Turkeys & Chickens

[Picco]

I have a small flock of chickens, standards and bantams, and I am wondering if I could mix turkeys with them. I will be moving to a new house soon and will have plenty of room in the new coop/pasture. I want another species to have with my flock, but waterfowl are too messy. I'm thinking turkeys. I would like birds who could naturally breed, get along well with chickens, and will not fly over a fence. I am interested in royal palms, slates, or bourben reds. Any suggestions?

 

[prariechiken]

As long as your chickens are Blackhead free, I wouldn't see any trouble mixing in some turkeys. Chickens can be carriers of blackhead, which affects/kills turkeys.

 

[Picco]

Other than leg mites (I'm currently treating them) my birds are healthy so I guess I'll get a pair of turkeys, hopefully royal palms. Thanks prariechiken!

 

[justusnak]

"blackhead" ??? Ok, thats a new one....what is that? How do you know IF they have it??

 

[hinkjc]

The key point here is that chickens can 'carry' blackhead. They may never show symptoms, as they are less likely to become ill from it. But they can transmit the disease to turkeys, which is often fatal. You can read more on blackhead here.. http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/cps/rde/xchg/dpi/hs.xsl/27_2733_ENA_Print.htm

There are people who raise chickens and turkeys together quite successfully, however I do not recommend it for various reasons. JMO Disease, size, and feed requirements are just a few reasons I would consider in making my decision.

Jody

 

[thepetpaw]

I have two turkeys - slate and a royal palm jake, they roost, eat and free range with my chickens - this has been happening for about 2 months and no problems yet....like i said they roost together!

 

[lorieMN]

I would make sure the turkeys you get are babies,you put them with anything smaller then them and they will pick on them,sometimes enough to do damage or kill them,when they are raised with them from babies they know they are part of the flock and this wont happen..hopefully,..I have decided my 13 slates are going in the freezer,they run around and stalk us and act like a gang of hoodlems getting into trouble,I kicked them out on free range cause they were eating so much,it has helped the feed consumption,but they are irritating little s.o.b's ..a pair is fun,a flock is not..

 

[BeardedChick]

Turkeys can fly over most fences. Mine (Bourbon Red) have made it up onto the roof.

I moved them out of the brooder at 7 weeks old and into their new coop, and they easily flew up to a 6 ft. pony wall the first night. I didn't realize how well they could fly right away...

I kept the turkeys separate from the chickens for a few months, but now they mingle in free range. I don't keep them cooped together at night, tho.

 

[sandspoultry]

We have always raised our chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, peafowl, guineas together from day one and have had zero issues in many years.

Steve in NC