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Are Turkeys Aggressive Towards Chickens?

So, keeping the two in the same area really doesn’t cause too much drama. In fact, turkey hens often act as a mediator of sorts amongst chickens. They have been seen breaking up fights, and in some cases, getting an unruly rooster under control.

Do chickens and turkey get along?

One of the main ways to keep turkeys healthy is too NOT raise chickens and turkeys together. When turkeys and chickens are raised together, turkeys run a high risk of contracting the disease histomoniasis, also known as blackhead.

Do turkeys bully chickens?

Turkeys are generally not very aggressive with the chickens. However, they will protect the hens vigorously. If a rooster gets a little too rough with the hens, he may find himself on the discipline end of a turkey’s wrath. Some people have even found the turkeys will kill a rooster if the rooster is too aggressive.

Will turkeys try to mate with chickens?

What do you get when you mate a chicken with a turkey? You can get a turkey/chicken hybrid, but for some reason they only produce male eggs. We recently got a turken mixed in with our austalorp eggs, which is not a fancy hybrid, just a breed of chicken that has a neck like a turkey.

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Do turkeys return to coop at night?

Turkeys will roost anywhere except where you want them to.
They would go in the coop at night with no problems and roost with the chickens.

Will turkeys protect chickens from hawks?

Will turkeys protect chickens? Turkeys are not known to be good guard animals. They may be more aware of predators than chickens and have been known to fight a hawk but that is more to save themselves then chickens. Most turkeys will turn and run for shelter.

Do turkeys need a coop?

If you plan to raise your turkeys from poults, then the answer to “Do turkeys need a coop?” is a resounding yes. Once the poults outgrow their brooder, they will need a secure coop at night, just like any other type of poultry.

Are turkeys good for your yard?

The birds eat many pesky insects, and a flock of turkeys nearby can be ideal pest control for a yard. Turkeys are also beloved for their association with the Thanksgiving holiday.

Do turkeys bond with humans?

Turkeys form strong social bonds and show affection towards one another. Turkeys are gentle creatures who enjoy socializing with human companions and protecting other turkeys with whom they’ve bonded.

Are turkeys aggressive?

Turkeys may attempt to dominate or attack people that they view as subordinates, and this behavior is observed most often during breeding season. They may also respond aggressively and peck shiny objects like windows or automobiles, interpreting their own reflection as an intruding turkey.

Can turkeys free range?

Feeding on Pasture
There’s no such thing as raising a turkey on pasture only. They won’t get the protein they need to grow out. Therefore, you must continue to give them proper food and water though they’re free-ranging on your property. It’s like free-ranging chickens.

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Why do we not eat turkey eggs?

Culinary factors also contribute to the dearth of turkey egg consumption. Turkey eggs have a thicker and tougher shell membrane and are harder to break than chicken eggs. Furthermore, most recipes are designed for the amount of liquid in a chicken egg.

Are turkeys cleaner than chickens?

It may sound counter intuitive, but turkeys are less messy in my experience than chickens. Even though turkeys are larger than chickens, and the waste load is in fact larger, I still feel like the turkey coop stays a lot cleaner than the chicken coop. Mostly that’s due to the behavior of turkeys.

How many turkeys should you have?

Turkeys should be kept in groups of at least three to six birds.

What is the best animal to protect chickens?

The most common one to use to protect chickens is the goose. Geese are very territorial and can be quite aggressive. You don’t need to train them to protect poultry like a dog, either. Even if the predator is too big for your goose to fight off, they can make enough racket to get your attention!

What animal will protect chickens from hawks?

Dogs
Dogs are great at keeping hawks away from chickens. Remember, hawks have been known to carry off small cats and dogs, so it’s probably in your best interest to get a larger dog. The hawks will most likely steer clear of your yard altogether if they see a dog with the chickens.

What breed of dog protects chickens?

The Great Pyrenees has been used as a livestock guardian for hundreds of years because of its excellent disposition and its natural guarding instincts. This dog can be extremely aggressive toward predators, but is also a wonderful companion to gentle and helpless small animals like chickens.

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Do turkeys need to be locked up at night?

Because of this, turkeys must be closed into their indoor space before dusk and should not be let out again until the sun is coming up in the morning. Therefore, turkeys require an indoor living space that will keep them protected from all predators while they are closed in overnight.

Do turkeys need to be fenced in?

Whether your turkeys are allowed free movement over range pasture or are being confined in a pen area, the fencing material should be as high as possible, at least four feet, given that these birds can and will fly.

How cold can turkeys tolerate?

Turkeys are overall hardy animals, meaning they are able to withstand low temperatures (below 20°F) for periods of time.

Do turkeys ruin lawns?

Unfortunately, their relative harmlessness may not extend to your yard and garden. In their quest for the insects that make up part of their diet, turkeys will scratch around in your grass and through your flowerbeds. Their big feet can do a lot of incidental damage.

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