New to turkeys -pic added

Buckeye Horsefeathers · 10-15-2009, 05:16 AM

Went to swaps days over the weekend and came home with a turkey. The guy said he had been a pet and he likes his head scratched and will follow you around. Well last night I let him out for a bit to graze in the yard and he ends up glued to my new horse trailer because he can see his reflection in the metal at the bottom.

So I have searched craigs list to try and find him a companion and the only thing I can find are young unsexed poults, pairs, or spare toms. The young ones are out because the weather is already getting cold. Would he fight another tom or pair? I want to get a pic but the weather is not cooperating. Any turkey owners out there that can advise me what to do about my lonely guy would be appreciated.

farmergal · 10-15-2009, 10:06 PM

I had a pair of young Tom's that I got last year. They got along well and were tame until breeding season. Then they turned on each other and me.

It got so bad that I gave them away. Nothing like a near 30# bird flinging himself repeatedly at you like a rooster. I'm sure their new owner is having a very nice Thanksgiving dinner this Nov.

I asked my step dad before he past away if this was normal as he raised Turkeys when I was a kid and I didn't remember him having a mean Tom. He told me that when they turn mean they end up in the roasting pan. So I guess you can think of them as being like chickens only bigger.

Turkeys are drawn to shiny objects this includes your eyes so be careful.

Buckeye Horsefeathers · 10-19-2009, 06:21 PM

Well I finally got a pic of Mr. Snoodums. He and the goat have become buddies, and when I let them out he follows the goat around. I will eventually get him a female but it will probably be spring. In the mean time he seems content with his reflection.

snwflk · 10-19-2009, 07:28 PM

OH I just love it.! I let my DD play with one at a petting zoo, but really it just scared her!

He reminded me of a crazy old man, just wandering around muttering to him self.

farmergal · 10-20-2009, 11:40 PM

Beautiful Gobbler Mr. Snoodums!

PS
I've been told not to do the turkey dance.

Naturally that bit of info came after the fact. I hear they will think of you as another Tom and become aggressive. Now you know the rest of the story.

ChasnCans · 10-21-2009, 12:04 AM

personally, they scare me! We had a tom along time along that would chase me everytime I went out to 'try' and feed the horses. I'd rather just eat on on thanksgiving!

Horselady44 · 11-03-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChasnCans

personally, they scare me! We had a tom along time along that would chase me everytime I went out to 'try' and feed the horses. I'd rather just eat on on thanksgiving!

Same here

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10-15-2009, 05:16 AM
Buckeye Horsefeathers Weanling Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 221	New to turkeys -pic added Went to swaps days over the weekend and came home with a turkey. The guy said he had been a pet and he likes his head scratched and will follow you around. Well last night I let him out for a bit to graze in the yard and he ends up glued to my new horse trailer because he can see his reflection in the metal at the bottom. So I have searched craigs list to try and find him a companion and the only thing I can find are young unsexed poults, pairs, or spare toms. The young ones are out because the weather is already getting cold. Would he fight another tom or pair? I want to get a pic but the weather is not cooperating. Any turkey owners out there that can advise me what to do about my lonely guy would be appreciated. __________________ Always remember, what mother nature gives...father time takes! Last edited by Buckeye Horsefeathers : 10-19-2009 at 06:23 PM.

10-15-2009, 10:06 PM
farmergal Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 6,063	I had a pair of young Tom's that I got last year. They got along well and were tame until breeding season. Then they turned on each other and me. It got so bad that I gave them away. Nothing like a near 30# bird flinging himself repeatedly at you like a rooster. I'm sure their new owner is having a very nice Thanksgiving dinner this Nov. I asked my step dad before he past away if this was normal as he raised Turkeys when I was a kid and I didn't remember him having a mean Tom. He told me that when they turn mean they end up in the roasting pan. So I guess you can think of them as being like chickens only bigger. Turkeys are drawn to shiny objects this includes your eyes so be careful. __________________ Knowlege is out there, you just need to know where to look.

10-19-2009, 06:21 PM
Buckeye Horsefeathers Weanling Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 221	Well I finally got a pic of Mr. Snoodums. He and the goat have become buddies, and when I let them out he follows the goat around. I will eventually get him a female but it will probably be spring. In the mean time he seems content with his reflection. __________________ Always remember, what mother nature gives...father time takes!

10-19-2009, 07:28 PM
snwflk Started Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,463	OH I just love it.! I let my DD play with one at a petting zoo, but really it just scared her! He reminded me of a crazy old man, just wandering around muttering to him self. __________________ Suzie Q

10-20-2009, 11:40 PM
farmergal Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 6,063	Beautiful Gobbler Mr. Snoodums! PS I've been told not to do the turkey dance. Naturally that bit of info came after the fact. I hear they will think of you as another Tom and become aggressive. Now you know the rest of the story. __________________ Knowlege is out there, you just need to know where to look. Last edited by farmergal : 10-20-2009 at 11:45 PM.

10-21-2009, 12:04 AM
ChasnCans Started Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KS Posts: 2,012	personally, they scare me! We had a tom along time along that would chase me everytime I went out to 'try' and feed the horses. I'd rather just eat on on thanksgiving! __________________ In memory of baby Mayln Marie Loyd. While he may knock over a barrel he will never* break my heart