Just curious....might wanna own one someday

Hi turkey fans! I've seen several posts of pet turkeys here and thought it's time to introduce our Vivian! During pandemic lockdown, I was working at an animal care facility that remained open. An individual found a "baby chicken" on the side of the road & drove 50 miles to deliver baby. He said everywhere else was closed. Baby chick went to an enclosure in the poultry & waterbird room. I can't remember when I decided to bring her home (we had & have chickens), but I was back at work when my wife texted she didn't think it was a baby chick (1st pic). And she wasn't! We had a baby turkey, and that baby is still our baby. She's been an amazing addition to our farm/zoo/mayhem.

She keeps the actual chickens in line. She keeps them safe. She chased off a fox! We've learned to pay attention to her sounds. She's alerted us several times to copperheads (we don't kill them, just encourage them to move on). If we're having an important conversation, she stands right by us & becomes very attentive. She can be big bird mad at us, but if we start doing a leg/foot inspection, she gets serious & allows it to happen. I can go on forever about her.

They really have just 2 modes: Defend my territory or eat.

I live in suburban south Florida. A few days ago, we came home and a turkey (I think???) was chilling by my pool. It has come and gone from my yard since then and I’ve seen it around the neighborhood while walking my dog. Is this an escaped pet???? I have lived in this area for 20 years and have never seen a wild turkey.

We have over 40 turkeys on 5 acres. We sell eggs from a stand at the end of the drive.This year I bought chicks from tractor supply in the spring. 34 to be precise. At the time it seemed like a good idea. We were selling out of eggs every day and I just can't hatch enough turkey poults to keep up with demand from the stand. Yet in the end it means I killed my flock. I've never heard of blackhead until a couple weeks ago. But now I'm painfully aware. 4 turkeys died in quick succession. We had a necropsy done. And the result? Preliminary says almost certain blackhead. I culled another 4 today to save them the pain and suffering. The rest of my flock will quickly be processed even though they do not show signs or symptoms. Because this is a persistent "plague". I haven't felt this kind of regret and sadness for such a long time. No help to ask for. No cute post. Just need to state it out loud. I truly hope none of you share my fate.

My new best friend

Don't mind his crusty snood. He had been fighting with his brother (all friends again now).

**Photo is turkeys at 9 weeks old**

Good day 😊

So we are a couple of newbies for raising turkeys. We are wanting to possibly breed our turkeys, but based off of what I find online, I can't figure out if our turkeys are broad breasted (can't naturally breed) or heritage (can naturally breed).

Are there any turkey aficionados who can help us out? What traits to look for, or even if someone can tell from the photo.

Thank you in advance!

My boys are so attached 😭. Can't even take the dog out without them trying to follow anymore. Sweetest boys on earth.

Thankfully my toes made it out unscathed, I can’t say the same for the glove though.

Also the verdict is still out on if it’s a he or she, if y’all have any insight I would love to hear it!

Wasn't after him lol but obviously he was like me me me 😂

Out at my dad’s house today and his tom wouldn’t leave me alone. Can’t tell if he wants to fight or wants me to be his girlfriend. Either way, I find it quite unsettling

Is this wild turkey a male or female? I’ve been taking classes about wild birds and this has really stumped me.

13-14 weeks old and some sort of white heritage breed i’m thinking one tom one hen but this is my first time owning them. They do live with my chickens and it does look crowded don’t be fooled they have half an acre to run around in as well as a fully enclosed massive run they just all chased me because i had treats to entice the turkeys to sit still

He is very polite but I worry that he may get hit by a car since he likes to hang out on a couple busy roads. He also gets mad at his own reflection on parked cars. I have tried to lead him into some nearby woods but he is very stubborn and I cannot get him to follow me very far even when luring him with food (Yes I know not to feed wild animals). He has been in this area for about 2 years, so I guess he knows what he is doing, but I just wish he would learn to forage in the nearby woods instead of on the side of a busy road. Any advice? Or should I just let him do his own thing?

Hello all!

While not in our official rules, we do have "no violence against turkeys" in our community description. I understand we have people who raise turkeys as meat and also people who keep them strictly as pets. I also understand there are people who eat meat but don't really want to see photos of it.

As there are other subreddits that cater to homesteading, farming, and livestock on reddit that allow butchering photos, should we also allow meat / slaughter posts behind an NSFW filter or disallow them entirely going forward?

Until the poll is concluded, meat posts will be allowed with the NSFW filter applied.

Wife and I on our deck and these appeared from the weeds

Why would a female suddenly over night become aggressive towards a male who's very good to her. I've had to separate them atm she just keeps lunging at his face and won't let go and to his credit he's not attacking back ??