Are all toms aggressive this time of year?

[GBov]

This is the first time I have had a breeding age tom turkey and its now a case of rush in, grab him round the neck, swoosh him under my arm to pin his wings and shove him in a cage inside the big run so I can fill the feeder and water-er.

Is it normal for a tom to be so aggressive?

He is slated for the fridge next week but I want a breeding trio of Bourbon Reds next year but with three small kids, I do NOT need super aggressive LARGE birds!

I have never allowed an aggressive rooster to live but older turkeys are new to me, I usually eat them before they get to this age lol.

[Jennifer L.]

Well, it's certainly the time of year when they fire up, so if you are going to see aggression it would be now.

I have always had multiple toms ( I free range 60-70 turks right now, about half toms) and have never had a tom aggressive to me in ten years. I think it may be that when they are by themselves they assume the other big animals in their world are other turkeys and therefore during breeding season they become aggressive towards those "other big animals" which is you.

About the small kids, my advice on that is you can never trust poultry with kids. Shiny eyes can be targets of sharp bills, not because of meanness but because of curiosity. Turks are very interested in anything like plump finger tips (might be a grape or a grub), ear rings, buttons, etc. You get the idea. What might not be a problem in a five pound chicken starts to be one when the hen is 15 pounds and over two feet tall. At the very least, your kids have to be old enough to understand they need to be careful around them.

Good luck with them! Turkeys are absolutely wonderful birds, my favorite poultry by far.

Jennifer

[eclipchic]

Our roosters have gone aggressive too lately. Must be in the air. I culled one yesterday because he would not leave my 2 yo alone for anything....even with me right there. No one messes with my kiddo

[Karenrbw]

I have had BBB turkeys and haven't had a problem with the toms. They might drum a little more than usual, but have never threatened me in any way. I usually take a tom or two to a petting zoo we always have towards the end of February. The little kids love the sight of a puffed up tom and the drumming always thrills them.

[GBov]

My arm is almost healed but he got me pretty good with his claws. Just rocketed tward me feet first and POW, slashed my arm.

Two hard kicks and a grab swoop later he was in a cage but the poor lady watching me feed them almost had a heart attack lol.

He was in with another male but I sold him because I didnt want them killing eachother and they were going that way.

Am going to enjoy getting rid of him - yummmmmm - but will miss the sight of him all puffed out gobbling and booming at things.

Do any of you eat turkey eggs?

[Karenrbw]

We collect and eat the eggs we don't want hatched. DD loves them because the yolks are so big and that is her favorite part. They are a little tough to crack, but nothing like a guinea egg.

[olivehill]

Personally? He'd be in the freezer. Aggression is not tolerated. Especially repeated aggression.

[Backfourty,MI.]

Our Tom Turkey is very friendly. Loves attention & to be held on your lap and petted. I would try that with your young birds when you get them but all of them are different. We've never had an aggressive Tom so far, we have Royal Palms now but raised BB whites & Bronzes for 2 years before that & they always behaved fine too.

[Brownie]

Some are tame and some are mean. We have had both cases. I don't really know what caused the difference...

I've only had one aggressive tom and he went to the swap (yes, I told the buyer about him). Aggression can be an inherited trait so when I have a bird that shows it they are gone.

Those Bronze toms are a handful enough without having to fend off their attacks!