The poor chickens

[turkeygirl]

So I have two male Turkeys about 4 months old and I recently added a couple chickens in the mix. Well the first day we brought the chickens home, they layed an egg and then the next day we put them in with the Turkeys. They didnt lay any eggs and after three weeks I was getting a little concerned. They all seemed to be getting along fine but I decided to go sit in there and watch for an hour or two. Well one of the Chickens, Lucy kept trying to settle down in one of the nesting boxes when the BR turkey started pecking it. This continued over and over so I decided to seperate them. I took the BR out and went back to check on them no more that 20 mins later and there it was, an egg. I feel so bad, the poor things were being picked on and couldnt even lay an egg They seemed to get along otherwise, but as soon as she would go to the nesting box he would fly over and peck at the poor thing.

There is like a platform right below the nesting boxes, do you think I should just move the boxes or do I need to seperate them completely? any help is appreciated!!

 

[boxermom]

I had a turkey eating the eggs last year. I stapled hardware cloth over the front of the boxes. The chickens could get in from the side, but not the front. I cut a hole in the front, then using the piece I cut out, I wired it back on so it made a door that flapped close. It worked very well. No more eaten eggs. No more turkeys picking on the hens? Might work.

 

[al6517]

I know some will not or refuse to heed the warning, that chickens should not be kept with Turkey's on the same ground ever. this is because of Blackhead desease from chickens to Turkey's via ground contact, so if your smart you should seperate them and that will also take care of your chickens laying issue.

 

[ziggywiggy]

I don't keep my turkeys with chickens for that very reason. The turkeys bully them.

 

[OmaBird]

It must make a difference how many chickens and turkeys you have. I have large numbers of both and have no problem. One of my turkeys is sitting on eggs with a chicken now. I have tiny chicks and adults all mixed. I guess mine do not know who the enemy is.

 

[ziggywiggy]

Quote:
Could be also, if they were raised together or put together at a young age might make a difference.