Turkeys, Ducks, and Chickens, Oh MY! Can they all peacefully co-exist? Ive gathered some thoughts on keeping a mixed flock and why raising chickens and ducks together is totally doable. Read on to see what Ive learned over the years.
Picture this scenery: Colorful chickens pecking gracefully around, shiny white ducks playing in a water pond, and a stately turkey showing off in the background. Just postcard perfect! Thats the dream, right?!
Well, dont give up on that dream, dear friend, cause it is possible to raise a mixed flock together! Not only does it look idyllic, but raising different fowls together has advantages such as:
– Require only one general type of feed with some added supplements (more on this later).
-Beneficial to your grounds, e.g., Chickens love all sorts of insects, keeping the areas pest-free, but wont eat slugs. Whereas ducks will happily gobble down slugs. And geese are excellent grazers, keeping your grass nice and short.
Raising turkeys and chickens together is becoming an increasingly popular practice for backyard flock owners. While conventional wisdom used to say that you should never mix these two species, many homesteaders have found success in co-housing turkeys and chickens when proper precautions are taken. In this article, we’ll explore the main considerations, benefits, and best practices for managing a mixed turkey and chicken flock.
Key Factors to Consider
When deciding whether to house turkeys and chickens together, here are some key factors to keep in mind:
1. Space Requirements
Turkeys need more space than chickens Provide at least 10-15 square feet per turkey and 3-5 square feet per chicken in coop and run areas Overcrowding increases stress and disease transmission risks,
2. Roosting Considerations
Turkeys prefer to roost higher than chickens Ensure roosts are high enough for the turkeys to avoid conflicts,
3. Brooding Needs
Turkey poults have higher protein requirements and are more sensitive to temperature fluctuations than chicks. Brood species separately.
4. Behavioral Differences
Turkeys can be aggressive and establish dominance through behaviors like pecking. Monitor for bullying.
5. Disease Risks
Blackhead disease is the main health concern. Chickens carry the protozoa that causes blackhead in turkeys. Prevent through cleanliness, sanitation, and worming. Quarantine new birds.
Benefits of a Mixed Flock
When properly managed, housing chickens and turkeys together can offer some advantages:
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Social enrichment – more natural flock dynamics
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Improved pest control – turkeys and chickens tend to forage on different pests
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Space efficiency – sharing coop and run areas
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Possible immunity boost – proximity may help protect chickens against Marek’s disease
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Poult rearing help – poults learn behaviors from chickens
Best Practices for Success
Follow these tips to raise a healthy, harmonious mixed flock:
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Provide ample space with multiple roosts and feeding areas
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Monitor for signs of bullying; intervene if needed
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Quarantine new additions for 30 days before introducing
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Prevent blackhead with cleanliness, sanitation, dry litter, and regular worming
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Tailor feed to meet each species’ needs
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Brood poults and chicks separately
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Ensure proper ventilation and access to outdoor ranges
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Watch for changes in appearance, behavior, droppings
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Isolate and treat any birds showing signs of illness promptly
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Limit exposure to areas with high earthworm populations
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Work with an experienced avian vet to develop a health management plan
Final Thoughts
While raising turkeys and chickens together takes attentive management, many backyard flock owners find the benefits outweigh the extra work. Monitor their interactions, prevent overcrowding, practice good biosecurity, and address their unique needs, and your mixed flock can thrive. Pay close attention to signs of illness, aggression, or stress, and take prompt corrective action. With time and experience, you can master the art of raising happy, healthy turkeys and chickens side-by-side.
Top considerations for raising chickens, ducks, and turkeys together
SPACE
For the most part, all of our birds have gotten along quite nicely and enjoy prancing about doing their own thing.
However, the most critical factors are ensuring they all have enough space and free-range time. This ensures they all get along and tolerate each other in the coop and run until I let them out daily. These are the top 2 reasons we believe our mixed flock is happy and healthy and gets along with each other.
It allows each species to “be themselves” without feeling threatened, not invading each others space and business, and to be able to make a run for it when things get heated.
Waterfowls such as ducks and geese should have ample water space so that each specie have their own little area where they can hang out and avoid bullying. Or, you could also have more than one watering spot, so each has its own.
