Breeding turkeys has recently become a popular activity for enthusiastic farmers. Most people breeding turkey poults do so for individual purposes or with prospects of making a profit from selling their delicious meat. However, unlike other birds, turkeys are comparably interesting and unpredictable pets, with behaviors that can hardly be explained. Turkey fights among themselves are common for various reasons, with the major reason being the division of territory.
Why Do Male Turkeys Fight?
As mentioned above, the impetus of turkey fights stems from several factors. Identifying the specific causative factor is important, as it will help you identify how to solve the disagreements. Some of the reasons why male turkeys fight include;
- Mating and division of territory
This is among the main and most basic reasons why turkeys fight. Fortunately, it can easily be resolved. Male turkeys fight for the alpha status, especially if you have two or more males. Most of these fights appear just before the breeding season, as each will be fighting to become the “king of the flock.” Such fighting can last up to 5 days and involves a lot of bruising and bloody. Fighting begins by striking each other with wings before they start grasping each other’s neck or face.
- Flock aggression to new birds and predators
Both male and female turkeys act aggressively towards new turkeys introduced to the existing flock. This behavior is strongly related to flock status and helps adjust the new members to the flock. Flocks often take days to adjust to newcomers. Young male turkeys also fight to defend their territory from wild birds.
- Character features
Some turkey breeds have individual specific nuisance and characteristics that predispose them to fights.
- Teenage fights
It is best to say that teenagers, both people, and turkeys, are a common source of problems. Male turkey teenagers have a lot of energy, and fighting is the only way to release such energy.
- Turkeys and humans
Fights between male turkeys and humans are quite rare. However, male turkeys will occasionally defend their harem from people. The male fights by attacking with wings or kicking their feet.
- Lack of food
Male turkeys can also fight due to poor diet, insufficient vitamins, and other essential substances in the body. If such deficiencies arise, the birds begin behaving strangely, destroying small and weak turkeys.
Why Do Male and Female Turkeys Fight?
Fights between male and female turkeys are not common. However, if they do occur, it is majorly due to flock aggression to new birds. Male and female turkeys naturally act aggressively towards new turkeys in the flock. Like other animals, adjusting new birds to a flock often takes time, which involves serious fights. However, such fights end as they spend more time together.
That aside, male turkeys can also fight female turkeys if exposed to poor diet, lack of vitamins, and minerals. Birds also understand the “survival for the fittest” theory. As such, strong males can fight and kill small and weak females for more food.
Can Two Male Turkeys Get Along?
Most people farming turkeys often wonder if two male turkeys can get along well. As you may know, turkeys prefer hanging out in groups. Every group often has a pecking order, which determines who rules the flock. This is where most fights between male turkeys begin. Fortunately, males can live in harmony once the fights are over and the king of the flock is determines.
That said, expect some fights if you just introduced a new male into the flock. Such fights are normal as they help determine the king of the group. As mentioned, the fights can last up to 5 days, and you shouldn’t interfere if you want them to get along peacefully.
Why Do Turkeys Peck Each Other?
Pecking is one of the common and unpleasant phenomena among turkeys. New turkey farmers ignore this behavior, often leading to heavy losses and deaths. Pecking by turkeys is among the many forms of feathered cannibalism. It often starts from egg cracking before birds start pecking themselves and their less powerful flock members. This can occur due to some of the following reasons.
- Poor digestive tract functioning – turkeys with poor digestive systems develop diarrhea, which dirties the feathers around the anal zone. This provokes other chicks to rake. To avoid this, it is best to provide satisfactory body needs, including proteins and vitamins.
- Light and overheating – exposing your turkeys to high intensity and prolonged exposure to light often leads to pecking and cannibalism. Excessive light leads to increased stress and overheating, which causes discomfort.
- Hazing – once a new turkey joins a flock, members of the flock pinch him/her on the head or wing as a herd instinct. To avoid such an occurrence, it is best to group your turkeys according to age.
- Overcrowding – just like chicken, a huge crowd size also leads to pecking in turkeys. Most birds have a social hierarchy. With a huge crowd, dominant birds often fight to sustain dominance, which may lead to cannibalism. Huge crowds also mean that there will be less feeding space in the pen. Dominant birds take up most of the food supply, leaving weak birds more susceptible to underweight, making them easier targets for pecking.
- Nutrition – a diet with low protein and high energy leads to less aggressive behaviors, while diets lacking protein methionine can cause aggressive habits in turkeys. Methionine is among the essential amino acids that cannot be produced in the body. Methionine causes aggressive behaviors as it contains sulfur, which is used in making feathers. Therefore, birds with deficient methionine will peck other birds looking for this essential amino acid in their feathers.
How to Control Pecking in Turkeys
Some of the methods to prevent pecking in turkeys include;
- Beak trimming – this is a common preventive measure that reduces pecking and cannibalism in turkeys. Despite being effective, this method is considered cruel as it subjects the birds to chronic pain. Poultry beaks are very sensitive to touch, heat, and pressure. Trimming also predisposes the bird to lose its ability to sense the external environment and can cause neuromas. Therefore, this should be used as a last resort.
