Introducing a new turkey to the flock

[callieisspooky]

Just a PSA - it helps to introduce a new bird to the flock to wait until the most aggressive bird goes into season. Had been trying unsuccessfully for months to put my single Tom in with the older females, all because one hen was especially resistant to the idea. One day she started presenting. I took that as my cue, and penned her with Tom. She didn't even look at him sideways.

Not sure if it would have worked had Tom been female, but who knows.

 

[ivan3]

Good timing. Hens can also be rough on any tom that loses a sparring contest with the other toms (low tom on totem pole). The other toms will ignore him but the hens will remind him of his place if he doesn't keep his distance.