This is probably a silly question, but: what do you do with a turkey?

Well, from your signature I know you have chickens and probably think they have the most lovely and social disposition, but you aint seen nothen' till you see the love of a turkey.
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Don't get my wrong, I love my chickens and they come running to see me, but I do feel it has more to do with the treats I give than true endearment. If people complain about turkeys it is usually to say that they are TOO social. I live next to a wildlife reserve, if a car even slows down my guys make a b-line for it. Out gardening, they are by your side, pecking along with you, or at you. Sitting on the bench, the hens join me, one on each thigh and the third on my shoulder as they nap in the afternoon. All of this with no interesting in anything but your attention and affection. Plus, they make great lawn ornaments.
 
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That's interesting. So they're very friendly? I don't think that chickens have the "most" lovely and social disposition of all poultry because I have never had any other kinds; so I have nothing to compare them to. Do they eat everything, like chickens? When they are in the garden with you, do they eat your plants. Are the males aggressive or social?
 
Lol when I was a real little kid, I had a tom turkey grab hold of my ear (you know the story about turtles, how they don't let go until lightning strikes? Well, that's the kind of grip that turkey had on me) and started kicking the living tar out of me, luckily his spurs were trimmed, that was one BIG turkey lol. Best turkey I ever ate too lol. They're neat to have around, but they can be mean like anything else, especially in Spring, and can really do some damage when they decide they'd rather you leave. Probably didn't help that that turkey was dang near as big as I was at the time either lol. I really like turkeys though, but I just don't reccomend snuggling up to them much, and if you do, watch your eyes...
 
I had allowed my Bourbon hen Jefferson to sit on my shoulder while I did chores. Obviously this was when she was still rather small. The problem started when she still wanted to fly up and sit on my shoulder and she weighed in at about 11 pounds. Doesn't sound like much but 11 pounds hitting you upside the head can make you reel. So now we've settled on a routine where she has to wait until I'm sitting and then she can come sit in my lap and take a nap. My Midget Tom is the same way when he's not worrying about his ladies.
 
not at all a silly question..very reasonable to ask especially if one is headed in the direction of owning turkeys and needs any good reason to have them..

I originally bought mine to learn all the turkey calls and learn to call them better with a diaphram call for hunting purposes.

but they have become pets as well after the first few years with them.

My one young male eastern (2 yrs old) is not very friendly and will challenge me from time to time of course he was hatched and raised by one of my hens. but one thing good he has not attempted to wing smack me in the face yet..if he does that will be the first and last time of that non sense..

But most any breed of turkeys for the most part are excellent pets to have..
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id recommend staying away from the meat type turkeys if wanting them to roost/fly and live longer with a pain free life..unless your looking for dinner turkeys which are normally only raised for 6 months or less.
 
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Glad you asked cause I've been looking at Turkeys but unsure about them

May I ask some other questions ?

I hear they like to sit in peoples laps but will they poo in your lap or hold it until they get off ?
Do you have to lock them up at night like chickens or is it better to let them roost in the trees ?
My chickens free range on 3 acres can the turkeys do that or will they wander farther and scare the neighbors ?

Will 2 be happy can you have 2 males or does it have to be one of each

Sorry for the hijack don't beat me
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karen71, I don't mind if you ask questions on this topic; I am trying to learn about turkeys and there are questions you might ask that I might not think of.

So the males are aggressive. If they are raised by hand (I mean handled regularly from the time of hatching) will they be tame? Do they mellow with age like roosters?

Also: would a dog be able to catch and kill one? Do turkeys need a coop or run, and do feedstores sell the kind of food they eat?

What is a good breed to start with?
 

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