Turkeys and Chickens Together

[frank53061]

Red Bourbons Turkeys are so Funny as they grew up.
I had some older Chickens free ranged with the Turkeys and the older Chickens would chase the Turkeys off when there would be food thrown from the back door for them to eat and the little feathered pigs would not allow the Turkeys to get to the treats.
Now at 5 months of age the Turkeys are 3 times the size of the Chickens and now when the treats get thrown out the turkeys and Chickens come running but the now the Chickens have watch out so they don't get rune over in the stamped

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[maidenwolfx80]

That is the same story here. I have 5 turkey and 17 chickens and they get along just fine until my alpha roo tries to dominate a turkey and he is shown quickly that this is not going to happen. They are so funny I love watching them interact.

 

[foulweather]

I was wondering about raising turkeys and chickens together. I have not raised either before. I am just now finishing up a new house and am planning for chicken housing for spring. Do you need a separate space for the turkeys for sleeping time? Do they use the same type of laying boxes as the chickens do? I ordered a book a few days ago on raising turkeys but don't have it yet. I found this site so was happy to see all the information here.
Thanks.

 

[Kevin565]

I was wondering about raising turkeys and chickens together. I have not raised either before. I am just now finishing up a new house and am planning for chicken housing for spring. Do you need a separate space for the turkeys for sleeping time? Do they use the same type of laying boxes as the chickens do? I ordered a book a few days ago on raising turkeys but don't have it yet. I found this site so was happy to see all the information here.
Thanks.

This is my first year raising them so I don't have much advice but

 

[foulweather]

Thanks, I look forward to hearing progress with your flock.

 

[frank53061]

I was wondering about raising turkeys and chickens together. I have not raised either before. I am just now finishing up a new house and am planning for chicken housing for spring. Do you need a separate space for the turkeys for sleeping time? Do they use the same type of laying boxes as the chickens do? I ordered a book a few days ago on raising turkeys but don't have it yet. I found this site so was happy to see all the information here.
Thanks.

Think of it this way 2 to 3 times more room for each Turkey as you would have for a chicken.
Roost space nesting box or run.
That would be a good rule of thumb and also the feed needed that would be close to whats needed.
This also depends on the breed as far as food consumption I here the Double breasted can really put some food away.
Raising chickens and Turkeys together check you area for black head state agri Dept, might have that Information.
If you raise Poults and Chicks together no adults and your area is clear of black head then there is almost no way to contract it.
If your area is clear there is a slim chance that the adult Chickens could give the Poults Black Head depending were you got them as adults.
If you raised the Chickens from Chicks and your area is clear of black head the you would be safe to raise Poults.
Feed the Poults Game feed starter till 10 weeks don't let them even touch the ground till 10 weeks also dry and then you can ween them off the starter then put them on Chicken Laying pellets and free range if possible from here there is a lot more learning to be done I'm still learning.

 

[foulweather]

Thanks for the info. I never heard of black head. Good idea to get both chicks and poults at the same time though. I hadn't thought of that. Then they would be use to each other also. So would not struggle with pecking order.

 

[frank53061]

Dont forget that Poults need higher protien than Chicks do they will need to be fed the game bird starter for the first 10 weeks weening them off by mixing laying pellets.
it will not harm the Chicks to eat the game bird starter it will make them grow like weeds LOL.
Here is a picture of my Poults and Chicks together.

 

[foulweather]

They are adorable. I can't wait to start my flock next spring.

 

[michkaz]

Hi, we have had chickens for a few years now and we have jsut moved to a lifestyle block and decided to get turkeys too... we had 8 hens and one rooster. i just bought a breeding pair of turkeys ( they are bronze....)> They have been here for a week and a half and all has been great. All the birds are completely free range roming all over the place. Tonight though as i walked towards the pig pen (which is right beside all the nesting area) i saw something i wish i hadnt seen!!!!!!!!! The tom was on top of the rooster and was killing it!!!!! The rooster was covered in blood and i had my baby in his sling so i was trying to kick the turkey off but all the while protecting my baby!!! I finally managed to push him off and leave enough time for the rooster to escape... but i am affraid i might find him dead tomorrow...he looked rather unwell!!! What a gruesome picture! Not the idea of my beautiful peaceful little farm!!! Any advices welcome.. not sure what is next for us???
Cheers