Naughty Turkey - HELP!

[vtgirls]

Ok - so he's not naughty - just doing his thing but...... I ended up with two toms and three hens from eggs hatched last August.

The hens have startd to lay for the strutting Toms and the fighting has started with no end. It is getting ridiculous.

I have read that 1 tom ok, 2 toms fight, 3 toms ok. I cant change this at once (butcher date is set for June). I can however relocate one of the Toms.

Should I move the very aggresive Tom (he comes after us too everytime we walk by but is inside a fenced run so he cant get us - feeding/fresh water is a daily challenge now) or the less aggressive one? (my choice would be to move mr testosterone)

The BIG QUESTION - how do I move him?

(laugh all you like - I am serious about his being super aggressive - tries to bite, flies right at people with his talons up and out) I want to move him ASAP (have a great old dog kennel which can be his home for a couple months while he fattens up a bit more)

Suggestions GREATLY appreciated.

 

[Renee']

I have never moved a mean turkey but I am guessing night time would be the best time; when he's chillin and can't see real well.

This is how I move my turkeys when they refuse to be herded: Get a good grip around the body with one hand/arm and get a heck of a good grip on the legs with your other hand. If he starts flapping just hang on to the legs, for dear life, and transport him hanging by his legs, yes he will evenually calm and just hang there. When you get to his new home gently swing his body away from you, his head forward, and have him come to a gentle rest on his chest then let go of his legs. Good luck.

I currently have 6 toms and 2 hens. Butcher day is 4/20 and I am READY!

 

[vtgirls]

Thanks - I am thinking night for sure - butcher day is 6/30 and I am ready too! Someone said throw a bucket over him too - should be interesting no matter how it turns out!

 

[crj]

I have one tom and 2 hens. My tom now goes after people that come over to visit. Not so much the adults anymore but the young kids. Not good. He took out a 3 yr old yesterday. I just couldn't get to the tom fast enough. The little boy didn't get hurt because the dog was also jumping on him and licking him. Poor kid. The dog was happy to see him but the turkey was not. Needless to say the kid was scared to death. I think the fact that he came running to me started it all. Not the little boys fault. The boy didn't get hurt. The turkey doesn't have spurs.

Anyway, when I have to get my aggressive tom I try to get a good grip from behind his neck and hold down on him till I can stand over him to pick him up. It's hard to explain how I actually grab him that way. It's at the base of his neck and if I have to I can slide my hand around to the front near his chest if he tries to take off. I grab with both arms around his CHEST and make sure my arms are up high enough where he can't get my hands/arms with his feet. I've learned that turkeys can growl....... lol. I no longer get startled from that sound and let him go. I just hold on with a big bear hug and put him in a pen. It's easy once you do it. I've taken my turkeys by the feet and I get slapped with those wings in the face every darn time. I prefer the bear hug from behind. I feel I get more control.

I think at night would be your best bet when relocating him. Good luck.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Renee' :

I have never moved a mean turkey but I am guessing night time would be the best time; when he's chillin and can't see real well.

This is how I move my turkeys when they refuse to be herded: Get a good grip around the body with one hand/arm and get a heck of a good grip on the legs with your other hand. If he starts flapping just hang on to the legs, for dear life, and transport him hanging by his legs, yes he will evenually calm and just hang there. When you get to his new home gently swing his body away from you, his head forward, and have him come to a gentle rest on his chest then let go of his legs. Good luck.

I currently have 6 toms and 2 hens. Butcher day is 4/20 and I am READY!

This is exactly how I get and grab my turkeys.

@ butcher day.

vtgirls wrote: Ok - so he's not naughty - just doing his thing but...... I ended up with two toms and three hens from eggs hatched last August.

The hens have startd to lay for the strutting Toms and the fighting has started with no end. It is getting ridiculous.

I have read that 1 tom ok, 2 toms fight, 3 toms ok. I cant change this at once (butcher date is set for June). I can however relocate one of the Toms.

Should I move the very aggresive Tom (he comes after us too everytime we walk by but is inside a fenced run so he cant get us - feeding/fresh water is a daily challenge now) or the less aggressive one? (my choice would be to move mr testosterone)

The BIG QUESTION - how do I move him?

(laugh all you like - I am serious about his being super aggressive - tries to bite, flies right at people with his talons up and out) I want to move him ASAP (have a great old dog kennel which can be his home for a couple months while he fattens up a bit more)

Suggestions GREATLY appreciated.

vtgirls, I had a similar problem. My youngest tom was fighting with my oldest tom (in my avatar), the ducks, the geese, the rabbits, the turkeys, the chickens, the cats, and the wind. I have 4 hens and 3 of them are setting on eggs right now, so he decided to take a chicken on a date and mate with her. In addition to that little 30 second chicken/turkey movie clip, and him fighting with my #1 boy ALL THE TIME, he was re-homed in less than 48 hours. I moved him the exact same way that Renee' does. Definitely move at night. They are slower at night. Keep us posted.

Bye Bye Sonny Boy & Good Riddins!

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

My only tom has turned evil-manson-killer-bird on me. and I have to move him every couple of days to a different breeding pen . . .

everyone gathers around to watch and laugh but I have got it pretty well down. I just use a broom and chase him around until he has his head in corner, then I kinda pounce on his back and wrap my arms around his wings. Once his wings are pinned I can just carry him around no problem. Well he's heavy, but he doesn't fight any more.

 

[pkw]

Are all toms mean like this? I don't have turkeys yet but am reading up on them to learn before actually getting some

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
No, they are not. The tom in my avatar is a gental giant. He is as sweet as sugar.

 

[vtgirls]

Thank you all so much.
Tonights the night of the move - have convinced the hubby to be the "hugger".
We are expecting a foot of snow (ouch - thats no April Fools joke unfortunately) so today I will shore up the tarp on the kennel roof where he's going and extra hay, etc - supposed to be the heavy stuff all night and all tomorrow.
I expect peace to be restored at once.
Oh - and my other tom IS much friendlier and more approachable, my hens are VERY friendly.
Seems to be only this guy who has the complex.....

 

[ColbyNTX]

Be sure to have the video running so you can enjoy your DH's moment of shame in case the tom gets the upper hand! We would also enjoy seeing it.

Get hem by himself where you don't have to go in very often and fatten him up and when he is so mean, he will be easy to butcher.