Do you want to raise turkeys with chickens in your backyard? Can you keep chickens and turkeys in the same backyard?
Yes, they can! but, it is important to raise them with proper knowledge.
Raising turkeys with chickens is a amazing experience for most of the backyard poultry raiser, which can result in profitable mixed flock.
You can successfully raise both species with the proper management techniques and learning.
Whether you are an professional chicken farmer or a newbie if you want to raise turkeys and chickens together, this guide will help you a lot.
In this definitive guide, we have explained how you can provide a balanced environment for both species without hampering their natural living.
Let’s understand and find out how to raise both chickens and turkeys in the same backyard with a profitable business.
Benefits of Raising Turkeys and Chickens Together
Raising turkeys and chickens together can create a unique and advantageous environment for both species with their owners.
Enhanced Predator Protection
Coexisting flocks of turkeys and chickens can create a stronger defense system against predators.
The aspect that turkeys are larger and always stay aware, especially when a threat is imminent, shows that they are vigilant and capable of protecting the rest of the flock.
They also have very acute vision which enables them to easily see birds of prey in the sky, and their loud warning calls not only inform other flocks of the danger but also help the smaller birds to become aware of ground predators like snakes.
Social Enrichment
The value of a mixed flock is the extremely valuable social interaction that the two species share.
Mixing species fosters robust bonding between turkeys and chickens, especially when the general flock watches over the two together, which leads to reduced stress levels and a happier overall flock.
Such social enrichment is a great way to avoid behavioral issues that normally arise in single-species-oriented flocks, due to lack of contact with other animals.
Efficient Space Utilization
Although each species must have its own specific space, so you can keep both turkeys and chickens together to ensure a better yield from your land.
They can take up shared areas such as pastures during the daytime, such that the combination not only ensures optimal productivity but also keeps the different chickens and turkeys on separate roosts overnight.
Natural Pest Control
In your yard, a varied flock is the optimal approach for pest control. Turkeys are the champions of large bug capture, while chickens eat smaller bugs.
Together, they’re a complete natural pest control, lessening chemical interventions.
Cost-Effective Management
Using the same basic infrastructure such as fencing and feeding areas, reduces the general maintenance cost.
While each species needs specific feeds, many resources can be shared, making mixed flocks more cost-effective than keeping separate facilities for each species.
Essential Space Requirements For Turkeys and Chickens Living in Same Coop
Indoor Housing Space
When raising a mixed flock, allocating the right space to your turkeys and chickens is crucial.
Turkeys as adults require much more space than chickens in a way that they expect 6-8 square feet in the coop compared to 3-4 square feet for chickens.
This extra area is crucial in preventing stress and aggressive behaviors. Your coop should have adequate height clearance, as turkeys prefer higher roosts than chickens.
Construct crossing roosts of different heights; chickens should be at 2-3 feet level while the turkeys should be at 4-5 feet level.
This set-up accommodates both species to utilize their natural roosting habits, while simultaneously providing their comfort zones.
Outdoor Run Requirements
The ability of a mixed chicken-turkey flock to exist outdoors is equally important as the indoor setup.
Provide enough run space for turkeys at least 15-20 square feet each while chickens need 8-10 square feet each.
This liberal spacing helps eliminate territorial disputes and permits the two species to exercise in natural ways like foraging and bathing in dust.
Set up separate feeding stations to lessen the chances that they will compete for food at meal times.
Install numerous waterers around the run, ensuring their heights suit both species.
Turkeys choose their water source at chest height, while chickens select waterers on the ground level.
Consider using natural barriers like shrubs or small structures in the run. This will provide shelter and a safe retreat for stressed birds. This minimizes potential conflicts among species.
Remember to keep the indoor and outdoor places clean and dry at all times. Effective cleaning and appropriate drainage are key to preventing the inter-species transmission of diseases as well as ensuring the general health of the flock.
Feeding Strategies For Chickens and Turkeys in Same Backyard
Separate Feeding Areas
It is important to create separate feeding zones for turkeys and chickens, as this is vital to maintain harmony in your flock.
As larger birds, turkeys should have elevated feed areas at their head height to deter chickens from accessing their food.
Place multiple feeding stations throughout the coop to lessen competition, ensuring all birds receive enough nourishment.
Set up feeding stations at a distance of 10-15 feet to decrease the chance of congestion.
This setting helps reduce tension and permits both species to eat with ease of mind.
Never forget to place waterers next to the feeding station, but there must be a safe distance between the two for the prevention of feed contamination.
Species-Specific Nutrition
For maintaining optimal health both turkeys and chickens require different nutritional opportunities.
Turkeys need more protein than chickens. So, the protein content for the mixed flock should not exceed 16-18% to prevent excess protein for the chickens while ensuring the turkeys get enough until maturity. Thus that has to be at least 20-24% for turkeys.
Split formations of feeds can vary for the two kinds of birds. Turkey starter feeds are best for young birds, while adult diets can have grower feeds.
For chickens that have the ability for egg production and the nutrients that are needed for calcium through laying feed, a type of chicken feed.
