Turkeys with chickens

[vonkettle]

I want to raise about a half dozen turkeys for meat. However I have a flock of chickens and ducks on my property as well. I have 2 acres of land. My chickens and ducks are housed altogether. How far would chickens need to be away from turkeys in case of the black head disease. Or should I not even bother.

 

[FarmalI]

Some would say that turkeys and chickens are not a good idea, but I would raise your turkeys on the opposite side of the yard from your chickens. I know you want to eat them,but when they get closer to full growth then you can let them around your chickens...
When the turkeys are little they are more susceptible to the disease, but as they get older the have a better chance of not contracting it.

 

[vonkettle]

I was looking into a breed of turkeys were they would be butchered within 20-26 weeks so after that there would be no more turkeys. I was going to make a coop down back further. There would be at least 1/2 acre between them maybe more. Depending on where I can put the fencing. If it works out good I will want to order them again. It will be the first time raising turkeys. I am just very attached to my chickens and ducks and don't want to put them in harm.

 

[FarmalI]

What do you mean by putting them in harm,, who is them?

 

[vonkettle]

them is my chickens. I have heard horror stories and was told to do my research. Blackhead disease can kill other poultry. I just do not want to get my chickens and ducks ill.

 

[FarmalI]

Chickens are the carriers of black head, so they are immuned to it, ducks dont seem to get it, but turkeys are susceptible to it.So for black head, you dont have to worry about your chickens or ducks.

 

[sms4g2]

I too was worried about keeping turkeys and chickens together, but since dual housing was out of the question for me, I found a local breeder who has raised all of her poultry together for generations. When she started, she did lose some turkeys to blackhead, but has since developed a flock of birds that remain healthy and vigorous despite living with the chickens and the loss of a poult is a rare thing. This strategy has worked nicely for me. My 3 young turkeys lived with my small flock of layers and have grown into beautiful and healthy birds!

Good Luck!

 

[FarmalI]

ok, thanks

 

[casportpony]

them is my chickens. I have heard horror stories and was told to do my research. Blackhead disease can kill other poultry. I just do not want to get my chickens and ducks ill.

Turkeys won't give blackhead to your chickens and ducks.

Chickens are the carriers of black head, so they are immuned to it, ducks dont seem to get it, but turkeys are susceptible to it.So for black head, you dont have to worry about your chickens or ducks.

Chickens are not immune to it, but they tend to do better than turkeys, peafowl and other gamebirds do.

Blackhead can be managed with regular worming and treated with metronidazole (Flagyl, Fish-Zole) if caught soon enough. Read this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/804570/coping-with-blackhead

-Kathy

 

[Kekko]

Call your Local County Extension Agent (Look in the phone book) Black Head is not a problem in many areas of the country! They can tell you if your area is one that Black Head is problematic. Also give you advise on how to control it. Black Head is usually not a problem in dry climates. Chickens are more resistant to the disease but they can and do get/carry it.

It’s caused by the cecal worm that “can be” in the ground, Chickens scratch and pick it up and then transmite it to Turkeys through the chicken droppings!

Just do your homework for your area would be the safest advise!