Younger turkeys all attacking old female turkey

[CCEllison]

The babies are around 5 months and at first we thought it was the young males trying to establish a pecking order but then noticed they were all going after an old female. Not sure if turkeys try to kill off older turkeys as an evolutionary thing? Thanks for any info!

 

[R2elk]

The babies are around 5 months and at first we thought it was the young males trying to establish a pecking order but then noticed they were all going after an old female. Not sure if turkeys try to kill off older turkeys as an evolutionary thing? Thanks for any info!

It is a pecking order issue. The youngsters are attacking the lowest flock member. Since they can act like juvenile delinquents and can be relentless when they get something in their mind, it is certainly possible for them to kill the older hen. If they were raised by a hen turkey, they would definitely go after any turkeys they see their mama go after expecting her to keep them safe if there is any retaliation.

It hurts to watch an older animal lose its place in the pecking order. Unfortunately mother nature can be very cruel.

 

[CCEllison]

Thank you for your reply. They are free roaming on the property but we may try to grab her today and put her in a pen, at least temporarily in hopes the youngsters 'get it out of their mind' or forget to mess with her!