How high can a chicken jump?

[debbie26pet]

my lad has been nagging us for ages to get a turkey girl. we dont know anything about, them what they eat, laying eggs, what space they need and can they live happily with chickens ducks,

some people tell us they need to be away form the chickens/ducks, others say they are fine. so ive said ill look into it and then well talk about it and decide.

can anyone advise us on them,

[Mollie333]

Turkeys are amazing. I brought a hen last year and she became a omlet star. Turkey girls are very friendly but do stick up for the chickens with predators. Hens lay eggs which are very big and tasty. She was very big and needed alot of space. She was fed on layers pellets, they can be loud but like dogs it depends on the actual personality.I do reccomemd turkeys. Cheryl my turkey hen got killed by the fox for defending the others. She was a kind lovely bog girl , I have now got 2 poults who are very friendly. Goodluck I will post some pictures of mine when I get home as I'm posting this off a iPhone '! Xx

[Egluntyne]

There is a disease called Histomoniasis which can be passed on from chickens to turkeys, and this is generally the reason why people are advised against keeping them together.

[Mollie333]

Egluntyne

I kept chickens and turkeys together, never have i got a turkey or chicken that suffered from this.

 

Also people don't tend to keep them because of the space issue. They need alot of free range space and time, or a big area run. Some people get put of by Histomoniasis disease which is also commonly known as Blackhead disease.

 

It also occurs when the parasites get access to the ceca of the bird and are able to multiply in the cecal wall and in the cavity. Sorry for spelling.

Turkeys are amazing, i had a Turkey living with 2 Warrens and two Silkie Bantams..

[Redwing]

Egluntyne

I kept chickens and turkeys together, never have i got a turkey or chicken that suffered from this.

 

 

 

I can see where you are coming from and many people do keep turkeys and chickens with few problems but you need to remember that you have only had turkeys for well under a year so this isnt really a lot of experience to draw on

 

Deb, Turkeys are full of character and make great pets but blackhead disease risk aside you need to consider that they need quite a bit of room

[Mollie333]

Tasha my dad used to keep turkeys and chickens and ducks together when i was younger, with a few geese also. He also said that he had no problems.

[Redwing]

Fair comment

 

I wouldnt take the risk though

[Egluntyne]

Tasha my dad used to keep turkeys and chickens and ducks together when i was younger, with a few geese also. He also said that he had no problems.

 

Maybe not.

 

There is however, overwhelming documentation about the problem. A little googling throws up masses of info.

[donald]

One of our friends keeps turkeys geese chickens but the turkey is for christmas, they all seem to get on fine but they are huge birds.

 

Not sure of their long term ailments as posted research, will ask broth in law, he farmed turkeys but I suppose they were for the table not sure how long that takes mind you? He did say the eggs were tastey donald

[Mollie333]

Just saying i had no problems either did my dad and dad's partner.

its really up to you, i think all birds can get blackhead. but turkeys are more prone, and then can spread around the flock. Good-luck, and sorry if thus caused any .. awkwardness.