I’m thinking of adopting a bonded pair ( young turkey and chicken) from the humane society, looking for advice about housing before I make a decision.

[Hanusaur]

Our local humane society has a young turkey and chicken. They are a bonded pair. We already have 3 hens. I only have until 5PM today (4 hours from now) to make a decision before the humane society closes - and the birds are set to go to a sanctuary in the morning. So the staff at the humane society said it’s “fate” that I came to see them today, lol.
So I’m thinking a big tom turkey would be great Hawk repellant for my chickens - we have lots of hawks here and we already lost one hen to a Hawk last year. I’m just wondering how I should set up the coop/run to accommodate him when he’s grown. The coop door is not currently big enough for a full grown turkey to enter - although we could cut it bigger. But I also read that turkeys are okay with sleeping in outdoor enclosures on a roost. Our run is very sturdy, roofed, with a giant tree growing over it for added weather protection, and it’s very predator proof, so I thought maybe he would sleep on a roost in the run rather than in the coop - as I’m also wondering if it might get a little too cramped inside the coop with a big ol turkey. So my question is, would it be okay for him sleep in the run if I set up a nice cozy roost for him? Or would he want to sleep with the chickens inside the coop?

 

[R2elk]

Our local humane society has a young turkey and chicken. They are a bonded pair. We already have 3 hens. I only have until 5PM today (4 hours from now) to make a decision before the humane society closes - and the birds are set to go to a sanctuary in the morning. So the staff at the humane society said it’s “fate” that I came to see them today, lol.
So I’m thinking a big tom turkey would be great Hawk repellant for my chickens - we have lots of hawks here and we already lost one hen to a Hawk last year. I’m just wondering how I should set up the coop/run to accommodate him when he’s grown. The coop door is not currently big enough for a full grown turkey to enter - although we could cut it bigger. But I also read that turkeys are okay with sleeping in outdoor enclosures on a roost. Our run is very sturdy, roofed, with a tree over top for added weather protection, and it’s very predator proof, so I thought maybe he would sleep on a roost in the run rather than in the coop - as I’m also wondering if it might get a little too cramped inside the coop with a big ol turkey. So my question is, would it be okay for him sleep in the run if I set up a nice cozy roost for him? Or would he want to sleep with the chickens inside the coop?

Let them go to the sanctuary. If the turkey is a tom and you don't get it turkey hens, it will eventually kill your chickens by trying to breed them.

Turkeys are very social birds and should be with other turkeys.

 

[sourland]

A tom turkey in a chicken flock without turkey hens is not a good idea. It may very well result in injury or death to the chicken hens because of attempted mating.

 

[Molpet]

I agree with above. Turkeys need turkeys and I have had chickens squashed by turkeys. First ones I had were Best buds with a chicken they grew up with. .... Until I found the jake breaking the chickens back. I had to put the chicken down and did in the jake too.

 

[Hanusaur]

A tom turkey in a chicken flock without turkey hens is not a good idea. It may very well result in injury or death to the chicken hens because of attempted mating.

Oh okay, that makes sense. Thank you for the reply.

 

[Hanusaur]

I agree with above. Turkeys need turkeys and I have had chickens squashed by turkeys. First ones I had were Best buds with a chicken they grew up with. .... Until I found the jake breaking the chickens back. I had to put the chicken down and did in the jake too.

Okay, thank you for the reply. I’ll let them go to the sanctuary

 

[Isadora]

Okay, thank you for the reply. I’ll let them go to the sanctuary

Thank you for being willing to do what's best for the animals.

 

[Hanusaur]

Thank you for being willing to do what's best for the animals.

Their comfort always comes first