Kitchen Garden Forum

Hi All,

Question can Hens and Turkeys be kept in the same run, or would it be more trouble than it's worth
I would like to try and keep a couple of Turkeys for next year

Kind Regards & A Very happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to one and all

Kevin

Keeping turkeys with hens is very risky as the turkeys are very prone to picking up a disease called 'black-head' from the chickens - unless the chickens are regularly and thoroughly wormed.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/disease ... ckhead.htm

I keep hens and turkeys and have no problems. They have seperate sleeping quarters and free range together. They are only together in the run [very large] if Im going somewhere.
I worm them regularly and there is no problems with turkeys picking on hens.
So long as theyre not all penned up together and have plenty of space Im sure a couple of turkeys would be great fun for you.
Happy new Year
Rainy

Hello Happyhen
How do you go about feeding your birds when they run together. I imagine your hens will need layers mash or pellets and your turkeys will need some sort of growers ration. Is there a special mix for turkeys?
How do make sure that they feed on what they need rather than just what's easiest to get at.

John

PS How easy is it to dispatch a turkey as I presume that a bird for the oven is the name of the game?