Turkey shakes and lays down when we approach her

[laurengeeves]

Before Christmas we purchased a turkey as a pet, but I've gone out there today and when I go to touch her she lays down un willing to move or stand on her feet, with her wings out, and shaking? I'm not sure if something has spooked her, can anyone help?

 

[sourland]

Sounds like mating behavior - similar to the 'squat' of laying hens. Is she eating, drinking, and acting normally otherwise?

 

[AshleyMM79]

My turkey is doing the same but she is not spreading her wings. She may drop them (to her side) when she’s near me and laying down but doesn’t reflect the “mating behavior” I’ve read about. Her wings are never “spread out” My husband seems to thing it’s an “impression” thing since she’s acted this way with me since she was a chick. I could pet her and she would go to sleep, now here recently if she sees me she comes running to me and ignores the treat I have. Lays down closes her eyes and just wants me to pet her. She’s about a year old & a Royal Balm

 

[Cryss]

She’s saying you are her Tom/ rooster. It’s the turkey “squat”.

 

[AshleyMM79]

Lol She is attached at the hip and I can’t help her. We did get two more turkeys about 6 months ago one was a Tom and a Fox got him so I guess I need to find her a Tom.

 

[Hummingbird13]

My turkey is doing the same but she is not spreading her wings. She may drop them (to her side) when she’s near me and laying down but doesn’t reflect the “mating behavior” I’ve read about. Her wings are never “spread out” My husband seems to thing it’s an “impression” thing since she’s acted this way with me since she was a chick. I could pet her and she would go to sleep, now here recently if she sees me she comes running to me and ignores the treat I have. Lays down closes her eyes and just wants me to pet her. She’s about a year old & a Royal Balm

Hello,
Is she still doing alright?!
. Ive noticed the "stance" for 2 weeks now. But Cotton just today scared the heck out of me. I pulled up a chair next too run and was just reading out loud. Then noticed Peter ( got 2nd set of birds around Easter hence "Peter") pecking at her neck and also she was trying to hold Cotton up or trying too. At one point Cotton's neck was just hanging down while still standing. Advetually she laid down and Peter started a small sweet call trying to get her up.. Thats when I became very concerned. Cotton seemed unresponsive. My hubby and I both were very worried. I went upstairs to get electrolytes powder. Came back out and she was running down the run with Peter to eat food. And so far everything is normal. Hubby thought maybe Cotton remembered when I played lullabies for them as pullets and she was soaking up my voice soothing her to sleep hard. I hope thats all it was..
I worry a lot with the turkeys since they are prone to so many diseases..
Best wishes and hope all is well!