You can support the diets of both species by adding kitchen waste, veggie scraps, and insects for extra nutritional value.
Make sure that you check the birds’ feeding behavior on this point and alter the food quantity available to them based on their preferences.
Adult turkeys approximately take 0.75-1 pounds of food per day, while chickens go through around 0.25-0.33 pounds daily. Do not leave food outside at night to prevent attracting exterminators.
Disease Prevention and Health Management
Common Health Risks in Mixed Flocks
The biggest issue concerning the raising of turkeys and chickens together is the transmission of diseases from one species to another.
The highly infectious Blackhead disease (histomoniasis) caused by a protozoan parasite is particularly threatening to turkeys and quite often the spread occurs through the chicken droppings.
While chickens generally exhibit resistance, turkeys are very vulnerable and have to deal with severe health problems.
Cross-contamination can also happen as a result of sharing the same feeding and watering places.
Both birds can hold respiratory diseases such as Mycoplasma gallisepticum and they can spread rapidly through the flock.
Having separated feeding places and the cleaning up of water sources very regularly would also help to decrease these possibilities.
Preventive Measures and Best Practices
A well-structured biosecurity program is a necessity to keep the flock healthy.
The first step is to set up quarantine procedures for the birds that are new to your flock before you mix them with your existing flock.
This ensures the detection of any health problems before they can infect other animals.
The continual cleaning and sterilizing of coops, feeders, and waterers is highly important.
The application of food-grade diatomaceous earth in dust baths will serve to manage any parasite that might be a problem.
When animals drink water containing different forms of apple cider vinegar, it helps their digestive system become more alkaline instead of slightly acidic.
It is very important to observe your turkeys and chickens daily for illness signs. These are the things to look out for:
- Desire of appetite or fatigue
- Respiratory troubles or sneezing
- Changes in excretion
- Unusual behavior or isolation
- Visible injuries or parasites
Regarding your mixed flock, I would suggest that you get help from your local poultry veterinarian to help you create a vaccination schedule that would suit your needs.
Regular deworming treatments and a proper diet with the addition of vitamins would also significantly reduce the health risks.
Keep precise health records for your flock, indicating vaccination dates, treatments conducted, and any deviations from standard health you see.
This documentation assists in identifying patterns and in the proper generation of overall flock management strategies.
Breed Selection Guide
To coexist with chickens, the choice of the right kind of turkey breed is very critical considering its funny character, dimensions, and intention.
Let’s investigate what the ideal turkey breeds that pair well with a chicken flock are.
Heritage Breeds
The heritage turkeys like Bourbon Reds and Narragansetts exhibit a very good companionship with chickens.
They are shy and are not too big for your chicken flock to be intimidated. They are also superb foragers and can efficiently share pasture space with chickens.
Commercial Breeds
While Broad-breasted White and Bronze turkeys are the larger varieties, with the correct introduction, you can integrate them well into the poultry flock.
In terms of growth rate, these breeds generate less meat yet, the extra weight means they also need more space and a sturdy base for the perch in the coop.
Temperament Considerations
In matters of turkey breed selection, one must select for placid temperament.
One breed that springs to mind is the Royal Pink and Gray turkeys which are particularly amiable and easily adapt to the flock that includes chicken.
It is best, however, if you do not raise the turkeys with those of more aggressive groups such as Blue Slate, all the while avoiding overly boisterous turkey breeds.
Size Compatibility
The size of turkey and chicken breeds should be compatible. Properly bred birds like the Black Heritage that typically weigh between 15 and 20 lbs. are okay with hens, whereas non-heritage breeds that weigh more than 30 lbs. are not.
Climate Adaptability
Select those kinds of birds that fit into the ecosystem of the region where you will breed your birds.
Cold-tolerant turkey breeds like Narragansetts and Standard Bronze can withstand both winter and summer temperatures, while breeds like Avila and Royal Palms require warmer climates.
Chickens as well as turkeys will have the fact that they can co-exist in the outdoor area, the whole year-round, as a guarantee.
Managing Flock Dynamics When Raising Turkeys and Chickens Together
Understanding Social Hierarchies
Integrating chickens and turkeys well depends on an understanding of the social structures of both species.
Chickens always establish a pecking order and turkeys while much bigger may exhibit more docile behavior.
You must introduce them gradually to give both species a chance to get used to the other’s presence.
First separate birds of different ages and kinds until they are of similar size, allowing you to divide them into groups.
This way, you will minimize stress and avoid injuries in too-small birds.
Only after both kinds of young chickens and turkeys are roughly the same size can their owners allow them to play together with supervision in a neutral place.
Creating Harmony Through Space Management
One of the most important things to keep the turkeys and chickens together is to manage the space they occupy.
A chicken requires around 4 square feet while a turkey needs about 6-8 square feet of coop space.
Ensure numerous food and water spots to prevent competition and stress during meal times.
Provide roosting spaces at various heights as turkeys tend to utilize the higher roosts more than chickens.
This simply separates chickens from turkeys, which naturally preserves the order of events. It is necessary to include sufficient nesting boxes that are best for both species.
