Taming a Tom

[R.M. Hens]

I have five 2 1/2 mo old RP poults. I hope to have a pair and send the other 3 to freezer camp. I have had them for about 2 weeks now and they are still pretty scared of me. Will they become more tame as they get older? Is there anything I can do now to make sure I don't have a mean Tom?

 

[jasonm11]

go out and spend time with them and take treats, they like treats. Move slow let them build trusta nd come to you. Don't grab and hold them because it will not help build the trust. time and treats, treats and time, and a little small talk. You will have freindly birds before you know it.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

delete

 

[R.M. Hens]

Thanks jason and steve. Sounds like I just have to have patience and just give them time to get used to me. I just had to giggle out loud because I just imagined a big ol' 20 lb. tom sitting on my lap.

I have to say that would be awesome though. I do not let my chickens free range, but my pair of turkeys will be my back yard dogs. I just dont want to have to worry about them attacking or being aggressive to visitors or us. A few people have told me that they are aggressive, but after reading posts on BYC, I think they just didn't spend enough time with them to tame them and let them know who's boss.
Thanks again for the replies.

 

[Lagerdogger]

It seems that some get very friendly and some don't. I go sit in the roosts (my feet are still on the ground) and hand feed grass and clover. Some of th eturkeys will jump on my shoulders, some will gather round whether I have food or ot, and others will keep their distance.

 

[Taylor]

the tom turkey as my avatar is tame as everything, you can go right up to him and pick him up!

i love himm so much!!!! but as for my hens you can't get within 20 ft of them or they will try and run and fly off. all i did is hold him alot when he was young

 

[LadyTurkey]

I have three males, they are all about 3 months old. I have been handling them all the time. When im out side with them they follow me around constantly!! they like to snuggle up to you when they have a chance as well. But I do spend alot of time with them at least a couple hours everyday!