Turkey troubles

[silkielover88]

So I have this turkey that has been my baby since day one! He imprinted on me and has always been my shadow, he's 6 months old now and my boyfriend fed him when I was at work yesterday and said my turkey attacked him! A few weeks ago I had him out and he puffed up and was following my boyfriend around,Flew at his face and tried to spur him! He's always been around my dear pita and he had never acted that way before. I went to his pen tonight and he acted just fine, still let's me pick him up and pet him, no aggressive sounds or actions from him to me. So why is he only acting this way to my boyfriend? I would really hate to have to get rid of him as he is still my baby, I just find it odd that his behavior is so different between the two of us.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

Sounds like your turkey is trying to dominate your boyfriend. Perhaps the turkey sees your boyfriend as a rival for your affections. While I don't have experience with this in turkeys (mine seem inquisitive and nosey with everyone but not aggressive) I have heard of this kind of behavior with both roosters and dogs. The solution is sort of the same, making sure the humans take the place of pack/flock leader, not backing down to the dog/rooster/turkey. I've heard people suggest you pick up an aggressive rooster and carry it around under your arm for awhile to put it in its place. I don't know if that would work with a turkey, considering the size. Otherwise, if your boyfriend isn't interested in working that hard, just keep the turkey locked up while he is around.

 

[PaigeBundy]

I grew up with chickens and a Tom turkey living together in harmony when I was a kid. So, when a friend offered up their 2.5 year old (georgous) male turkey because they were moving I said "sure!!".. At first everything was great, he was very friendly. He really seems to love our 6 chickens.

But after about 2 weeks of being here our young nephews came over and he attacked one of them! to be honest, they are pretty aggravating so I couldn't blame him... I'd kind of like to attack them myself sometimes and probably would if i was a turkey... But now he has become VERY aggressive to us! He doesn't seem to mind the dogs or the cat. And he still loves the girls- they just roam and eat all day. The people gave us his old coop, so he roosts himself in his coop at night and the girls go to theirs it initially was a great set up.

But now he literally chases me around the house... literally all the way around.. I ran and he ran after me gobbling and hissing 360 around the house!! As long as i have a stick to keep his distance i can go about my buisness but he circles me constantly trying to spur me.. I really love my chickens and i miss spending time with them because Tom is such a nuisance.

I really didn't expect this at all because our Tom turkey when I was a kid was so sweet. And he cooped with the chickens and life was grand.
He was really pleasant at first until the first attack... but now he is a terror to everyone - its been 2 weeks now

I am really embarrassed... my husband keeps saying "I thought you said turkeys were great pets!!"... honestly I thought they were!!! We loved ours when we were kids!!!!

I'm looking for advice too... hope it works out between you and your main men :-/

Maybe its hormonal? do turkeys go into heat in the fall?

 

[beardedmessman]

Sounds like your turkey is trying to dominate your boyfriend.  Perhaps the turkey sees your boyfriend as a rival for your affections.  While I don't have experience with this in turkeys (mine seem inquisitive and nosey with everyone but not aggressive) I have heard of this kind of behavior with both roosters and dogs.  The solution is sort of the same, making sure the humans take the place of pack/flock leader, not backing down to the dog/rooster/turkey.  I've heard people suggest you pick up an aggressive rooster and carry it around under your arm for awhile to put it in its place.  I don't know if that would work with a turkey, considering the size.  Otherwise, if your boyfriend isn't interested in working that hard, just keep the turkey locked up while he is around.

Lol, you hit the nail right on the head.

 

[silkielover88]

Yea I've had him locked up and I've been the only one taking care of him since the incident. Luckily he's still light enough where I can carry him around and he's fine, but my boyfriend won't even try. Breaks my heart to keep him locked up but at least I know he won't be trouble in his coop

 

[HLhomestead]

It sounds like what everyone else is saying.....What has worked for us is to puck him up and pack him around all day while you do your chores that usually helps....hope it workd