Should Turkeys and Chickens be separated?

[Kershylyn]

Hello To All,

I have 2 Blue Slate Turkey's, a Tom and a Hen. I am wondering if I should coop them up separately from the rest of my flock of Chickens? I am doing a bit of research on Turkey's, as this is my first time as a turkey parent. I have not found any post's yet on whether or not to separate Turkey's from Chicken's. I am hoping that we may end up with some baby Turkey's this spring, so I am also curious what kind of set up I should prep in term's of nesting.

I would really like to hear what you all's input's and experiences have been. What kind of set up do you have for your Turkey's? Thank You for your time and please be kind to one another as we all have different opinions.

 

[BantamLover21]

Generally, chickens and turkeys should be separated because chickens can carry a disease called Blackhead and spread it to turkeys (which will become visibly sick). Turkeys, due to their size and temperaments, can also occasionally hurt chickens if they're raised together.

The only benefit of keeping turkeys and chickens in the same area is that the turkeys can pass on some resistance to Marek's disease to the chickens. In fact, the turkey Marek's virus (which doesn't cause true Marek's symptoms in chickens) is the virus used to create chicken Marek's disease vaccines.

I don't raise turkeys, so I can't answer your questions on housing set-up, breeding, etc. I'm sure some experienced turkey raisers will come along and help, though.

 

[Molpet]

I do not have blackhead in my area so I put them together... Check w/your extension service or Ag dept...
My hens isn't laying yet, so not sure what I am going to do about a nest box.. although people say a sheet of plywood against the wall so she could get in there works.. some say they squish themselves in the chicken boxes.

pros:
1.adult turkeys help discourage smaller daytime predators: Hawks,cats etc , coyote can carry one off.
2..only need one waterer in winter

cons
1. most people say turkeys need higher protein, but everyone gets grower in my flock
2 Turkeys do not like my roos ... they did squash and broke the back of a cockerel.... the roos now stay away from them.. I had to divide the 8x24' hoop coop so the turkeys can go in only one half, but the chickens can use the whole coop.
3. Turkeys went after chickens that acted different: broody hens, cx meat birds, limping/injured birds, young chicks

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have had turkeys kill chickens and they enjoy chasing and harassing them. I personally for the welfare of my chickens keep my turkeys separately. They all do free range in the same area, but my turkeys get locked up in the evening or when I see them making trouble. It's not a daily occurrence.

When a turkey gets an idea in it's head it doesn't stop. I have seen fights go on for days between turkeys. For chickens it can be too much in my opinion.

 

[rweaver]

I normally separate my turkeys and chickens. Recently a fox killed all but one hen. (The fox came down to the field just before dusk, which is when I round up the turkeys). As the days passed it seemed as if she was depressed. I placed my 1 1/2 month old chicks in the barn with her. It has been 3 weeks and she has perked up and watches over the chicks as if they are her own. She patiently waits for the chicks to get their fill before she goes over to the feed dish. I'm not sure what I will do with my one turkey when the chicks are old enough to join the flock.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Let her hatch some eggs perhaps.

 

[rweaver]

I have to get her a new mate. They were beautiful birds. White Royal Palms.

 

[rweaver]

To Old hen likes dogs,

I looked through your pictures. Beautiful Birds! What type of goats do your raise? I have Nubian Dairy Goats.

 

[Kershylyn]

I just wanted to say Thank You to all of those who gave advice, information and shared stories! It is very much appreciated!

My Tom Turkey, "Turka-Turk", has been making weird noises toward my dominant roo, almost as if to egg him on to a fight. Towering over him and trying to push him around. Whatever he is doing, it has got to stop! Red, my roo, is so lax when it comes to newcomers, male or female, I want to keep it this way. Even though my turkeys aren't newcomers, I don't need an aggressive roo. Red is a Wydonett and a ladies man. Anyway's, I also noticed that my hen Turkey, no name yet, has also been scolding my chicken ladies when they get mated.

I guess in the end I am just going to have to separate the 2 turkey's from the rest of the flock, which hurts. I just don't want to take any chances with them hurting any chickens. It is hard to accept, especially since my chicken's and turkey's grew up together.

My other thought is that since I have a new roo that is coming to age, maybe this is part of the problem? Or it could be that I inherited my mom's Delaware roo? What do you think? I really don't want to separate the turkey's from their flock. I think that I may separate the new roo's from the flock, or better yet, get rid of the new roo's. Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

To Old hen likes dogs,

I looked through your pictures.  Beautiful Birds!  What type of goats do your raise?  I have Nubian Dairy Goats.

I currently have a variety of wethers. A few pygmy Nigerian mixes and various dairy breeds, la mancha, sable saanan, alpine, and toggenburgs. I rescue dairy boys from Easter Dinner. No Nubians currently, I lost mine a few years ago, they are my favorite breed.