- Reducing the group size – increased group size can lead to feather pecking, especially caused by social learning among turkeys. Therefore, it is prudent to reduce the number of birds per floor size.
- Better light – light manipulation also helps eliminate pecking behaviors. The best way is to provide light in nest boxes that attract the birds to use the nets.
- Selective breeding – consider breeding selected species with a generally low prevalence of pecking.
What Is The Friendliest Breed Of Turkey?
While there aren’t as many turkey breeds as chicken breeds, it is good to know a friendly breed to raise as a farmer. To ease your decision, check out the following common turkey breeds.
- Broad-breasted white turkeys
These are the modern breed raided in factory farm settings in the U.S. They have a maximum feed to white breast meat conversion within a short time. However, such efficiency comes with a number of problems. For instance, they can’t walk or fly, are prone to diseases, and only reproduce with artificial insemination. They also don’t taste great.
- Heritage turkey breeds
Heritage breeds are a good choice for small farmers and homesteaders looking for natural turkey breeds. You can choose from several sub-breeds of this breed. Their easy nature makes them among the common and popular turkey breed.
- Bourbon reds
As the name suggests, bourbon red is famous for their red plumage. They trace their origin from Bourbon county, where they were first bred. They are known for their delicious meat of full flavor, probably explaining why they are well known as the best-tasting heritage breeds. Toms can weigh as much as 23 pounds, while hens weigh approximately 12 pounds.
- Narragansett
Tracing their origin from Rhode Island, Narragansetts were for long a staple turkey breed before factory-farmed turkeys came into the scene. They are easy to rear, and toms weigh 30 pounds while hens are typically 18 pounds.
- Midget white
Midget white turkeys are a new heritage breed developed in the late 1960s by the University of Massachusetts researchers. They are a crossbreed between broad-breasted whites and royal palms. Though small in size, they are best for their deep and delicious flavor. Tops can weigh up to 20 pounds while hens weigh up to 12 pounds.
- Beltsville small white
The Beltsville small white has a lot of resemblance with the midget white turkey breeds, with the exception of wider breasts. Though they make excellent table birds, they are blander than midgets and other heritage turkeys. However, they are excellent layers and prolific sitters. Unfortunately, they aren’t much social compared to other breeds.
- White Holland
White Holland is another turkey breed that took its name from its origin, Holland. Early settlers migrated with this breed, and were a popular meat breed in the 1800s. Toms of this breed can weigh up to 30 pounds while hens weigh 20 pounds. They are a calm breed, good mothers, but can break their eggs due to excessive weight.
- Standard Bronze
Standard bronze is a popular turkey breed in American history and among the largest breeds. They were originally a cross between various turkeys brought by Europeans and native wild turkeys discovered in America. Toms of these breeds can weigh up to 25 pounds while hens weigh 16 pounds.
- Royal Palm
Royal palm turkeys are majorly bred for their good looks, with strikingly beautiful black and white plumage. Unlike other breeds, they are small and lack commercial potential, thus mostly raised for exhibitions. They are excellent flyers and can control insects expertly. Toms have a standard weight of 16 pounds while hens weigh 10 pounds.
You can choose your favorite and friendliest turkey breed based on the descriptions above. Most people find the royal palm a good choice, especially if you want to rear turkeys as pets.
FAQs
Why do male turkeys puff up?
Most male turkeys, also known as toms, try as much as possible to befriend females every spring. In this act, male turkeys puff up their bodies and spread their tail feathers. This trot comes in handy in attracting females for mating.
How to discipline a turkey after fighting
Disciplining turkeys after a fight depends on the causative factor. For instance, you can’t take any disciplinary measures if the turkeys are fighting for male dominance. However, if the fights endanger their lives, consider separating them.
How to reintroduce turkeys after a fight
Reintroducing turkeys after a fight doesn’t require much science. Simply eliminate the main reason why turkeys were fighting, and all will be well.
Why do turkeys spread their wings?
If you farm turkeys, you will realize that they occasionally flap their wings. This act shakes of dirt after bathing in the dust and spreads the feathers for faster drying after rains. It also helps in casting off feather debris after turkeys complete preening.
Wing flaps after turkeys become alert to imminent threats is also an exit signal. This behavior flexes the bird’s wings in case it needs to fly to escape.
Why would a turkey chase you?
Turkeys often attempt attacking people when looking for dominancy. Such behavior is common during the fall, as young male birds start competing with older adults in the flock for mates. If you find yourself cornered by these birds, don’t allow them to intimidate you.
Conclusion
Unlike other birds, turkeys are an interesting lot. They have peculiar behaviors that cannot be easily understood, especially by novice farmers. If you intend to keep turkeys on your farm, as pets or for commercial purposes, make sure that you understand these behaviors well. You should also learn to read various signs of stress or excitement from your birds.