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Barnyard Buddies:  Mixing poultry  |
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SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 07 2008 : 7:06:55 PM
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| Hey, does anybody grow chickens and turkeys together? In the turkey and poultry books I've been reading, this is a big NO NO, they say to put them like 100 ft apart or something like that. Well, anyhow, this vet whose kids I babysit for said that's not necessary, he and his dad have always done them together. Now, he's not necessarily a "poultry" specialist, more cats and dogs and large animals, but, he is a vet, and has experience with doing this. So, any comments or ideas? Thanks! (we have chickens, but have never done turkeys and would like to try this year) |
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jun 08 2008 : 3:51:50 PM
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I always read not to do it...but I have to admit that I had a pet turkey who did "run" with my hens for years. They all ignored each other, and truth be told..big old Earl was more in danger of being hurt by those little banty chickens that they were by him. He was a gentle giant. I think the disease that is worried about when putting chickens and turkeys together is called blackhead. I can't remember if it is a turkey or a chicken disease (or maybe both) but sounds like it is rare and alot of folks dont' worry about it.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - Jun 09 2008 : 3:52:03 PM
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Blackhead is a Turkey disease Aunt Jenny. It's supposed to cause some kind of issues in the chickens (if they're exposed), but I can't remember off hand what it does. I have not heard of an active case in all the years I've been rasing barnyard fowl, so I don't think it's very common. I think it might be more of a problem in commercial poultry production because the animals are kept in close, confined quarters and are raised VERY unnaturally.
I read all that stuff about not putting turkey's and chickens together too Sheila, but I've never had any problems. I've raised several Trukey's over the years and always housed them with the chickens, geese and ducks. The books also said not to let your chickens be exposed to outside birds or WILD birds. Well, other than putting your chickens in a plastic bubble, they're ALWAYS going to be exposed to wild birds somehow!
If there is plenty of room for the birds, your chicken house is clean and well ventilated, you shouldn't have to worry about anything.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
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mrsmorgen
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
morgen
coudersport
pa
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2008 : 05:28:39 AM
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My girlfriend has her chickens and ducks and turkeys together. She has never had a problem either!
Morgen
I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all..
laura ingalls wilder
www.laubers.blogspot.com |
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Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2008 : 4:36:39 PM
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The chickens, ducks, and turkeys are all together in my yard. I worried at first about the blackhead disease, but it was too much of a pain to keep them separated. LOVED my turkey, though, and had to leave for a while on execution day. I knew he was going to be food all along, but he would sit on my welcome mat, begging for treats and follow me around the yard.
Funny Farm ramblings www.happydalehobby.blogspot.com/
tvåla Handmade, LLC. www.tvalahandmade.com |
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Barnyard Buddies: Mixing poultry |
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Mixing poultry
