Turkeys good protectors for chickens?

[tearose]

Awhile back I was researching on what to do to help protect my chickens from predators and found that Royal Palm Turkeys would be a good thing to add to my menagerie.

Now I am reading all kinds of reasons why chickens and turkeys should not be together. This is very disappointing because we already bought 4 poults and have become attached to them, but I am not wanting to make more problems with having them. Any thoughts on what I should do?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Turkeys will do nothing as far as predator protection for chickens, a good set up and cover for your chickens would be better, I keep mine separately because turkeys can get rowdy, but they range in the same area, the chickens will sometimes leave and go back to their pen when the turkeys are out. Some people keep them together with no troubles.

 

[feedman77]

I have chickens and turkeys together.

If i have any troubles it seems to come from my turkey hens. My toms are big babies.

As long as you have enough hens for a tom you should be fine. It's a lone birds where issues may start.

As far a predator protection maybe maybe not. I have not lost chickens to any hawks while the turkeys are around them. I think their size may be a deterrent.

But coons,owls,coyotes, and foxes. Still take a chicken with or without the turkeys.

With the exception of hens on the nest I have not lost a full size turkey to a predator.

 

[memphis]

I range my chickens with two turkey hens. No issues. They are cooped separately. They also have their own covered pens so I can separate them. I have noticed that the turkeys will alert quicker than the chickens if they see hawks. They just seem to notice them before the chickens.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

I had a lot of problems with hawks last fall so when I restocked my chickens I also bought two turkeys. No hawk issues, though it could be coincidence. I know they're in the area because I can hear the crows going after them.

 

[roddycn1216]

I just learned that you actually CAN house turkeys and chickens together.... you just have to make sure you worm everyone 3-4 times a year with Safeguard for goats. This kills the Coccidia in the chickens and turkeys and kills the coccidia before they get into the liver fluke stage in turkeys (kinda the same concept of heartworm preventative for your dog). I have read many threads on here about turkeys who have contracted Blackhead and they say to use a TON OF CAYENNE PEPPER and that will cure them....

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I don't have blackhead and that hasn't been my concern, it's the occasional bullying behaviors the turkeys can sometimes do. I've had hens chase chickens, and I've had toms kill a rooster. Others have no problems, i prefer to keep mine separate for my own peace of mind.