turkey pacing

[iron chicken]

i have a 1 white turkey, and it keeps pacing. is it because it is lonley or nervous?

 

[ivan3]

The most common reason for `compulsive' pacing is stress. Any changes in turk's environment prior to onset? How long has this been going on?
Seeing rest of flock (or human it imprinted on) on other side of fence (near - or far away) will often trigger the `march'. Lack of stimulation can result in `distracted' pacing, that sometimes develops into a habitual behavior.
Pacing (pushing/rubbing) against/along run fencing (especially small gauge chicken wire) can result in loss of feathers and abrasions to skin of breast (in particular) in heavier varieties.

Some more info about turk and its situation would be useful.

 

[PekinBantam]

Has the turkey been in any "stressing" situations lately? Like being chased by a predator within the coop.

 

[iron chicken]

well first it has an injured wing from getting it caught in a fence or somthing. The person i got it from had three, then he took two to show in the fair. After he took the others this one freaked out and it started pacing and making loud noises, then he sold it to me and i put it in with my chickens and the roosters attacked it so i built it another pen and it will only stop pacing sometimse like when you go into the pen it willl come up to you and start acting normal.

I think it is a broad breasted white

 

[ivan3]

iron chicken wrote: ...The person i got it from had three, then he took two to show in the fair. After he took the others this one freaked out and it started pacing and making loud noises... ...it will only stop pacing sometimes, like when you go into the pen, it will come up to you and start acting normal. I think it is a broad breasted white

2/3 of its flock disappeared suddenly and, just as suddenly, it had to adjust to new `alpha tom' (new human) and was being attacked by roos. Pacing is expected. Not good for feed conversion if it is headed for an appt. with the oven. If not, stress seems to diminish robust immune response to challenges from this, or that, disease vector.

Maybe spend a little bit of time ranging it around, keep a few grapes in pocket to feed it, grab a few grasshoppers for it. They do adjust., it just takes them more time than other species of poultry. If you don't plan on eating it, get another turkey.

Good luck!

 

[iron chicken]

Thanks for the help!

 

[Andrewdp123]

Is there any way to stop the turkey from pacing in the fence? I had to let My Tom out from his pen because he was losing feathers and now I feel like my hen is lonely.

 

[farmgirl360]

My 3 turkeys are with a Pygmy goat and only do this if a person comes near or feed but nothing different has changed and is is winter and I am concerned about the feather loss they do not have grass in there pen I haven't ever really let them out due to my last flock was ate by dogs when I came home. From school. Any suggestions?