Not sure if my turkey has a problem or what......Need help!

[chicmom]

I have a very nice Blue Slate turkey hen, and she's just over 5 months old. She looks fine, but lately I'm seeing some strange behavior. She will sit still, kind of like she's on a nest, and she sort of spreads her wings over her back. I can pet her all I want when she does this, where she was a bit shy before and I could only pet her when I was giving her treats.

Anyhow, I see her doing this strange pose randomly, and this morning, she was outside already posing like that....in a sort of nesting position with her wings fanned out behind her, close to the body.

What's up with this. When I pet her and she's posing this way, the Tom gets upset, and then he will sort of scratch her back with his feet, and he actually steps on her neck sometimes, and she will peep peep peep. (I make him get off of her neck. He's done that twice.)

Then yesterday, I thought I saw him mate very briefly with her. So is this a sign of maturity? Is that some kind of turkey mating pose and is she just "in the mood"?

Or is maybe my turkey girl getting sick?

I would appreciate your help,
Sharon

 

[crj]

I wish I knew Sharon. It almost sounds like it but she seems a bit young yet. I could be wrong. They aren't like chickens. I've noticed that the female has to accept the male in order to mate rather then the male mating with no permission like a rooster. I think my 3 month old turkey is sick. I just posted for some help. I hope you find your answer.

 

[chicmom]

Quote:
I'm a bit worried about her. I wonder about blackhead disease, although I haven't seen any yellow poop in the coop. It's just odd how she sort of fans out those feathers when she lays down......Very strange. I'm almost sure I saw them mate yesterday, but it was very quick.....I picked her up yesterday, and she's really heavy! It surprised me!

I hope someone responds.....Good luck with your turkey too, Chris!

 

[jasonm11]

she likes you, she thinks you are her mate. She is submitting to you because she is ready to breed.

She is growing up

 

[chicmom]

Quote:
Oh Jason, thank you! I was worried sick. She's been doing this alot in the past week....So my little girl has grown up! LOL No wonder my tom got upset when I was petting her then.....He though I was messing with his girlfriend then......

 

[shareverwonder]

I am so glad someone posted this question. My two girls have been acting the same way. Every time my fiance is outside working, my two girls follow him and then shake a little and sit down right next to him. There is no way you are going to move them either. That is the only time we are allowed to pet them. We have been laughing for weeks over this

Now that I know, I can't wait to tell my fiance.

My girls are in love!!

 

[chicmom]

Quote:
Sooo glad I'm not the only one! I was watching her thinking, gee, shoud I be worried? Is she sick? She looks just fine......I think the bad part is she might like me more than she likes Clyde........

I'll have to have a talk with her and explain that I prefer males......