come to you, and give them treats. In moderation of course. Also, something I learned from somewhere... I don't know the particular source. Turkeys love music, and they love bobbing along with the music, this will make the turkey like you better. I have never really tried putting on music and just dancing with my turkey. LOL But I often sing well I work/feed my chickens, I remember noticing the turkey clucking along sometimes.

 

[angelsandanxiety]

My turkeys are kind of touch and go with cuddling. All of them were hand raised and imprinted on me, and they enjoy being around me. Two of my girls don't really want to be touched at first, but if I'm able to reach out and touch one of them before they run off, they kind of stop and walk towards me and go into a trance and just let me hug and pet and love all over them while falling asleep. It's kind of weird, but I don't complain lol. One of my other girls will sometimes crawl onto my lap or leg and just perch there and let me stroke her. Usually they don't mind me gently stroking their back as long as I don't put a lot of pressure or anything. Sometimes I can get a nice head pet in or a neck scratch. One of my girls only really enjoys letting me pet her when I'm holding her (She's blind in one eye so she's generally skittish otherwise, even though she constantly is in my face).

I'm not sure how easy it will be to tame down older turkeys, as I said, all of my tame ones I raised from egg or young poult. I have one adult female I got at a swap last year who is only now finally starting to get closer to me, but I still can't touch her or anything.

Here's some pics, but only because I alway like posting pictures of my kids haha
View attachment 2362137View attachment 2362138View attachment 2362139View attachment 2362140View attachment 2362141

My own turkeys are mostly anti-pet, but my bourbon red hen is always down to hop up onto my lap for a nap or a pet or an affectionate nip at my fingers or to attempt to destroy the book I’m reading or my phone. I was even able to teach her the commands for up and down.