When to allow Tom in pasture with Hen and babies?

[Ms Kim]

Our 2 1/2 year old Narragansett Turkey pair just hatched the first successful brood of chicks. This was the 3rd try. Because we believe the 2nd try, early this spring was destroyed by the sexually frustrated Tom who after great thrashing sounds from the pair in the coop where she was brooding, we found all of the eggs Crushed(which sadly were viable and ready to hatch in 4-5 days). The hen was very upset and crying out during and after the turmoil with him. Apparently we have heard the Tom's need way more than one hen because of their appetite.
The hen had made a nest this time on the north side of our burn pile to be out of the sun. The Tom and our two chicken hens ranged freely in our fenced acre pasture leaving the brooding turkey hen alone. When they all hatched out last week and Momma turkey started taking the kids around we kept an eye on the Tom. When he saw she was out, he ran towards her, she got nervous, called the chicks and squatted so they could be under her. He did his strut stuff and obviously wanted her but stayed away. Fearing for the chicks we clipped one side of his wings and put him in a 20X30 fenced area within the pasture. We did not want to take any chances after waiting 2 1/2 years for these chicks. Of course he is a bit anxious and walks up and down the fence line.
The question is, are we being smart or over cautious with the Tom? Second question, how old do the turkey chicks need to be before we know they will be safe around the Tom?

 

[rjohns39]

Our 2 1/2 year old Narragansett Turkey pair just hatched the first successful brood of chicks. This was the 3rd try. Because we believe the 2nd try, early this spring was destroyed by the sexually frustrated Tom who after great thrashing sounds from the pair in the coop where she was brooding, we found all of the eggs Crushed(which sadly were viable and ready to hatch in 4-5 days). The hen was very upset and crying out during and after the turmoil with him. Apparently we have heard the Tom's need way more than one hen because of their appetite.
The hen had made a nest this time on the north side of our burn pile to be out of the sun. The Tom and our two chicken hens ranged freely in our fenced acre pasture leaving the brooding turkey hen alone. When they all hatched out last week and Momma turkey started taking the kids around we kept an eye on the Tom. When he saw she was out, he ran towards her, she got nervous, called the chicks and squatted so they could be under her. He did his strut stuff and obviously wanted her but stayed away. Fearing for the chicks we clipped one side of his wings and put him in a 20X30 fenced area within the pasture. We did not want to take any chances after waiting 2 1/2 years for these chicks. Of course he is a bit anxious and walks up and down the fence line.
The question is, are we being smart or over cautious with the Tom? Second question, how old do the turkey chicks need to be before we know they will be safe around the Tom?

I incubate rather than let the girls hatch them--but I keep mine away from everyone until they are 8 weeks old. That said, I lost a 14 week old to a Tom trying to mate her. Now all the young avoid the Toms. I've also got wild turkeys wandering around the property, while the hens are raising their poults they band together and stay far away from the Toms.

 

[Ms Kim]

I incubate rather than let the girls hatch them--but I keep mine away from everyone until they are 8 weeks old. That said, I lost a 14 week old to a Tom trying to mate her. Now all the young avoid the Toms. I've also got wild turkeys wandering around the property, while the hens are raising their poults they band together and stay far away from the Toms.

 

[Ms Kim]

I incubate rather than let the girls hatch them--but I keep mine away from everyone until they are 8 weeks old. That said, I lost a 14 week old to a Tom trying to mate her. Now all the young avoid the Toms. I've also got wild turkeys wandering around the property, while the hens are raising their poults they band together and stay far away from the Toms.

RJohns, thanks for your reply. This makes sense that we should keep the Tom's separate for some months. Just found out that the Narragansett turkeys do not have a good or speedy feed to meat conversion ratio which supports our observations. I'm thinking about going back to raising just a couple bronze turkey poults each year. Our hen is a good Mom and the Tom is handsome but wondering if they are worth it. Do you know if 2 1/2 year old Narragansett turkey are edible or more like a mature rooster? Thanks, Kim

 

[rjohns39]

RJohns, thanks for your reply. This makes sense that we should keep the Tom's separate for some months. Just found out that the Narragansett turkeys do not have a good or speedy feed to meat conversion ratio which supports our observations. I'm thinking about going back to raising just a couple bronze turkey poults each year. Our hen is a good Mom and the Tom is handsome but wondering if they are worth it. Do you know if 2 1/2 year old Narragansett turkey are edible or more like a mature rooster? Thanks, Kim

yes they are--but you'll want to consider braising the leg quarters and slow roasting (325 degrees) the breast and wings in a covered roaster. You're poults will be ready at 24 weeks if all goes well. If you process the birds make sure you let them rest in the refrigerator for 3-5 days before freezing.

 

[Ms Kim]

yes they are--but you'll want to consider braising the leg quarters and slow roasting (325 degrees) the breast and wings in a covered roaster. You're poults will be ready at 24 weeks if all goes well. If you process the birds make sure you let them rest in the refrigerator for 3-5 days before freezing.

Rjohn,
Great Info, thanks yet again for your help.

 

[Indyshent]

The broad breasted are better meat birds, if you're looking for feed conversion ratios and enormous breasts. However, they're prone to a plethora of health woes and can't breed naturally, unlike your Narragansetts. Heritage birds supposedly have superior flavor.

You should try to get some more hens and/or a different tom. More hens will spread out the libido and give him some outlets. I've pondered getting a hen dummy from hunting supplies for just that reason. Otherwise, get a different boy. Not all of them become poult - raping machines, so trading out a boy for one with child-friendly attributes sounds like a better way to go.