Will a Turkey Protect Chickens?

Raising chickens and turkeys together is a common practice for many backyard flock owners. The idea of having a big tom turkey act as a guard for the chickens against predators is appealing. But does it really work that way? Will a turkey actually protect chickens? Let’s take a closer look.

Can Turkeys and Chickens Live Together?

First, it’s important to know that chickens and turkeys can generally live together without major issues When raised together from a young age, the two species will see each other as flock mates.

Turkeys and chickens have similar needs when it comes to housing, feed, and care. So keeping them together does not require any significant changes to your setup.

Some key things to keep in mind when housing turkeys and chickens together:

• Provide adequate space – turkeys need more room than chickens. Aim for at least 10-15 square feet per bird in the coop and run.

• Use turkey feed – turkeys have higher protein requirements than chickens. Feeding a game bird or turkey ration will ensure the nutritional needs of both species are met.

• Add roosts low and high – chickens prefer roosting high up, while turkeys prefer lower roosts closer to the ground Having options allows both to roost comfortably.

• Separate at night – turkeys and chickens may fight for roosting space at night. Letting them sleep in separate areas can prevent issues.

So in general, turkeys and chickens can coexist together when their needs are met. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the turkeys will take on a protective role.

Will Turkeys Guard the Flock?

The idea of big toms protecting their flock is a nice thought. But in reality, it’s not an instinct turkeys have. Their main concerns are mating and establishing dominance – not guarding other birds.

There are a few reasons why turkeys are unlikely to act as true “guardians”:

• They don’t recognize chickens as their offspring – Turkey hens will fiercely protect their own poults. But they have no instinct to protect chicks belonging to chickens.

• They may fight with roosters – Dominant tom turkeys often battle with roosters over flock hierarchy. This infighting leaves the flock more vulnerable.

• They focus on breeding – During mating season, tom turkeys can become aggressive and chase after chickens, even injuring hens by attempting to mate with them.

• They provide a false sense of security – Having a turkey may make you less vigilant about security, when in fact they offer limited protection.

So while turkeys won’t purposefully attack or harm chickens in a mixed flock, they also won’t go out of their way to guard them either. Their presence alone does not deter predators.

Realistic Protection from Turkeys

Does this mean turkeys serve no protective purpose whatsoever? Not exactly. There are some ways they can contribute to flock safety:

• ** Alarm calls** – Turkeys have loud vocalizations and will call out when disturbed. This can alert chickens to potential danger.

• Intimidating presence – A large tom turkey may make some predators think twice before entering the area. Their size and aggressive displays can be intimidating.

• Increased eyes and ears – With more birds on lookout, there is a better chance of spotting a predator quickly.

So turkeys do provide an extra set of eyes, ears and voices to the flock. Theirsize deters smaller predators. And they can help alert chickens and raise alarm when threats are detected.

But they should not be solely relied upon to actively fend off coyotes, hawks, raccoons and other serious chicken predators. Their guarding abilities are limited.

Tips for Safely Keeping Turkeys and Chickens Together

If you want to keep turkeys and chickens together, here are some tips to do it safely:

• House turkeys and chickens separately at night when they are most vulnerable.

• Allow plenty of space for the turkey – cramped quarters lead to aggression.

• Provide roosts and cover for chickens to retreat from dominant toms.

• Keep an eye on interactions as mating season approaches – separate if needed.

• Discourage turkey mating behaviors like stomping and charging at chickens.

• Do not leave birds unattended in open areas – supervise free ranging.

• Use secure, predator-proof housing and fencing to protect the entire flock.

• Add guard animals like livestock guardian dogs if predation is a major concern.

The bottom line is that turkeys alone will not act as protectors for chickens. They can add an extra element of alarm and security, but serious protections for the entire flock should still be in place.

With proper precautions and management, turkeys and chickens can coexist together relatively safely. But don’t rely solely on the myth of the guard turkey to protect your flock. Implement layers of protection that don’t depend on the turkey’s limited protective instincts.

So be realistic about what turkeys can offer in terms of security. Take steps to protect the whole flock from harm. And enjoy the unique benefits turkeys can add to a mixed backyard flock when integrated properly. With some added care, chickens and turkeys can live together successfully while minimizing risks to either species.