PorcelainSmile
In the Brooder
- Nov 3, 2023
- 2
- 3
- 11
Background: We recently adopted a neglected Black Spanish/Norfolk turkey. Now, when I say "neglected," I mean left to her own devices at [I'm assuming] a young age and in an area that is not suitable for unfettered free-ranging, unless of course, you enjoy shoveling your fowl off the street or picking through your neighbor's hunting-dog's feces for clues. As a result, her companion tom wandered separately and was--rumor has it--struck by a car. She came to us dehydrated, lonely/needy beyond comprehension, but overall in fair health. Up until then, she had somewhat relied on the kindness of neighbors. Now she has her own coop, run, and ample food and water. We take regular walks with her around the property. There was talk of a turkey companion or two, but plans are in limbo after . . . uh, recent events.
Personality [at First]: Needy. Needy, needy, needy. Sweet as a peach, but oh so needy for company. Before we had a run constructed, we had to take meals with the sliding door open so that she could still physically see and hear us. Otherwise? Everyone in the neighborhood would hear the ear-curdling heartbreak of a lonely turkey. She permitted our neighbor's children--or really anyone--to pet, feed, and pick her up. Sooner than later, she began strutting for . . . well, everyone in sight. Nevertheless, she does tend to favor the only man in our family. Everyone who knew her beforehand says that she's a sweetheart, endlessly curious, and loves grapes.
Age: Young? Maybe. My worthless assumption is that her strange winter-laying and sudden aggression are the hallmark of an irregular teenager who can't control her new influx of strange hormones. She became aggressive at about the same time she started laying.
Current Behavior: Don't turn your back. While holding a conversation with a neighbor, I am actively avoiding the turkey so as not to be attacked in full view of God and everyone. This turkey has fans and I don't want to disappoint them by exposing her [recent] primadonna character to the press. Although she once or twice attacked the man in the family, she tends to give him the most slack. Me? Not so much. The mere sight of me has her wattle turning crimson and her chest puffing up. She'll start pacing in front of the run's gate, sounding off with an eerie dilophosaurus chirp (a la Jurassic Park). I'm starting to think she sees me as the weakest link. I'm the youngest, smallest person in my family of three, and I'm the one she seems most hostile towards. My other two family members can approach her, even pet her, walk alongside her, etc. She's attacked them, sure, but it's after numerous peaceful interactions. I don't get a second of peace with her anymore.
Turkey Whisperers, please help! What is going on? Is this broody behavior and will it stop with her egg laying? At first, I thought her strutting was cute. Now? I wonder if it was an indicator that she's human-imprinted and showing the world she's the Top Turkey. We're patient with her and avoid pissing her off whenever possible, which means I have to sometimes not interact with her in general. (This is saddening, honestly. She's a cute turkey when she doesn't want to eat my face.)
Personality [at First]: Needy. Needy, needy, needy. Sweet as a peach, but oh so needy for company. Before we had a run constructed, we had to take meals with the sliding door open so that she could still physically see and hear us. Otherwise? Everyone in the neighborhood would hear the ear-curdling heartbreak of a lonely turkey. She permitted our neighbor's children--or really anyone--to pet, feed, and pick her up. Sooner than later, she began strutting for . . . well, everyone in sight. Nevertheless, she does tend to favor the only man in our family. Everyone who knew her beforehand says that she's a sweetheart, endlessly curious, and loves grapes.
Age: Young? Maybe. My worthless assumption is that her strange winter-laying and sudden aggression are the hallmark of an irregular teenager who can't control her new influx of strange hormones. She became aggressive at about the same time she started laying.
Current Behavior: Don't turn your back. While holding a conversation with a neighbor, I am actively avoiding the turkey so as not to be attacked in full view of God and everyone. This turkey has fans and I don't want to disappoint them by exposing her [recent] primadonna character to the press. Although she once or twice attacked the man in the family, she tends to give him the most slack. Me? Not so much. The mere sight of me has her wattle turning crimson and her chest puffing up. She'll start pacing in front of the run's gate, sounding off with an eerie dilophosaurus chirp (a la Jurassic Park). I'm starting to think she sees me as the weakest link. I'm the youngest, smallest person in my family of three, and I'm the one she seems most hostile towards. My other two family members can approach her, even pet her, walk alongside her, etc. She's attacked them, sure, but it's after numerous peaceful interactions. I don't get a second of peace with her anymore.
Turkey Whisperers, please help! What is going on? Is this broody behavior and will it stop with her egg laying? At first, I thought her strutting was cute. Now? I wonder if it was an indicator that she's human-imprinted and showing the world she's the Top Turkey. We're patient with her and avoid pissing her off whenever possible, which means I have to sometimes not interact with her in general. (This is saddening, honestly. She's a cute turkey when she doesn't want to eat my face.)