turkeys hate each other

[karen dee]

I have 3 young Broad Breasted White turkeys that I've raised from a couple of days old. They started fighting so I separated them. Can't let any of the 3 loose near another's pen without them getting into a fight thru the fence. What is wrong?? I believe there is one tom and 2 hens. I'd think that would be heaven.

 

[sourland]

I know next to nothing about turkeys, but it sounds as if they are trying to establish their pecking order.

 

[karen dee]

Thanks for your input. I never had turkeys before and maybe the first time they fought I should not have intervened. But, one got anothers head down on the cement and was just hitting it like a piledriver with his beak and the other would not fight back. Just cried terribly. Then when I took one out, the other 2 grabbed each others necks and wouldn't let go. They were about 7=8 weeks old, I think. Maybe I am just too protective of them. I ordered chickens. I did not want turkeys. MY friend got them for me. If I can't sell them it won't be long before they can be butchered and my dilema will be over.

 

[sourland]

I was thinking an early Thanksgiving would resolve the situation.

To me there is something robotic, spacey, zombieish about turkeys.

 

[zekii]

Yes..pecking order in progress... I hatched 10 midget whites this year, and with my luck
only 2 are hens...yes 8 toms, and once a day they fight ...dragging each other around by the head. No blood baths yet just some scratches. When they are fighting it's like I don't even exists.. I have to pull them apart, but then they go right back at it.
Will have a nice full freezer by October

 

[frank53061]

I have seventeen Bourbon Reds 4 Toms and the rest Hens there are some knock down drag out fighting from time to time but Like zekii stated there is no bloody messes after words I don't know that I have read here of any deaths accruing from these pecking order battle Royal's.
I know it seems brutal at times but this is part of the animals nature the Strongest Tom gets the prize that's what makes for a healthier breed.

I am new to Turkeys and it may be that the ratio of Toms to Hens that you have may makes it more intense and that is what you are seeing.

Good Luck.

 

[flocksalot]

That fighting is as normal as strutting. I would let them work it out and soon their pecking order will be established. My two BBW hens kicked the snot out of the two toms I wintered over all winter long, and when they had established their dominance there they went after each other. Gracie is the instigator, but Eva usually ends up on top. This years first batch of BBW jakes are between 25 and 30 lbs. right now and Gracie has taken to threatening them any time I'm out there or near one of them. They are very possesive and protective of me and my son. My husband they could do without.

We even have the little Midget Whites attempting to take on the largest of the BBWs. It used to be really funning watching the tiny ones run around between the big ones feet and then fly at them to attack. I have most of my ages out together, but the youngest that are only 5 weeks, also MWs, are in a pen out near the others and they fly at the bigger turkeys trying to pick a fight, and off course smack into the fence they go. I don't worry too much about them as they can pretty much take care of themselves, but I did have a MW with a pretty large torn spot on his neck that I had to repair. Little bugger got down from surgery and went and attacked the biggest tom.

This fighting is why the large commercial places will debeak and clip their snoods.

My Midget Whites also chase off the ducks and geese that used to come and pinch the BBWs. Yeah, for those fiesty little Midgets! If something starts running they run right after it. The chickens have stopped coming up the hill to steal the turkey food.

 

[karen dee]

LOL! I was never drawn to turkeys. I thought they were weird too. But, these are so entertaining. I now love that silly look on their faces. Pricilla seems to show off for me. If I could keep them together I wouldn't sell them, but, being separated they are taking up room need for my young chickens.
Yes, an early thanks giving would definately take care of the problem! Just hoping someone else would take advantage of these and eat them themselves.