turkey assault?

[WarrenHound]

ok was hoping someone could spread some light as to why my tom is trying to kick my butt. i have a very large coop renovated from an old barn and tack room + a large run with around 30 birds, bantam chicken's, geese, ducks and 2 turkeys. there is still plenty of room.

well this started as soon as my toms beard came in i can walk in with black pants NOTHING shiny and he will wait until i turn my back to him to rush me and throws his leg at mine trying to scratch me or knock me over.
at first i tried shooing with my shoe then today he was so violent i had to kick him to get him off me and he STILL tried to attack me.
in the past he would puff his body up full plumage and doe the *thump* whenever i was around now he jut tries to attack me =/ i have never had a tom before so this is new for me... also i am nowhere near the hen when these attack happen.

ideas at to why this is happening and how to stop it?

i usually wear blue or black pants when i go in and dark colored shirts ...i dont like brights..so i don't know if that has anything to do with it or what..

 

[Scottingitup]

I am in the same boat as you. I've tried everything now even pinning my two toms down. It only works for a few days :-( my younger toms are picking up the habit.. Freezer camp may be in order soon.

Wish I could help you!

 

[ivan3]

Get a heavy duty broom. Every time you enter the run (whether he's paying attention, or not) walk right up and push him around with the broom. Make him back off and run from you (chase him). As soon as he takes off ignore him (but keep an eye peeled). If he approaches within 5 ft. of you - take off after him again with the broom. Repeat regularly. If dominance routine fails to make a dent in the behavior then make a dent in your appetite for turkey.

 

[frank53061]

I am 6 feet 4 inches tall 250lbs that maybe the reason my My Toms have not tried any thing with me other than try to impress me.
But as with any animals from the farm you have to be the Alfa no matter if you are Male or female I taught my Daughter this and it works well she will chase down a Rooster or Tom that even looks at her cross eyed and she picks it up and talks to like a baby and tickles it under its waddle and in a way its showing them her dominance over them and it has worked every time.
She is not to let go of the Tom or Rooster till she she feels she has embarrassed the Rooster or Tom in front of the others showing her dominance in front of the flock.
And if this still does not work then yes I would agree its freezer camp bound.

 

[Sally8]

Is this sort of behavior common with tom's? I have a Bronze/Royal Palm mix. He is beautiful, struts around, drumming but never aggressive. I also have a RP hen and then chickens. She just laid her 2 nd egg. Wasn't expecting it at all this early. Do I need to provide a nest box like for the chickens? They have an 8 x 10 coop, the a 12 x 14 covered run to keep them out of the neighbors yard. Thanks

 

[Sally8]

Is this sort of behavior common with tom's? I have a Bronze/Royal Palm mix. He is beautiful, struts around, drumming but never aggressive. I also have a RP hen and then chickens. She just laid her 2 nd egg. Wasn't expecting it at all this early. Do I need to provide a nest box like for the chickens? They have an 8 x 10 coop filled 6 in or so of pine flakes and 2 roosts, 18 - 24 in from the floor, then a 12 x 14 ft covered run to keep them in and away from the neighbors. Thanks

 

[ivan3]

There is a percentage that are aggressive, but we've yet to raise one that is, and reports of aggressive behavior are made, on BYC, from time-to-time, but far fewer than those about roosters.

Hens should be provided with a safe `area' (back corner of shed/coop - lots of straw - few dry leaves). If they try to (or succeed) start a nest elsewhere move the eggs to where you want them to nest. Crates will serve as either the nest or, several arranged around the nesting corner. can serve as a privacy berm (we use folding, plastic toddler fencing).

 

[flocksalot]

I've never had a Tom or jake go after me. I have had them go after strangers though. I think they consider me top of the flock. I'm no where near Frank's size, but they know I'm not easily intimidated. My toms will sidle up beside me and flirt. They have a thing about my hair and will play with it. Especially when it's loose.

On the other hand I did have a young rooster try to flog me today, but after I gave him a good swift kick and then chased him around for awhile I think he got the idea. Usually that's all it takes. Watch how they behave with each other. When one decides to challenge for flock position then they spar until the less dominant one runs off sometimes getting chased in the process. And that waiting until your back is turned is pretty typical. If I had a tom challenge me I would give him a good swift kick and chase him about til I was sure he got the idea or I was too tired to continue.

Yes you should provide an appropriate sized nest for your hens, and just like chickens they will all try to get in the same nest box all together. We regularly see three and four at a time. Must be more cozy that way.

 

[bunnibird55]

My Big Ben - breeder Naragansett (sp) tom started trying to push me around this past summer and I put a stop to that - I simply grabbed him and carried him over to a bale of hay and sat there holding him - hold the wings down or it feels like your nose is broken from getting hit - I did this every day and it didn't take him too long to realize I am the alpha. Now my husband is another matter. Every time he goes out to the barn, Ben comes after him and my husband will not listen to me and he keeps trying to push him with his foot which only makes Ben more aggressive toward him. All I have to do is yell "Ben" and he gets an innocent look on his face and backs away from my husband. Not sure which is harder to train, the husband or the tom..............

 

[MsMoss]

My dad's female turkeys used to be very very sweet, they started out of the blue attacking him and nipping at him and fluffing up big and doing the I am going to kick your arse walk they do when they are feeling rude. And he hasn't done anything to them either.