Turkey in the spring

[Chicken Frenzie]

Hi everyone! I have never raised a turkey before, and I was just wondering of someone could help me! Is it okay to get a baby turkey (a girl) with about 7 other baby chicks? Can they live together when they're older? We have plenty of coop space and a very large free range space.
Thanks!

 

[chicmom]

Yes it is. I always raise my poults (baby turkeys) with chicks. That's how the breeder told me to do it, and it seems to work well. Baby turkeys are just not the brightest bulbs in the package, so they learn from the chicks. I do keep my chicken areas pretty clean though. There is a chance that turkeys can get black head disease from being raised with chickens and coming in contact with their poop. But I've never had that happen.

The only problem I had with my turkey tom was, I bought a new rooster once, in a breeding trio of Buckeyes, and my turkey hated that new rooster and attacked him visciously. I had to break it up and keep them apart.

 

[Chicken Frenzie]

Okay, thanks! Also,
What's the best breed just to have as a pet?
Can turkeys eat the same things as chickens?
How often do turkey's lay eggs?
Will they need a bigger nesting box than the chickens?
Where do they sleep? (For example my chickens sleep on perches high up on thecoop, do the turkeys do that too)?
Do you have to clip the turkey's wings so they don't fly away?
Are there any special needs for a turkey?

THANK YOU!! I really appreciate your time!

 

[CoopersTurkeys]

Any heritage breed will work, commercial breeds will not live long enough. Turkeys need a higher protein feed then chickens. Turkeys only lay eggs in the spring if there is a male with them. They sleep on roosts so as long as there is a high place its fine.

 

[Chicken Frenzie]

Do you have to clip their wings?

 

[nanclapper]

Do you have to clip their wings?

You might if they are flying out of their yard. I clip just one wing, especially on the young poults when they are old enough to go outside. I have dogs and I don't want to risk one of my turkeys getting out when the dogs are running around.