Tom turkey started attacking me, what to do?

[Kay Rouse]

Quote:

well then, you got the basic hold down pat.. now use it on him..

come to think of it,,,, I think I would not wait for the next attack.. I would go out tomorrow morning and grab him first.. do it a couple of times after that and I'll bet real money that he starts to avoid you..

This technique worked for us with a goose named Pete I had a few years. He finally settled down after a week of this,
I have tom turkeys now at 7 months who have been handled since day one and so far no male aggression, but i'm sure one of 'em will try to see who's top banana in the human flock some day.

My Bronze Turkey that I hand raised from a 3 day old Pullet suddenly started showing signs of agression at 6 months. He always followed me around, sat beside me on the golf cart and even layed his head on my chest a couple of times and dozed off. Then suddenly one day he jumped up in the seat beside me and started gently pecking me, getting harder and harder. Then he picked up his foot and scratched my leg before he finally yanked my glasses off my face. I calmly stood up and walked back into my house while constantly glancing over my shoulder. I was researching how to protect myself when I ran across your post. The next day when Fred saw me come out the back door he ran toward me and tried to attack me. I waved my arms and yelled at him and stepped back. It didn't do any good.He attacked me again. I remembered your post and grabbed him by the neck at the slightest flinch. I held him there a few minutes then released him as I pushed him away. To no avail. I had to do it all over again. I finally pinned him down by his neck, while reaching my other arm around his body and grabbed his loot. I lifted him off the ground and flung him into his pen and slammed the door shut. He will still attack me if he is not locked up. It is with great sadness that he will having him for Thanksgiving dinner as I have never killed and eaten any of my poultry before. Anyway....I am soooo very thankful I saw your post just in the nick of time. It may not always put an end to Turkey attacks permanently but it will put an end to the one in progress and can very well save your life. I'm a 62 year old short woman and if I can do it anyone can. I'm a newbie and have never raised a Turkey before. This technique is literally a life saver! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

 

[Molpet]

My Bronze Turkey that I hand raised from a 3 day old Pullet suddenly started showing signs of agression at 6 months. He always followed me around, sat beside me on the golf cart and even layed his head on my chest a couple of times and dozed off. Then suddenly one day he jumped up in the seat beside me and started gently pecking me, getting harder and harder. Then he picked up his foot and scratched my leg before he finally yanked my glasses off my face. I calmly stood up and walked back into my house while constantly glancing over my shoulder. I was researching how to protect myself when I ran across your post. The next day when Fred saw me come out the back door he ran toward me and tried to attack me. I waved my arms and yelled at him and stepped back. It didn't do any good.He attacked me again. I remembered your post and grabbed him by the neck at the slightest flinch. I held him there a few minutes then released him as I pushed him away. To no avail. I had to do it all over again. I finally pinned him down by his neck, while reaching my other arm around his body and grabbed his loot. I lifted him off the ground and flung him into his pen and slammed the door shut. He will still attack me if he is not locked up. It is with great sadness that he will having him for Thanksgiving dinner as I have never killed and eaten any of my poultry before. Anyway....I am soooo very thankful I saw your post just in the nick of time. It may not always put an end to Turkey attacks permanently but it will put an end to the one in progress and can very well save your life. I'm a 62 year old short woman and if I can do it anyone can. I'm a newbie and have never raised a Turkey before. This technique is literally a life saver! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

What are you feeding him? I had trouble with feeding chicken feed and aggressive toms. Someone gave me this link https://www.hybridturkeys.com/en/news/aggressive-behaviour-nutrition/ and when I feed ONLY high protien turkey feed, it was like someone swapped my jerks with sweet birds. When they also ate mullberries, grass seeds and such they were back being jerks.

 

[Kay Rouse]

What are you feeding him? I had trouble with feeding chicken feed and aggressive toms. Someone gave me this link https://www.hybridturkeys.com/en/news/aggressive-behaviour-nutrition/ and when I feed ONLY high protien turkey feed, it was like someone swapped my jerks with sweet birds. When they also ate mullberries, grass seeds and such they were back being jerks.

Thx for the info. I have been feeding them chicken feed, mealworms, lettuce etc.