introducing new turkeys

[vtgirls]

What do you feel the best way and age is to introduce turkeys? I will have 5 Narragansetts at about 6 months when the 15 Midget White poults arrive. At what point can I put them into the same tractor/run together?

 

[Dogfish]

I introduced mine (5) to the flock (existing 2) after they were fully feathered. I think with 15 new arrivals, it should be a non-event with just a few squawbles. It won't take long for each group to realize they are the same, and they'll flock up.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

You want to wait until they are close in size, there 6 month olds will give the poults a hard time.

Steve

 

[vtgirls]

I am not sure they will ever be close in size - lol - I believe the Midget White toms at full growth are only just the size of Narragansett hens. If this is true, then fall back to when the poults feather out and hope for safety of 15 smallies to 5 biggies?

 

[Lagerdogger]

How far apart can different clutches be and still get along. I am getting hatchery poults next April, but I don't expect my natural breeders to hatch any until at least June. Do 6 week old birds get along with 12 week old birds?

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Quote:
I agree with Steve. They need to be close enough in size for the younger birds to have some chance of defending themselves. Adding fifteen new birds to five older birds should keep the mayhem down somewhat, but they need to be close in size unless you're free ranging them where they can get away from one another.