New to turkeys.

[Countrypunk92]

Hey guys, I own several chickens and ducks, and im going to an Amish swap this saterday, I was thinking about haveing a turkey or two..
Can somone give me advice on them? What are the benifits of having turkeys? are they docile?

 

[greenbird]

I got my first turkeys last year as chicks. Let me tell you, I am glad I did. They are so much Fun. They have great personalities. The toms will let me give them hugs and are very nice. They are a bit like dogs in my opinion. To me their isn't much difference in raising them than there is to raising chickens, they are just bigger.

The benefits are having a really great pet and a good time

 

[Two Creeks Farm]

Quote:
I will second that. This is my 2nd go around with turkeys and IMO they are a ton of fun to raise

 

[Countrypunk92]

Are they messy?
Are toms Aggressive? What are the chances a coyote or hawk would attack it?

 

[Two Creeks Farm]

IMO less messy then chickens but they do produce a larger volume LOL!

Ive never run into what I would call an all out agressive Tom, but during mating season they can get cranky.

When young, they are vulnerable to everything just like a chicken....but when mature, most rpedators leave them be, especially hawks. Yotes are always a threat to anything they feel they can kill.

 

[Countrypunk92]

I woud like to keep it 'free range" But im afraid it will wonder off.

 

[Two Creeks Farm]

If you raise one from day one, they likely wont go far. You do have to watch the spring time......

Several folks on here can attest to them roaming no doubt. I saw a domestic with a flock of wilds during spring turkey season here LOL!

 

[gypsygirl1421]

I raised to poults with some store bought chicks one died but the other lived. He was a Tom, from that day on he never left my chickens. He was very friendly except during May (breeding season). He would puff his chest out and carry on when I was working on the chicken coop and as soon as you turned your back on him he tried to spur you (not bad, it was a half-hearted attempt really), and when you bent over to get the chicken eggs he would bite you in the derriere. Sometimes he was very mean to some of the hens that were low in the pecking order, once or twice drawing blood. He would do anything for dog food. My friend ended up losing his tom to old age and begged use of mine so I gave in. All I had to do to get him in the pickup was walk along with the dog food. He is very happy now where he is but my friends wife says she is starting to get tired of him sitting on their deck and staring in the sliding glass doors at the dog food bowls! She says as soon as she turns her back he is in the house. Mine was a blue slate by the way. I miss him sooo much too, so just put some turkey eggs in the bator yesterday (royal palm).

 

[Countrypunk92]

Their face is sooo ugly though lol!

 

[Countrypunk92]

Their face is sooo ugly though lol!