Turkey Aggression... normal or indicative of something else?

[LinaNate]

I have a flock of 6 young broad-breasted turkeys... I believe 4 of them are toms.

This week we had a terrible head pecking ordeal that resulted in a badly injured hens? head: http://www.harvestofdailylife.com/updates-on-the-massive-poultry-flock-in-the-tiny-suburban-backyard
Anyway, the injury is healing nicely now that I've separated her from the rest of them... but the aggression is continuing.

Honestly, I can't be sure if it's the same bronze broad-breasted bird or not, but I have one that just goes to town on my toms. I can't be sure if it's retaliation or out of the blue because I'm only alerted once the battle is well underway.

Anyway, is aggressive behavior normal in turkeys? Is my agressor likely a tom (I think it's a hen)? I read another thread about mean turkey hens that are just mean and never improve. Any truth to this? Will my toms need to all be housed separately as they get older?

 

[ivan3]

You could separate out the males from females. This will decrease `some' of the drama. However, the smaller the space the greater number of interactions the more opportunity for unintended consequences. Pine tar (small amount), heat up a dab for 2-3 seconds in microwave, mix in a bit of plain neosporin and stir. Put on a glove and apply a thin amount to head of turk being picked on the most. The stuff tastes disgusting and will sometimes (sometimes not) cut down on pecking and biting), do not apply a lot (don't want it in eyes) it also discolors anything it touches. We've used it to good effect, but it is a last resort.

With BB's for food, the best thing one can do is provide a stress free environment so the feed conversion can be maximized and they the reach the table the soonest.

Good luck!

 

[LinaNate]

Thanks. That helps lots.

I'm pretty sure she's a hen and funny enough, the other hen has chosen to join her in confinement so we are following your advice and dividing the sexes. We are moving in a week and plan to build some sort of tractor for them, maybe I can split it down the middle to keep sexes divided?

Does the pine tar just keep pecking down or does it speed healing? Her wound is startlingly deep and looks to have some blood again today.

​

 

[ivan3]

Thanks for the additional info/shots.

Irrigate wound with water+betadine 10:1 solution. Apply the antibiotic ointment to area (if you see any flies hanging around cover wound with dressing that has a tiny bit of a pyrethrin based insect spray on the outside of covering).
Or, irrigate with the antiseptic solution and apply the pine tar/neosporin to wound. Pine tar does have disinfectant/antibiotic properties and shouldn't present a problem in a wound this small (pine tar contains high levels of cooked terpenes - from pine - that can be dangerous if taken in large quantities internally. Either method should do.

We used pine tar on our first set of jakes to cut down on the sparring (tastes terrible). Sparring is normal and the consequent head wounds-heal up fast, but in hot weather flies and their eggs are murder