raising turkeys as pets

Pet turkeys are very friendly and social She loves to be pet and will even sit down on our feet to try to get attention! Every turkey is different, and some toms can become territorial. However, most turkeys are generally docile, making them a good animal to be around children.

How hard is it to raise turkeys?

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.

Do turkeys like to be petted?

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. Turkeys also love music and will cluck along with the songs.

How long do turkeys live as pets?

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.

Are turkeys easy to keep?

TURKEYS are magnificent birds that are relatively easy to keep and once you have some around you will become truly smitten. ... The standard turkeys (original old breeds - as opposed to commercial hybrids) are very hardy birds but like most poultry, will appreciate shelter, away from extreme weather.

Will turkeys kill each other?

Turkey will sometimes attack chickens, and both chickens and older turkeys will sometimes go after poults. It's best to keep poults away from adults until they are bigger. Even than you need to make sure they all can get away from each other. I haven't had any toms kill another Tom even though there's sometimes fights.

How long does it take for a turkey to grow to full size?

The usual lifespan for a turkey is 10 years, and pure breed turkeys take approximately 4-5 months to grow to full size. The hen turkeys take 16 weeks to mature completely, and average 3.6 kg (8 lb) to 7.2 kg (16 lbs) in weight.

Why are turkeys so mean?

1. They're strict adherents to the pecking order. Turkeys don't start beef with humans over territory. For them, it's all about the pecking order, and if you don't establish dominance on that first encounter, you're beneath the beast in its eyes.

Why do turkeys chase you?

Turkeys “may attempt to dominate or attack people they view as subordinates.” This behavior is most common in the fall when young male birds start competing with elders of the flock, according to MassWildlife. If you're cornered by a belligerent bird, it's important to not let the turkey intimidate you.

Why does a turkey's face turn blue?

When the turkey gets flustered, the blood vessels contract, exposing more of the collagen bands. This changes the way that incoming light scatters and reflects off of the turkey's skin, causing it to appear blue or white.

Are turkeys messy?

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. ... They're not frantic like chickens.

Can turkeys be dangerous?

Wild turkeys that adapt to urban or suburban communities, especially young and mature males during the breeding season, can become quite aggressive towards people. Rarely do they cause serious damage, although they often will chase and harass children.

Do turkeys kill snakes?

First of all, chickens and turkeys will kill and eat little snakes, but water moccasins are very venomous and can easily kill any bird. Also the moccasins swim very well and will drown a turkey as turkeys can't swim. Ducks will be eaten by the snakes, too.

Why should you not eat turkey?

Top 10 Reasons Not to Eat Turkeys

Turkeys Are "People" Too. Turkeys have personalities, just as dogs and cats do. ...
Fear Factories. ...
Don't Be a Butterball! ...
Bird Flu Blues. ...
Turkey-Free, Cholesterol-Free Tasty Treats. ...
Want Stuffing With Your Supergerms? ...
Foul Farming. ...
Feed the World.

Do turkeys need nesting boxes?

Nest boxes are an essential feature for laying turkey hens, and can be simply built with just a little time and effort. ... Turkeys are large birds, but enjoy a cozy nest, so 8 inches of nesting room is more than enough to make them feel comfortable.

Do turkeys eat ticks?

According to Wild Birds Unlimited, an adult turkey is one of the most voracious tick predators around, and an individual may eat 200 or more of these little critters in a given day. The Tick Encounter Resource Center reported that many species of bird feast on parasites.

Will turkeys kill chickens?

Turkeys And Chickens

In general, it is safest not to house male turkeys with female chickens, as they unfortunately have been known to accidentally kill chickens when attempting to mate with them.

Can a turkey live with chickens?

The short answer is yes, you can raise turkeys and chickens together. ... We also keep geese, ducks, and guineas with our chickens in the same coop and run.

How do I stop my turkey from attacking me?

Aggressive turkeys

Don't hesitate to scare or threaten a bold, aggressive turkey with loud noises, swatting with a broom or water sprayed from a hose. A dog on a leash is also an effective deterrent. Turkeys that repeatedly challenge or attack people may ultimately have to be destroyed.

How much space does a turkey need?

How Much Space Do I Need? Turkeys are social creatures, so plan on raising at least two. They are bigger birds than chickens and thus more space is required. You'll need a minimum of 25 square feet of outdoor space per bird for them to exercise, with predator-proof fencing on all sides, as well as overhead.

How long does it take for a turkey to be ready for harvest?

Most turkey breeds will mature between 14-22 weeks of age, which means you will need to purchase birds early in July to make sure they have enough time to grow. Heritage breeds will take a bit longer, 25-30 weeks, so those birds would need to be purchased in late May or early June.

How many months does it take a turkey to mature?

If you choose to go with a Broad-Breasted Turkey, they should reach butchering weight faster than a heritage breed turkey. With that being said, at 16-22 weeks they should be weighing at around 12-14 pounds. A heritage breed turkey will mature at 25-30 weeks.