Sudden Adult Pecking

[GingerAle87]

Hey all,

I got a problem I need some help with. I have 6 heritage turkeys (mixed types), with one Tom and 5 hens. They have been together since itty-bitty days and are now about 9 months. Today, the solo royal palm has been pecked on the back of her head/neck to the point of bleeding, looks like a broken feather is the source of the blood. I brought her inside and covered the blood with blue. When I took her back outside, two of the hens and the tom were right back on her, pecking at the same spot.

They have an inside area, 3 sided area with 2 roosts but since they were allowed outside time, they have never gone back in. They have a few roosting areas I made from logs they sleep on at night and have always stuck together. A few get through the netting once in a while but don't go anywhere once they realize no one else is coming with. The outside run they stay in is close to 700sqft. I do have plans of doubling it this summer to allow them more space.

Right now, I have pulled my victim and she is hanging out in my greenhouse for now. I didn't want to leave her in since she kind of gave up and just sat there letting them peck at her. Do you guys have any advice (other than expanding as that isn't an option with 4' snow drifts)? Is this something you guys have seen taper off if separated for a while or is it a continuous thing for the poor bird?

 

[Chickensandhorsesforlife]

I just got my first turkey! His name is murphy. I am sorry I can not help you here. @Turkey Girl might help

 

[GingerAle87]

Bump, please.

 

[GingerAle87]

Well, I am going to post an update to what happened in case anyone else falls on this post in the future.

I have a friend who has a single pet turkey and he took my Palm for a bit because he had been looking for a friend. I was going to butcher her but there is still 3ft of snow and pretty cold temps, so if I could avoid butchering this time of year... I was going to. The two got along fine but mine was just too loud for his neighborhood so he brought her back yesterday. I put her back into the pen with the others and no problems since. They are all eating, foraging (in the snow) and doing turkey things.

Looking back, I think it has to do with hormones. All the hens have begun laying in the last month and I can tell from feathers that the male has been doing his thing (and I've witnessed it twice). I have also noticed that some of the hens will chase each other around after the male is finished so maybe a little jealousy.... For the moment, things are settled and I will let them do their thing until they tell me otherwise.

 

[RedwoodTurkey]

My guess is that it being mating season the hens, are trying to establish the pecking order in terms of who gets to mate and such. I read somewhere that the amount of remaining feathers on a hens head in their flock/rafter dictates their rank. With the exception of my males duking it out almost blinding one another, the hens don't seems to do enough damage to mortally wound one another. Things should settle down after a while!