Turkey behavior with one duck

[Liza S]

we have turkeys and ducks all are hens about a year old. The turkey follows one of the ducks and separates her from her friends. The turkey literally is at her side or walking in front of the duck then sits down in front of her. I have seen the turkey peck at her. Should we separate them?this goes on all day and has been happening for the last few days.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Turkeys are persistent and are prone to emotional responses. I personally keep my turkeys in their own shed and run. They are allowed out, but I round them up when they start making troubles like chasing chickens. Turkeys can be single minded. I have see them fight amongst themselves for days before there's a resolution.

Between their personality and their strength, I would not keep them with other species.

 

[Liza S]

Turkeys are persistent and are prone to emotional responses. I personally keep my turkeys in their own shed and run. They are allowed out, but I round them up when they start making troubles like chasing chickens. Turkeys can be single minded. I have see them fight amongst themselves for days before there's a resolution.

Between their personality and their strength, I would not keep them with other species.

Interesting thank you for replying. We ordered a few ducks and my husband took a few unclaimed turkeys so we really didn’t know much at the time . I do like the turkeys they seem curious about what we are doing, which I think is adorable. My ducks, well I enjoy them more than they enjoy me!

We weren’t sure if she is wanting to mate or she thinks the duck is her baby. We did find her with eggs last week and weren’t sure if the behavior is related. I don’t think the duck likes being shadowed like this.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Interesting thank you for replying. We ordered a few ducks and my husband took a few unclaimed turkeys so we really didn’t know much at the time . I do like the turkeys they seem curious about what we are doing, which I think is adorable. My ducks, well I enjoy them more than they enjoy me!

We weren’t sure if she is wanting to mate or she thinks the duck is her baby. We did find her with eggs last week and weren’t sure if the behavior is related. I don’t think the duck likes being shadowed like this.

Did you raise them together? Turkeys are definitely a different kind of bird. They will follow you in a mob, and are quite curious. I have had turkeys kill a rooster, so I never trust mine, others mix their turkeys with other fowl without problems, but I don't like the risk, and have seen what a turkey can do. Ducks are mostly helpless against a turkey.

It does sound like she's asking to be mated as the hen will initiate mating by sitting down in front of a Tom. I'm assuming you have no Tom?

 

[Alaskan]

It does sound like she's asking to be mated as the hen will initiate mating by sitting down in front of a Tom. I'm assuming you have no Tom?

x2

 

[Kacave]

I have 1 turkey with 2 ducks. The turkey has taken on the personality of the ducks! She gets in the duck pool, sits on their eggs, and has shuned me since I brought the 2 ducks in the barn yard. She follows them around all day as part of the threesome. They are all females.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have 1 turkey with 2 ducks. The turkey has taken on the personality of the ducks! She gets in the duck pool, sits on their eggs, and has shuned me since I brought the 2 ducks in the barn yard. She follows them around all day as part of the threesome. They are all females.

Sounds like a happy trio.