My Tom Turkey Killed my Araucana Hen

[Kadkin]

I have a Royal Palm Tom Turkey that I got at the start of the summer. I bought it when it was a little less than a year old. I got it to protect my chickens, that free range in the backyard, from the hawks that were pecking them off. I haven't lost a chicken to a hawk since we got our turkey. He was a wonderful "dad" to all our baby chicks when we put them out in the yard. He watched them scared away the other hens so the babies could eat.

Today, I walk outside just in time to see him killing a hen, he had its head in his mouth and he was shaking it violently and stomping on it. I have no idea what happened or why, but now I'm afraid to keep the turkey in with the chickens.

Is this a fluke thing? Is it because it is close to mating season? Do I need to get rid of my turkey? We've had him without incident for 6 months? Anyone have any advice?

 

[R2elk]

I have a Royal Palm Tom Turkey that I got at the start of the summer. I bought it when it was a little less than a year old. I got it to protect my chickens, that free range in the backyard, from the hawks that were pecking them off. I haven't lost a chicken to a hawk since we got our turkey. He was a wonderful "dad" to all our baby chicks when we put them out in the yard. He watched them scared away the other hens so the babies could eat.

Today, I walk outside just in time to see him killing a hen, he had its head in his mouth and he was shaking it violently and stomping on it. I have no idea what happened or why, but now I'm afraid to keep the turkey in with the chickens.

Is this a fluke thing? Is it because it is close to mating season? Do I need to get rid of my turkey? We've had him without incident for 6 months? Anyone have any advice?

No this is not a fluke. This is what happens when you keep a lone tom with chickens. He wants to breed and eventually he tries to breed with a chicken hen and she ends up dead. If you insist on keeping a lone turkey with chickens make sure it is a hen turkey.

Turkeys are sociable birds and should not be kept as the only one of their kind. If a tom is kept it is always best to keep multiple turkey hens with him to help protect the hens from getting over-bred.

You need to get your tom some turkey hens to keep him occupied and away from trying to breed your chicken hens.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I've had turkeys kill chickens and they also chase and harass chickens especially when younger. I recommend never housing them together, once a turkey gets an idea in its head it's hard to get it out, and they are big strong birds, chickens don't stand a chance unless they can escape. I'm afraid your Tom will probably do it again.

 

[Molpet]

my jakes were fine with the chickens until they got about 5 months old. They broke the back of a cockerel that was raised with them. They would sleep together and seek each other out to nap during the day. I caught the BBB standing on the chicken's back and 3 nari ripping feathers out of his neck. I think they were confused and trying to mate

now they wing slap and chase the hens.. so they are confined

 

[gvwjbern]

I would have been screaming in horror if I walked in and saw that. I have 4 royal palms and they have had enough of the chickens bossing them around. I am afraid one of the toms will kill one or two of my roos. Thankfully they do not share the same coop, but they have quarrels during free ranging.