Because they are so docile and friendly, turkeys can peacefully live amongst chickens and various other types of livestock. Turkeys make excellent pets, provided you can provide them with ample space and shelter.
Can a turkey make a good pet?
Since turkeys are so docile and loving, they make excellent pets for children. They like to play and are more resilient than smaller, delicate birds, like chickens. Once your turkey has bonded with their family, they will enjoy spending time around you.
How long can a turkey live as a pet?
Life Expectancy
The maximum recorded lifespan for a turkey in captivity is twelve years and four months. For turkeys living in the wild, the maximum is less than ten years, but the average life expectancy of a male turkey is just over 2 years and just over 3 years for females.
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.
Can turkeys be kept indoors?
Housing. If you choose to raise turkeys indoors on floors that are cleanable, it will be easier to control predators and parasites. You’ll need to have about six square feet of indoor space per bird.
Do turkeys imprint on humans?
Unlike chickens, turkeys imprint onto humans quite easily. We received our poults through the mail and they were about two days old. We were probably the first humans to hold them for longer than a short moment and to talk with them. Therefore, when they saw our faces and heard our voices, they began to imprint on us.
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 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.
Are turkeys hard to raise?
Turkeys are not that hard to raise, but they differ a bit from chickens in terms of what they need, and raising them from poults (baby turkeys) is more time- and energy-intensive than raising chickens from baby chicks.
Are turkeys easy to keep?
Turkeys are relatively easy to raise in the back garden although, being larger, they do require more space than chickens or ducks. Turkeys can live for up to 10 years although on average they have a lifespan of around 4 years (unless destined for the table of course!).
Do turkeys remember their owners?
They create long-lasting social bonds with each other and with humans. Turkeys love to be stroked, petted and cuddled. They will remember your face and if they like you, they will come up to you to greet you.
Are turkeys protective of their owners?
Pet owners said that the birds can have different personalities and are often nervous animals, but can also become protective of their owners.
Why does my turkey puff up at me?
Females or males inflate their plumage to intimidate a predator threatening their brood. So, whenever turkeys sense a threat, be it human or animal, they can use this behavior to show the predator that it is likely to go wrong if it decides to attack!
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 put themselves away 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.
Can I raise just one turkey?
Because living alone can be very stressful for flock animals such as turkeys, if a turkey resident is unable to live with other turkeys, it will be important to give them the opportunity to bond with a companion(s) of a different species while ensuring everyone’s safety.
Do turkeys like music?
Turkeys enjoy listening to music and often loudly sing along. They’re original. Turkeys’ personalities are as varied and distinct as those of humans.
Do turkeys have feelings?
However, the nervous system of turkeys is similar to that of mammals, so they suffer physical pain, just as humans, cats and dogs do. Turkeys also experience similar emotional states to humans, including fear, anxiety, frustration, boredom, pleasure and enjoyment.
Can you train a turkey?
Dogs and dolphins aren’t the only animals you can train to come when called. Almost any mammal will “come” for food … even backyard chickens and turkeys. Here are some simple steps to training a chicken or turkey.
Where do pet turkeys sleep at night?
Despite spending most of their time on the ground, foraging for food, all turkeys sleep in trees at night to keep safe from predators. Turkeys have poor night vision, so trees offer a safe place for them to sleep when it’s dark.
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.