Turkeys as pets?

[Liv's chickens]

Hello everyone! I have been wanting to raise turkeys as pets for a couple years now. I have definitely ruled out that I want to own heritage turkeys but I’m not set on a certain breed. I adore the look of the blue slates, but having the best turkeys for pets is most important. I have a few questions about raising turkeys.

Is there a certain breed that’s best for being pets? Do blue slates make good pets?

Can they free range with my chickens or are they likely to get blackhead?

I don’t want many turkeys, so what is the best minimum for turkeys and what is the best ratio of males to females?


Do they need to be fenced in if I train them from an early age?

Any info if much appreciated, thanks everyone!

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

Hi there!

I keep mine just as pets too.

We a royal palm hen and a blue slate Tom, they’re both very sweet. However the hen is like a little puppy dog, always following you and asking for attention. I do have one Tom to one hen which I don’t recommend, he’s a real old boy so he’s very slow now which is the only reason why we have this ratio.

I personally allow mine to free range with my chickens. There is a possibility of blackhead but you’ll find out after you get them. Ours get along really well.

They don’t need to be fenced in, they know to go in at night just like chickens do.

 

[R2elk]

Hello everyone! I have been wanting to raise turkeys as pets for a couple years now. I have definitely ruled out that I want to own heritage turkeys but I’m not set on a certain breed. I adore the look of the blue slates, but having the best turkeys for pets is most important. I have a few questions about raising turkeys.

Is there a certain breed that’s best for being pets? Do blue slates make good pets?

Can they free range with my chickens or are they likely to get blackhead?

I don’t want many turkeys, so what is the best minimum for turkeys and what is the best ratio of males to females?


Do they need to be fenced in if I train them from an early age?

Any info if much appreciated, thanks everyone!

All domestic turkeys are the same breed which is Turkey. You can learn about many of the heritage varieties at Porter's Rare Heritage Turkeys.

How the poults are raised will determine how they are as adults. Turkey poults imprint very easily. I do not recommend imprinting because it removes their ability to understand the difference between them and whatever ever they were imprinted by once they become adults.

If you just want to have a couple of turkeys for pets, get a couple of young hens. You can accustom them to becoming your pets by spending a lot of time with them until they no longer fear you.

For breeding purposes, I prefer to keep a minimum of at least 4 to 5 hens for one tom. Keeping too few hens with a tom can be harmful to the hen's health.

 

[Liv's chickens]

Hi there!

I keep mine just as pets too.

We a royal palm hen and a blue slate Tom, they’re both very sweet. However the hen is like a little puppy dog, always following you and asking for attention. I do have one Tom to one hen which I don’t recommend, he’s a real old boy so he’s very slow now which is the only reason why we have this ratio.

I personally allow mine to free range with my chickens. There is a possibility of blackhead but you’ll find out after you get them. Ours get along really well.

They don’t need to be fenced in, they know to go in at night just like chickens do.

Thank you so much! This is very helpful.

 

[Liv's chickens]

All domestic turkeys are the same breed which is Turkey. You can learn about many of the heritage varieties at Porter's Rare Heritage Turkeys.

How the poults are raised will determine how they are as adults. Turkey poults imprint very easily. I do not recommend imprinting because it removes their ability to understand the difference between them and whatever ever they were imprinted by once they become adults.

If you just want to have a couple of turkeys for pets, get a couple of young hens. You can accustom them to becoming your pets by spending a lot of time with them until they no longer fear you.

For breeding purposes, I prefer to keep a minimum of at least 4 to 5 hens for one tom. Keeping too few hens with a tom can be harmful to the hen's health.

Thank you for the information! I really appreciate it!

 

[Sea Wolf]

Had a Royal Palm hen. Wonderful and friendly bird. Came when called and would jump up onto your arm if you held it out. ... Was funny when she was smaller and I taught her that. Was rather scary when she got bigger. Had her from a day old chick and raised her. Was just like a dog and followed you everywhere and got into everything you were doing outside.