moved my turkeys to large pen. Males are trying to kill each other

[Lu King]

I just moved my two male turkeys and three females to a large pen . The two males look like they are trying to kill each other. One is pulling at the comb of the other and won't stop. I'm concerned they will really hurt each other. One is definitely the most vicious of the two. Is this normal? They are Spanish blacks and are friendly with my family.

 

[ivan3]

How large is `large'?

Have the males and females been kept together previously?
How old are the males (jakes or toms)?

They usually won't do to much damage (sparring for supremacy/strutting/breeding rights) but can. They can be dissuaded with a bit of pine tar on the head (not above the eyes)/caruncles. usually, one will be whipped and will stand with his head hung to the ground, beak dragging.

If the enclosure is large enough put in some straw bales to break the area up a bit (hide behind, etc.). Keep an eye on the loser as, sometimes, the hens will do more actual damage than the other tom will (they often stab at the loser).

Ours did the most sparring as jakes and during breeding season (all it takes these days is a good kick from the alpha and that is that). Otherwise they pretty much get along just fine.

 

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

have the males been together before ??

sounds like they are trying to establish their pecking order. Keep an eye on them as if attacked and the loser can't get away the other might kill him if not watched closely. They should settle down in a couple days.

 

[Lu King]

They have been together since birth. Neither one is giving up. It is just one is being vicious. They are about 4 or 5 months old. Is the Spanish black turkeys one of the more aggressive turkeys?

 

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

They are about 4 or 5 months old.

They are just getting their pecking order all figured out, they will soon be done.​

 

[ivan3]

So, jakes. Yes, they can be vicious (our three would wail away for most of the day and be pretty bloody- superficial wounds heal up quickly). Behaviour is variety independent (it is the individual turk's chops for action that tells). Pine tar tastes very bad and is a good topical antiseptic/antibiotic (toxic in large amounts internally), wear gloves and daub some on the heads/caruncles. The won't bite as much or with great enthusiasm. However, they'll continue to kick/wrap necks/thump chests and, in general, cause you some anxiety. Ours would go at it for a couple of days, then the two on the low end of the totem pole would form an alliance and attempt to do in the alpha a couple of weeks later.

Once they get to be a couple years old they do more kicking (why we keep spurs rounded off) and the sparring takes on a somewhat formal quality (same bad intent, not as much blood).