Turkeys

geesenducks · **Joined:** Thu Jun 10, 2010 9:08 pm **Posts:** 4

I have for some time considered getting a couple of turkeys but a friend I spoke to on wednesday has told me not to get them as they carry diseases and will infect my geese and ducks. I just find it hard to believe that they all carry this blackhead disease? Is it really a big problem?

MariaCreeksPoultry · **Posted:** Fri Jun 11, 2010 5:55 pm

It's sad that so many give up on turkey ownership due to misinformation.

It is chooks who are supposed to carry blackhead which they give to turkeys. in saying that I have had chooks and turkeys together for year and never seen blackhead. If you keep everything clean, don't overcrowd them and regularly worm all your birds, there won't be a problem.

The worst we have had happen is a Tom took to riding chooks which he squashed in the process. We gave him to a friend who only keeps turkeys and he lived happily ever after there.

oozcorpse · **Joined:** Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:15 am **Posts:** 2715

Well said by MariaCreeksPoultry
I too have owned turkeys for many years but I choose to keep my turkeys and chooks separate as I have adequate acreage to do so [ 48 acres ]
Only the very largest breed of chook can withstand the amorous bent of a turkey Tom the resulting young are called mules are BUTT UGLY and are infertile but they do taste good

geesenducks · **Joined:** Thu Jun 10, 2010 9:08 pm **Posts:** 4

I suspected this might be the case I have read on the internet that blackheads can be a big problem but it’s not as common as I was led to believe. I have never owned a turkey [but know a few har har] and would like to give them ago as I do like the look of them

oozcorpse · **Joined:** Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:15 am **Posts:** 2715

geesenducks yr in for a treat :-D

once you get to know yr turkeys [once you get them]

Ace · **Posted:** Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:43 am

Most that don't own turkeys bag them but the fact is they are great and I know heaps of people with them and no probs at all. Enjoy your new turkeys

Mistwood Poultry · **Joined:** Wed Sep 16, 2009 8:08 am **Posts:** 46

Hey there
Trust me, every single book, TV show and person will tell you that turkeys are too hard and are notfor the begginer (i think i spelt that wrong) but i can tell you now, turkeys are one of the bes pes you can have! forget blackhead!! it's the chooks that carry it and as long as you keep your pen and surroundings clean you can't go wrong.
i saw a turkey gobbler at one of my friends houses one day around a year ago and i said to myself... "I HAVE TO GET ONE OF THEM!!!". so within 2 weeks i had gotten rid of all my layers and in came the turkeys.

GET THEM!!!

geesenducks · **Joined:** Thu Jun 10, 2010 9:08 pm **Posts:** 4

Thank you for putting me on the right path I have been off reading so much about turkeys now that me brain hurts but I am convinced I want to try them

andre · **Joined:** Tue Oct 13, 2009 5:21 pm **Posts:** 612

Yes, just keep them reasonably seperated from chickens and you'll do OK. Other than blackhead, they are pretty hardy.

oozcorpse · **Joined:** Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:15 am **Posts:** 2715

geesenducks wrote:

Thank you for putting me on the right path I am convinced I want to try them

once you have turkeys you can NEVER go back you know - - - - - - - -
they are even more addictive than chooks = I didnt have any with me for 5mths and I nearly went crazy - I kept going out to feed them and calling them in :roll:

and when you say 'try them' I hope that also means 'TRY THEM' - yep home grown taste great :-D

we eat turkey abt 3 times a week all year round - stir fried stewed roasted souped etc etc etc

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