Raising turkeys and chicks...

[lnm03]

I have read you are not suppose to raise them together for numerous reasons but does any one here raise turkeys with their chickens? If so, do you have any problems?

I want two turkeys but only have 1 chicken coop and 1 chicken run. Can I keep them in the same coop separated by chicken wire or is that pointless? Can they be in the same run or do they need to be x amount of feet away from each other?

Thank you for any advice!

 

[Boyd]

I've never done turkeys but the guy down from the road from me does. He told me that you have to keep them separated till they are older or the turkeys will get blackhead or blackface? (dont remember which) ... something to do with turkeys picking through chicken feces.

 

[lilchick]

I raise my turkeys with the chickens.. No problems as of yet. I think the disease is called blackhead and turkeys get it from chickens who get it from earthworms...
If you do not have it in your soil you are o.k.
I have raised guineas as well as chickens, ducks and turkeys together without any problems.. They roost in the same barns and eat and roam the yard all together.....

 

[zatsdeb]

I have my turkeys and chickens together also. No problems here. I got my turkeys and chicks together from cackle hatchery and the chicks teach the turkeys to eat and drink.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

deleted

 

[Boyd]

must mean we have it in our soil then ... RATS

 

[lnm03]

How do I know if it is in my soil?

 

[Laskaland]

Quote:
Call your county extension agent and ask if it's in the area. Blackhead is what you want to ask for...

I raise everything together- even goats- without any problems. I have found turkeys to be very fragile as poults, but keep them warm, watered and fed and they should do well. I also started raising my turkeys on wire floor until they are about 6 weeks and that seemed to save this second batch of babies (first was no so good!)

 

[Boyd]

Hm........ just have to keep the wife from going broody on me...... need more birds.... ACK!!!!!!!!!!

 

[deerman]

Yes chicken carry thing like blackhead and others. no harm to the chicken, but with kill some turkey and peafowl.

Best not to mix them, also best to raise them on wire for first 2 months, never lose any that way.

After talking with people who raise them together with no trouble, you will find they lose their share of young poults. Even if its just one, think thats a problem.

Worming the birds will help. After they get older maybe ok to mix, for me its not worth the risk, bad enought with all the wild birds.