Why is turkey trying to kill my other turkey

[Over_Easy47]

I have 2 turkeys around 12 weeks old, one is smaller than the other so I'm thinking shes maybe a female. So the big turkey is stepping on her, she was flipped over on her back squrming so I had to pick her up..now he's going after her, jumping and trying to pexk her eyes out? Is there any reason why this is happening? Anyways I can solve the issue? I really didn't want to have to break them apart.
They are bronze turkeys

 

[sourland]

@R2elk - any advice. If it were me, I would separate them, but that may be the wrong move.

 

[R2elk]

I have 2 turkeys around 12 weeks old, one is smaller than the other so I'm thinking shes maybe a female. So the big turkey is stepping on her, she was flipped over on her back squrming so I had to pick her up..now he's going after her, jumping and trying to peck her eyes out? Is there any reason why this is happening? Anyways I can solve the issue? I really didn't want to have to break them apart.
They are bronze turkeys

There can be any number of reasons from food aggression effects, dominance issues or just plain old jealousy.

Food Effect on Aggressive Turkeys

There are also just plain mean turkeys around due to the indiscriminate breeding habits practiced by backyard breeders.

If they are not being fed or have not been fed a proper turkey or gamebird food, I would start by giving them a good turkey or gamebird grower (usually 24% protein). Keep them separated for awhile and only allow supervised visits until confirming that the aggression issues are over. Provide hiding places so that the smaller one can escape the aggression of the larger one. Hiding places need to have both an entrance and exit so the one hiding cannot get trapped.

 

[Over_Easy47]

Yes they eat game bird feed. They are now separated. I'm sitting with the one now, cannot move, open eyes barely, but is breathing and will bring it's head up every so often

 

[Over_Easy47]

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[Over_Easy47]

What can I do? Open to anything..I'm new to them.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Yes they eat game bird feed. They are now separated. I'm sitting with the one now, cannot move, open eyes barely, but is breathing and will bring it's head up every so often

Do you think she happened to have issues showing before the other beat her up?

Give her a place to rest up, she may be exhausted... and after a couple hours I would try enticing a drink.

 

[Over_Easy47]

Opened eyes, drank some water, and spazzed out in the yard then passed..feels better now.

 

[Ryder]

I am a little confused is she alive or did she pass?

 

[R2elk]

Yes they eat game bird feed. They are now separated. I'm sitting with the one now, cannot move, open eyes barely, but is breathing and will bring it's head up every so often

Depending on where you buy it, some companies try to pass off unsuitable feed as game bird feed. Our local TSC recently advertised in their flyer that their Dumor 20% protein chick starter is appropriate for turkey poults and game birds. They do not care a tiny little bit about the health of your poultry and only care about their profit line.

Sometimes, healthy turkeys will kill unhealthy members of the flock. If the smaller one was already having issues before being attacked, it might have been the reason for the attack.