Is it OK to just keep a Tom and one Hen turkey?

[sandy sea]

I had two 5 months old hen turkeys, but I lost one to a gang of wild turkey. That leaves me with only one turkey. Been looking for turkeys about the same age. It seems that most turkeys available at that age are toms. Would it be OK to just get one turkey a Tom? Any input would be great.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Depends on the tom. Since breeding season is winding down you may be okay over the winter, and could hatch your own next year if you wanted more. The only concern would your hen getting overmated.

 

[R2elk]

I had two 5 months old hen turkeys, but I lost one to a gang of wild turkey. That leaves me with only one turkey. Been looking for turkeys about the same age. It seems that most turkeys available at that age are toms. Would it be OK to just get one turkey a Tom? Any input would be great.

It's not a good idea because it is so hard on the hen. The hen will need to have places she can go to escape the tom especially when she has a nest. The nest need to not be accessible to the tom.

 

[sandy sea]

How many hens would I need with one tom? Would it be ok to just keep hens without a tom?

 

[sandy sea]

It's not a good idea because it is so hard on the hen. The hen will need to have places she can go to escape the tom especially when she has a nest. The nest need to not be accessible to the tom.

How many hens to tom? Is it OK to just keep a few hens without a tom?

 

[R2elk]

How many hens to tom? Is it OK to just keep a few hens without a tom?

Yes it's okay to keep hens without a tom. I try to keep at least 4 to 5 hens for one tom. It makes life much easier on the hens.

 

[LaurenMox]

I had two 5 months old hen turkeys, but I lost one to a gang of wild turkey. That leaves me with only one turkey. Been looking for turkeys about the same age. It seems that most turkeys available at that age are toms. Would it be OK to just get one turkey a Tom? Any input would be great.

you usually shouldn't but if your Tom is super docile it's probably ok! But if you feel like you need another hen, Craigslist is the best place. When one of my ducks passed we easily found another in Craigslist to keep the other duck happy

 

[sandy sea]

What if I just get one or two more Hens and no Tom. How does that work out? Would the hens take off with the wild turkeys again?

 

[R2elk]

What if I just get one or two more Hens and no Tom. How does that work out? Would the hens take off with the wild turkeys again?

Possibly, unless you keep them penned during breeding season.

 

[sandy sea]

Possibly, unless you keep them penned during breeding season.

I am going to get two more hens and one tom. Thanks