Royal Palms?

[TinyTotsSeramas]

I am thinking about getting a breeding pair of Royal Palms soon an was wondering if there is anything special about them one would need to know before getting into them an finding out later that it wasnt right?

 

[chicmom]

Hello! How exciting for you! Royal Palms are so beautiful! I would just make sure, if you're raising them with chickens, that blackhead disease isn't an issue in your area. (It's something chickens can carry with no problem, but it will kill a turkey.)

Turkeys also need more protein that chickens.....

That's all I can think of.

Here's my young Royal Palm on my front porch. He's gotten into the habit of peeking in the window to visit, just after suppertime.

 

[Lagerdogger]

Royal Palms aren't the best pet turkeys, but they are good lookers. They tend to be rather flighty compared to the other heritage turkeys (midget white may be jumpier). Of course, if you give them enough attention while young they will be frienndly. But if you want turkeys that want to see you and don't mind being held or touched, I have found Bourbon Reds and Narragansetts to be the most personable. Bourbon reds seem to stay the friendliest as they get older, especially the hens...until they hatch some eggs.

The more you play with them, the friendlier thay are, whatever color you choose.

 

[ColbyNTX]

If your getting a breeding pair then make sure you have a good pen with a top to keep them in for 2-4 weeks before you let them freerange or else they will take off never to be seen again. My palms are very friendly. My bid 2 year old tom was knocking on the back door this morning wanting me to come outside.I have rp's, sb, sweetgrass, auburn, narr's, golden narr's, br's and bsw's and none are flighty or aggressive.

 

[TinyTotsSeramas]

Quote:
so basically use the same rule of thumb as for chickens when free ranging?
Can you post a pic of your tom?

 

[lishah2000]

Mine are all very friendly. The two youngest are almost too friendly. I am "supervised" anytime I'm in the yard. The oldest tom I didn't raise, but he is perfect, loves company and gets upset when they leave. Hangs out close, but not in your way.

The two youngest I raised, but really didn't spend a lot of time with them. Once they were outside and free ranging they became very friendly. They will run/fly all the way across the property, when we pull in, just to say hello. None really like to be touched, but I can catch them and pick them up rather easy. They relax when picked up.

 

[TinyTotsSeramas]

Okay so what I am seeing so far is their pretty nice birds if handled at a younge age...

What about housing? anything special you need as far as housing? I know when I got my pheasant it was totally different then chickens!

 

[Two Creeks Farm]

My RP Tom isnt flighty, he will eat from your hand, about kill you for bread and knocks on the window when he feels you need to be outside. I have 2 10x10x6 dog kennels covered with tarps for my turkeys.....both have roosts etc. Its teh fastest easiest way IMO to have a fairly secure run. I open the doors and they freerange virtually all day, but spring is when I will monitor them heavily wich they should be in breeder pens by then so no big worry.

 

[ColbyNTX]

Quote:
so basically use the same rule of thumb as for chickens when free ranging?
Can you post a pic of your tom?

I really don't have a bunch of pics but they all come running to me and eat out of my hand and let me pet them.

 

[thehickchick]

My turkey is a great pet. They are quite tame although the hen is skittish. The Tom wasn't habdled from a young age but naturally is nice. I looove this breed but also want some narragansett.