Turkey Tom Starting to get 'Testy"

[Black Feather]

Just wondering what to do with my adult turkey tom who is starting to get a bit testy? He's been ready great up until about a week and a half ago when he has started testing me when I go into the pen to give him and his girls feed and water. Nothing too serious yet, but I don't fancy getting pecked and strutted at when I go into the pen. Should I separate him from the girls for a while to let him settle down?

Urban Coyote

 

[lilchick]

I have a bronze tom turkey that I raised. He was friendly till he matured and started strutting. Now I have to use a stick when going in the pen EVERY time or he will come up to me and jump up and hit with his feet.
I do not think he will change his behavior no matter what you do. Just carry a stick or use your bucket to fend him off...
Look at the good things about it... mine guards the pen and NOBODY will go in there... I even made a sign "beware of turkey" and hung on the fence!!!

 

[Black Feather]

Darn......you mean threatening to invite him to "Christmas Dinner" as the main participant won't do the trick?

He's not too bad yet, but I don't know how much they will escalate once they start. I'm not afraid of him at all, just don't really want to deal with it.

Urban Coyote

 

[ams3651]

hes looking for a girlfriend, we had one when I was a kid that would chase us every summer. There was a post on here somewhere that mentioned how to discourage him, maybe someone remembers......

 

[Black Feather]

He already has three girlfriends....and besides, he's not my type!

 

[ams3651]

ours liked my sister the most, chased her down the road on a regualr basis. She's a city girl born on a farm, she hated him.

 

[southernsibe]

How old is the turkey?
I have one tom that adores my daughter. She is only 2 years old, and he follows her every where. He is also very protective of me and the rest of the family.
I think you can discourage this behavior, and yes there was a post here about it, I will look for it.

Rachel

ETA
Here is the link to the post
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=42373

 

[Meesh]

besides, he's not my type!

- Michelle​

 

[PearlD]

Ugggg......I feel your pain! I just said 'adios' to my RB Tom Coolio. He became impossible to deal with, so he went to live with a friend who has no kids he could injure. It seemed like the more hens we had, the meaner he got.

I can empathize with those 'carrying a stick' stories!! Whew...it's such a relief to be able to walk in the yard with no fear!! I had weapons stashed all over the yard just in case he snuck up on me.....