Turkeys attacking each other - advice?

[lengel]

I have three turkeys, all of whom have turned out to be hens. Only one so far has shown consistently submissive behavior. The other two are clearly dominant.

The problem is this: they have started attacking each other. The submissive one was bloodied near her eye yesterday and there was blood all over her head. I know which one did it and the third was being protective but she's just as bad as far as I'm concerned.

I took the submissive one out of the enclosure and put her in the coop by herself. The protective one freaked out but finally settled down. Then she turned around and attacked the one who attacked the submissive one.

Why the heck can't they get along? They have just started laying so I'm wondering if that has something to do with it. I make absolutely certain that they have plenty of food at all times so they don't have to compete but I have seen one of the hens attacking the submissive one when she approaches the bucket. I'm frustrated. Any ideas on what I should do?

 

[Plain_View_Farm]

Have you tried putting in more than 1 feed container?
We use the heavy black Feed Dishes they sell at Tractor Supply. We usually put 2 or 3 in the area where we feed 8-10 Turkeys and they don't seem to squabble.

David

 

[wilds of pa]

Hi, how much space do they have in this enclosure?? were they all raised together, or are they all from different places and new to each other..

Charlie

 

[sandspoultry]

Turkeys can and will fight. They are flock animals and have a pecking order that they will need to sort out. Our Beltsville toms are the worst ones for it- I have seen them fight from sun up to sun down. They will get tired and quit for awhile then right back at it. As long as they don't do any serious damage we let them sort it out. They will get bloody but it looks worse than it really is. By seperating them you have stopped it for now but unless you plan on keeping them seperated the fight will be back on when you put them back together. Once they sort it out they will quit. We just let them go but keep an eye on them for serious injury- I have often thought of selling tickets for the "turkey fights".

Steve in NC

 

[lengel]

Thanks. Your posts make me feel better. They did grow up together and I have tried more than one food container but the horrible one just follows the submissive one from one container to another, making it clear that she gets first dibs. This attack got the submissive one right underneath her eye so I'm letting her heal up from that but I'll put her back so that they can sort it out. I'll try extending the enclosure as well.

 

[sandspoultry]

Are the two others getting along now? if so mark or remember which one is the more aggressive. When you are ready to put them back together take the most aggresive one out and add the submissive one. those two should bond as a flock after they settle down, after a few days add the aggressive one. She will then be the outsider and lowest on the pecking order. It doesn't take much to upset the order and you can use it to your advantage. think like a turkey.... or at least an animal.

.

Steve

 

[LoveMyBirds]

Quote:

Yeah, it looks bad.. But after a few days it seems that they get along then all of a sudden one gets PMS or something and attacks again...

I've seen mine with bruised beaks, bloody spots around heads but they are buddies again for a few days....