Turkeys & chickens

[chickenlady]

Can turkeys & chickens live together? I just bought 2 turkeys, 1 royal palm tom and 1 black spanish hen. The guy said they could live together. Is that true?

My chickens are now 5 weeks old and I only lost one! They are getting sooo big, sooo very fast. I'll have to send updated pictures.

[yukonchick]

Hi chickenlady!

There is the risk of transmitting blackhead disease from the turkeys to the chickens.
I know many people who have successfully kept the two together not only on the same property but in the same coop as well, although I don't know if I'd personally keep them in the same space..
I think if you're careful about keeping things clean and introduce them when they're older (six months seems to be the census here) so they have a chance to build up thier immune systems you could do it but as with anything else in life there is no guarantee..

Cheers,
yukonchick

[chickenlady]

The tom is a year old and the hen is 3 months old. Do you think that is old enough?

[yukonchick]

I would be a little leary about introducing 'grown' turkeys from another farm into your flock..
You may want to keep them seperated for a few months to monitor for disease..

Cheers,
yukonchick

[DaveJZ]

I think you would have more issues with them not getting along. I have 2 Turkeys that live with my chickens, but they are the same age, and just about the same size. They had problems when first introduced.