You might also want to think about making special places in the environment that can serve as “quiet zones” where birds can retreat, and become stress free.
For example, there could be some bushes or small shelters in the outdoors where birds will be able to stay away from each other.
These spaces prevent the aggressive behavior of individuals and also provide the natural distribution of the two species.
Carefully make sure to maintain the right male-female ratio. One male turkey or ‘tom’ turkey can easily get along with a group of female chickens, but having more than one might cause in-fighting among them.
For this reason, the number of roosters in that flock should also be limited. This avoiding cause-and-effect state, on the one hand, side, and ensuring smoothness, on the other, are respectively the guide of behavior.
Seasonal Care Requirements
As the seasons change, it is important to pay special attention to how you take care of your mixed flock of turkeys and chickens.
Each season offers different challenges and possibilities to guarantee the birds are healthy and not traumatized.
Spring Care
In spring, the weather is gets warmer and there are rainfall increases. First of all, make sure that there is proper drainage around the coops to avoid muddy conditions.
Second, start by keeping the flock for a longer time out of the premises but at the same time be ready for any unpredictable weather changes with the help of available shelters.
After that, pay special attention to the monitoring of the signs of mites and lice that are happening at the early stages of spring since they become active then.
Summer Management
In summer, when the weather is too hot, farmers pay more attention to the prevention of heat stress.
It is better to create the appropriate ventilation conditions along with providing different sources of water.
The turkeys and chickens should also have places to hide in the shade to get the sun out of their eyes.
You can think of setting misters or shallow pools for cooling, simultaneously, making sure that they are not in the feeding areas for hygiene.
Fall Preparations
The dropping of the temperatures should be the start of winterizing your coop. Lastly, use the proper materials to check for drafts and, at the same time, enable sufficient ventilation.
This is also the best time for deep cleaning your coop before the winter is upon us.
In addition, make sure the flock eats high-quality feed, which will contribute to maintaining body temperature as it drops.
Winter Care
Use more bedding and materials that will prevent drafts to protect the birds during the winter season.
Both of these species require additional energy to keep warm so you may think about adding cracked corn to their evening meal as a help in the process.
Hot waterers can be the solution for famous water freezing in winter or checking the proper function of all the waterers every day. You better use a heated base chicken waterer.
Moreover, you should target prevention as the key issue with adequate ventilation, but you should close all drafts.
FAQs on Raising Turkeys and Chickens Together
Can turkeys and chickens share the same nesting boxes?
Even though chickens and turkeys can live together, they must have separate nesting places. Turkey hens are generally bigger and will need larger nests. Stage turkey-dedicated big nesting boxes that are about 2-3 times the size of chicken nesting boxes so that they can have comfortable laying areas.
How do I introduce new turkeys to an established chicken flock?
The introduction of turkeys is a careful process; for one, a quarantine period of 2-3 weeks must be adopted. Begin with their placement in adjoining areas that are separate yet visible to one another. You must finish the quarantine process to introduce them only during daylight and closely monitor their interaction.
What’s the ideal ratio of turkeys to chickens in a mixed flock?
They must be kept at a ratio of 1 turkey for every 4-6 chickens. Such a ratio would prevent overcrowding thus reducing the competition for resources. Also, this ratio ensures proper space allotment and minimizes the stress level among the mixed flock, thus ensuring that they coexist with each other in harmony.
Do turkeys require different roosting heights than chickens?
This is true; turkeys go for the higher roosts than chickens because they are heavier and have instincts. Therefore, use the roosts with varying heights, where the turkey is at a 4-5 feet height and the chicken at a 2-3 feet height thus leading to a more comfortable sleeping arrangement.
How can I prevent aggressive behavior between turkeys and chickens?
In such situations, you must take care of a few things. You should give quite a lot of space, more than one feeding point must be provided, and must have separate facilities for each of them. The environment must be conducive with plenty of areas for both species to set up their territories. In the case of overly aggressive birds, weed them out and uphold flock management practices.
Will raising turkeys with chickens affect egg production?
Egg production is generally not affected if proper space and nutrition requirements are met. However, you must provide both species with their specific feeding types and sufficient nesting spaces. Overcrowding leads to stress which in itself can affect egg laying thus, proper flock sizes must be maintained.
Conclusion
The simultaneous raising of turkeys and chickens can be a satisfying experience that can add value to your homesteading life.
Our facts have treated everything from the preparation of sufficient space to a proper feed of poultry and a strict curbing of diseases.
It can be transformed into your brilliant mix flock which will produce joy and work for you in your backyard.
Success is a matter of recognizing the different needs of each member of a chicken or turkey flock and satisfying them.
Whether you’re raising them for meat, eggs, or as pets, maintaining separate feeding stations, ensuring proper housing modifications, and staying vigilant about health monitoring will help your birds live happily.
Be bold and venture into the world of mixed flocks today. Start with these tried-and-true strategies and do not hesitate to consult local poultry experts or veterinarians for further guidance.
You will be harvesting the benefits of being an owner of an exciting, wildly successful, and healthy turkey-chicken coexistence shortly.
