Introducing young turkey poults to an established flock of chickens.

[Karanoga]

I have 4 turkey poults that will be 8 wks old in a few days. They have been living in a run adjacent to my chicken flock separated only by harware cloth for about 2 weeks. I would like to combine them. When and how would be the best way to do this?

 

[R2elk]

I have 4 turkey poults that will be 8 wks old in a few days. They have been living in a run adjacent to my chicken flock separated only by hardware cloth for about 2 weeks. I would like to combine them. When and how would be the best way to do this?View attachment 4172657

The best way is to keep the turkeys separate from the chickens.

As long as there is no aggression at the fence, you can just open it up between the two areas and watch what happens.

At 8 weeks old, the poults should be on a quality turkey grower feed for another 6 weeks. After that, a quality all flock feed is appropriate.

If you are feeding your chickens layer feed, it is not appropriate for poults and it is also not appropriate for the toms.

I feed all my poultry 20% protein all flock pellets with free choice oyster shell on the side.

 

[Karanoga]

The best way is to keep the turkeys separate from the chickens.

As long as there is no aggression at the fence, you can just open it up between the two areas and watch what happens.

At 8 weeks old, the poults should be on a quality turkey grower feed for another 6 weeks. After that, a quality all flock feed is appropriate.

If you are feeding your chickens layer feed, it is not appropriate for poults and it is also not appropriate for the toms.

I feed all my poultry 20% protein all flock pellets with free choice oyster shell on the side.

Thanks for your reply. I'm also feeding all flock with oster option to my chickens and turkey grower to my poults. I wanted to combine them, but will wait a bit longer so the turkeys can continue with the grower. There hasnt been any agression that I have seen between the two, and my turkeys seem very interested in the chickens.