I hate my turkey!

[RockyToggRanch]

This has been a very unpleasant experience. I bought this adult turkey at an auction. Actually my mother was bidding and I was saying "nooo...that's too much..." Well, I ended up with this god awful creature who was missing all the feathers off his chest. (they've since started coming in). I thought he'd be fine free ranging around the yard with the chickens. First day loose, my 24yr old son comes walking down the road to the barn saying "Thanksgiving's gonna come early if thing doesn't back off!"
He seemed to be after DS shoelaces or something. Well, this has been going on for a few weeks now. He acts like he wants to hang out, but then flogs you. I understand why he was missing all his chest feathers. He must have been launched a few times.

I've tried all of the things that worked with my roosters, but he just seems very dumb. I do believe he's destined for the soup pot. I've seen DH sneaking him extra corn...gotta fatten him up.

No more turkeys for me.

 

[Poupoulles]

Once you eat him you will see the point of having turkeys... mmmmmmm...
Meanwhile maybe he needs some lovin' (from a hen) see if someone nearby has a hen or two to part with.
Or let him be mean, he can be mean the whole way to the oven...

 

[RockyToggRanch]

It will be much easier to do the deed if he's mean, but until then I need an extra hand to carry the turkey stick.

There were wild turkeys lurking at the edge of the yard today. Seem to be calling to him.

 

[paulinaydern]

When my turkey decided he didn't like my son, I made my son the only one responsible for feeding him. The turkey learned to stop charging my son if he wanted to be fed.

Just a thought.

 

[RockyToggRanch]

Oh man, poor kid....

Flashback of mean roo chasing me from the coop...EVERY morning when I was a kid.

 

[gypsy2621]

I dont think I have ever had an aggressive tom to be honest.
the midgets I had were only aggressive to other turkeys.
unfortunately getting from an auction you have no idea why he tirned mean. there could be a good reason.
If he is attacking shoe laces, chances are good he was kicked around a lot.
missing feathers on the chest could be a result of chest banging against the fence to get to the hens, or from trying to fight other males through the fence or from laying down a lot. He may have been bored? hard to say, most turkeys do not self pluck, there is usually something behind the missing chest feathers.

Turkeys are not always the brightest feather dusters in the world but once abused they never forget and tend to react accordingly no matter how well they are treated after.
sorry you are going through this, might be time for some hand to beak feeding if possible.

 

[Lu King]

I am no expert, but sounds like he needs a friend...preferably a girl friend. All of my turkeys are the sweetest things. It is my chickens that are brats.

 

[chickensioux]

I have 3 Toms. One I got as an adult and 2 I raised from poults and all are very sweet. I handle them alot. I can walk up to the 2 I raised and give them big ole hugs.

 

[wlrcad]

I no exactly how u feel! We have a rooster and he always looks sweet and comes when u call except he bites. Its really confusing because sometimes he's a real sweetie but then it's like godzilla visited! LOL

~P&S

 

[chickenzoo]

All my turkeys are friendly............... almost too friendly. It was cute when they were little and would jump on my shoulder..... not so cute now that they are grown. Males normally are missing feathers on their chest from fighting with other males. He may still be wound up from all the fighting. Pen him up if he is that much a bother and is destined for Turkey Day. All mine are pets so I make sure they mind their manners. The biggest problem I have with the Toms is trying to tell them they are Turkeys- not Chickens or ducks- and they should not be humped. LOL Of course I caught my one eyed rooster humping the potbelly boars head - go fiqure.