inew to turkeys - questions???

[Sandrachx]

we have six, 6-week old turkeys that we have raised since birth. we moved them to a 6x6 outdoor dog pen 2 weeks ago. the pen has a 3-sided wood enclosure (think nativity) and we have 3 roosting poles stationed within the fenced area.

- do i need to replenish bedding for them inside the nativity enclosure?
- how many should be in that size fenced area as they grow?
- DH wants to let them free range when they get older - how old is "older"?
- will they come back to the fenced area on their own?
- can they be put in a fenced area that also has sheep? (50x25 feet)
- noticed some neck curling the other day - is that a pre-dominance ritual?
- when will they make gobble noises? we heard one last night but thought it was a wild one in the woods

any help/answers greatly appreciated!

 

[miss_jayne]

replenish bedding as needed...scoop out soiled bedding, wet bedding etc.

mine free range and do not wander away and come back to the coop at dusk.

i would put them in with sheep. why not!

they will gobble when they are 'big' boys. about 20'ish weeks old.

those are the answers i could answer for you.

p.s. howdy neighbor from Columbiaville!

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

When you first put them outside make sure they stay dry. If they are roosting they won't need any bedding, we use sand in the bottom of our grow out pens. 6 poults will outgrow that dog pen pretty quick. Old enough to free range you are probably looking at 5 months, they need to get some size on them or they will be an easy mark for a predator.

Steve in NC

 

[pdpatch]

seems like this one was missed

- noticed some neck curling the other day - is that a pre-dominance ritual?

This is a dominance thing, they will do it as long as there is more then one males, but females will to.


When completely free ranging yes you do need to let them get older to be safer. Mostly so they can defend them selves.

You have to learn what preditors are in your area,

Around here we have lots of preditors so we have supervised free ranging. But that is not always safe , if the preditor has been conditioned to humans, or very hungry they still will attempt to take your young turkeys. When you a have a few turkeys you can do the supervised free ranging.

We also have natures best preditor alarms system, but it's not full proof.
The prairie dogs are usually very alert an issue an alarm call. When that happens the chickens and turkeys run for cover.

We also have man made and natural cover for the poultry to hide under.

Also all poultry are put in coops at night for there saftey.
Since we are in the middle of a wild life habitate we have to do some things differently then others.

Tom

 

[Sandrachx]

thanks for all the responses! i am pretty sure that 3 of the 6 turkeys are male - so far. late yesterday we put them in the fenced lamb grazing area and they went happy crazy, jumping and flapping. we stayed with them (they wouldn't leave the side of the fence where we stood) for about 40 minutes. the lambs came out of their shed, saw them and came over to inspect. controlled pandamonium (sp?), but then everyone settled down. collecting them was pretty easy, but i am guessing the next time we put them away won't be so easy since they had such fun. we're thinking of moving their caged run/coop into the fenced lamb area since it's so big. then we'll feel a little better about letting then free range without too much supervision, though we are always around.

 

[miss_jayne]

Sandra, what breed did you choose?

pandemonium...that describes turkeys perfectly!

 

[ivan3]

Sandrachx wrote: we put them in the fenced lamb grazing area and they went happy crazy, jumping and flapping

Ah, yes, the `happy' dance. Ours would circle around hopping and flying and raising cain like some sort of Maypole rhumba.

Be prepared for more neck-wrapping, snood pulling, caruncle chomping, head biting, chest thumping and kicking from your three jakes (testosterone, you bet). 95% of the time they will get along (only spar when working out pecking order - what yours are warming up for, or during breeding season).

Separating the jenny's from the jakes, so they can't see one another, can cut down on this activity (so can a bit of pine tar on the heads and caruncles).


Check this thread, as well: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=92240

Have fun!​