I would recommend not having too many ducks. They tend to be very messy and sloppy, making the coop, run, yard, and watering holes a mess. ( Trust me, I am experiencing this daily!). I would say 4 ducks and about 10 + chickens is a good mix.
COOP/RUN
Our current coop is not very large but can house plenty of hens if needed. However, the turkeys are a bit too big, and its not ideal for them.
Turkeys tend to love being outdoors, so I have put large branches out in the run, and the turkeys love perching up there! Some of the hens also sleep outside, and since they are in an enclosed run, I do not worry at all!
As ducks and geese prefer to sleep on the floor, I always ensure there are areas with pine shavings or hay where they can nestle together. The turkeys and chickens have roosting poles or nests. If everyone has a safe space at night, they will be happy!
Ducks with their webbed feet cannot climb onto ramps, so I would advise having their nesting boxes at a floor level. And for the chickens, elevated nesting boxes with ramps.
Usually, turkeys will try to find a nesting spot outside in nature, in tall grass, or at the base of a tree. Domesticated turkeys that are caged in will nest in large nesting boxes or find a spot in the run, away from the flock.
FEED
A mixed flock can have many different dietary needs, depending on their age, lifestyle factors such as brooding, and any illnesses. But, luckily for us, most of the birds generally eat similar things, which makes it a bit easier!
An 18% protein, non-medicated chicken feed would be the best fit for your whole flock. By adding a few supplements as needed, and grit that aids in digestion, your flock would be happy, healthy, and fit.
For laying hens, offer them extra calcium in the form of crushed oyster- or eggshells. If they feel they need it, they will eat it.
If youve got baby chicks or poults (baby turkeys), they will need different protein concentrations. I.e., poults need 28% protein until 6 weeks and then 26% protein until 12 weeks. And chicks need 20% protein until 8 weeks old.
For this reason, I like to place a feeder with the correct ratios specifically for them in their vicinity at mealtimes. They usually figure out that Ill feed them special food and come running! I try to manage it as best as I can!
Ducks need niacin that’s crucial for their leg development and health. Chicken feed does not include this, so be sure to add some brewers yeast to your feed if youve got ducks. It wont hurt your chickens, and it will ensure your ducks are getting enough of what they need.
Ducks also need to be able to forage for grass and insects. If they are only fed commercial feed, it could cause Angel Wing – a nutritional deficiency in vitamins and minerals combined with a high level of carbohydrates and sugars.
With a large flock, its probably a good idea to have multiple feeders and waterers placed around the run and your yard. This will ensure everyone has a place to eat and there is less squabbling. Its especially a good idea if you have little ones or younger flock that need a different feed.
Always have fresh, clean water available. Fowls make quite a mess!
If you have ducks, be sure to have bowls deep enough for them to be able to fully immerse their beaks in the water to properly drink and clean their airways.
Adding some apple cider vinegar to the water also offer added benefits such as clearing the airways from bacteria, strengthening their immune system, and helping with the gut and digestion.
And dont forget the treats! Everyone loves treats! Starting early on, I will give treats, letting them know that Im the treat lady. This makes it so much easier when nighttime comes, and its time to lock everyone up. Theyll come running straight to you!
My flock adores Grubbies, mealworms, cabbage, lettuce, scrambled eggs, and THIS summer treat which is always a winner!
HERE is a guideline on what your flock can and cannot eat.
DISEASES
The best way to prevent diseases is to ensure fresh air circulation in the coops and let your flock roam freely with ample open space. It also helps to frequently move the coop and roosting poles to fresh ground so that manure doesnt pile up in one location.
Be aware! Turkeys are prone to a deadly disease called blackhead disease.
Chickens can be carriers of this disease without showing any symptoms. When turkeys and chickens share food, or turkeys digest some infected chicken poop, it can be detrimental.
My birds have a lot of free-range time, so their time in close quarters is lessened, which helps prevent some of their exposure to this and other health issues. I monitor and regularly deworm everyone with pumpkin seeds, garlic, turmeric, and other natural things you can mix with their food. This helps keep things at bay.
Constantly monitor your flock and dont introduce new birds that could potentially be infected. Its also a great idea to check in with your local vet about the possibility of black disease and others in your surrounding areas.
Can Turkeys & Chickens Live Together?
FAQ
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