This resource has been partially reviewed and updatedA member of The Open Sanctuary Project’s staff has updated one or more sections within this resource. by a member of The Open Sanctuary Project’s team as of April 28, 2023.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
For compassionate caregivers of avian residents, highly pathogenic avian influenza  (“HPAI”) has presented a dual pronged threat. HPAI is both a serious health threat to birds and with regards to associated legal control measures. We strongly urge that sanctuaries caring for avian residents stay informed about HPAI risks both in their region and more broadly so that they can take appropriate measures to keep their residents protected. This includes implementing a biosecurity checklist as well as associated measures, such as cleaning and access logs to avian residents. Heightened quarantineThe policy or space in which an individual is separately housed away from others as a preventative measure to protect other residents from potentially contagious health conditions, such as in the case of new residents or residents who may have been exposed to certain diseases. measures are also highly suggested while the threat of HPAI persists.

When a new turkey arrives, there are a number of critical steps that must be taken to ensure safety for the incoming resident, the existing residents, and yourself!

Take Notes!
Remember to keep good track of all intake information and records of any new resident. Find our Resident Record Keeping guide here.

Identify The Specific Needs Of Incoming Individuals

While turkeysUnless explicitly mentioned, we are referring to domesticated turkey breeds, not wild turkeys, who may have unique needs not covered by this resource., in general, have certain diet, housing, and care needs, you must also consider if the new arrivals require any special accommodations based on their age, breed, sex, health status, known history, or the circumstances of their recent living situation. Each new resident and situation will be different, but some things to consider include:

• If you’re taking in turkey chicks or younger turkeys, you will have to learn how to properly care for them in terms of heat, food, and shelter. Very young turkey chicks who were recently debeaked could be in too much pain to eat on their own and may need assistance. You must be shown how to safely feed them with a syringe, dropper, or feeding tube – doing this improperly can result in aspiration and even death.
• Large breed turkeys have different care needs than non-large breed turkeys when it comes to diet, housing, and flock arrangements.
• Non-large breedA domesticated animal breed that has not been specifically engineered to grow as quickly as possible for the purpose of human consumption. In resources at The Open Sanctuary Project, "Heritage" breeds of turkeys, for instance, are "non-large breed", even if they are physically quite big. turkeys (as well as younger large breedDomesticated animal breeds that have been selectively bred by humans to grow as large as possible, as quickly as possible, to the detriment of their health. turkeys) can fly, so you must make sure the space is set-up accordingly. It’s not uncommon for people unfamiliar with non-large breed turkeys to be shocked to find them perched on the roof of a building or high in a tree, which can make getting them into their predator-proof overnight space quite difficult.
• It’s not uncommon for sanctuaries to be contacted about turkeys who are severely injured – possibly from a predator attack or transport accident. These individuals should be evaluated by a veterinarian immediately. It’s important to note that bite wounds, even if they appear small, can be quite dangerous and almost always require antibiotic treatment.

Adhere To A Quarantine Policy

It is imperative that you implement quarantine protocols to prevent possible disease spread between the new resident and others. Quarantine is critical for all new residents of any species, even if they appear healthy and even if you know exactly where the individual came from! Quarantine procedures protect the rest of your residents (and the humans that care for them) from infectious diseases that may not be producing clinical signs in a healthy-looking arrival – an entire herd or flock could be easily infected, and possibly even killed, by certain infectious diseases. You can read more about quarantine protocols here.  

If you’re taking in a whole flock that was living together previously, you can probably quarantine them together since it’s likely that any diseases they have will be already spread throughout the flock, and staying together may put the new residents more at ease. However, if the flock includes a mix of mature large breed males and females, they will likely need to be separated to protect females from injury by being mounted by large males. If an individual turkey seems very ill or behaving oddly, they should be isolated from the others until a veterinarian determines exactly what’s wrong. Monitor the flock to ensure that the current social situation is safe for everyone. Just because they came in together, doesn’t necessarily mean they get along well. If anyone appears to be getting picked on, find a way to split the group to reduce tensions while avoiding anyone having to live alone unless absolutely necessary.

Enrichment Can Help!
Companionship for flock animals such as turkeys is very important to their health. While quarantine must be given priority for new residents, it’s important to also consider their mental well-being during this time. An enrichment plan can go a long way in reducing stress, boredom, and loneliness for a quarantined individual, and we’ve got multiple resources that can give you ideas for how to do this. We suggest starting with our resources on social enrichment and turkey-safe enrichment.

Be Careful With Those Eggs!
If you typically feed eggs back to some of your residents, we recommend waiting to do so with eggs from quarantined residents until you have gotten the all-clear from your veterinarian.

Evaluating A New Turkey’s Health

When welcoming a new resident to your sanctuary, it is imperative that you assess their overall health to ensure you are addressing any issues as soon as possible. This is accomplished through initial observations, an intake evaluation, diagnostic testing, ongoing observation, and possibly a veterinarian’s assessment of the individual, especially if the new turkey shows any signs of concerns.

Initial Observations

Whenever you welcome a new resident to your sanctuary, it is crucial that you spend some time observing the individual upon arrival to determine any immediate needs they may have. If you or your staff picked up the individual and transported them back to the sanctuary, this observation process will actually begin before the new resident sets foot on sanctuary grounds. Through thoughtful observation, you may be able to identify signs of concern that warrant immediate veterinary care or further assessment on your part. This part of the intake process will also help determine if an intake evaluation must happen immediately or can wait for the new resident to settle in a little bit. In instances where you are taking in multiple new residents, this process will also help you prioritize individuals who appear to require more urgent assessment.

If you are taking in turkeys who look very similar, you must have a system of identifying and documenting individuals while you are getting to know who is who. The use of properly fitting leg bands can be helpful for staff or volunteers who are working on learning everyone’s name and can also be a good way to make sure information is being recorded for the correct individual. When using leg bands, they should be checked regularly to ensure they are not becoming too tight, and you must take care if using them on individuals who are still growing. If the turkey arrived with official identification (such as state issued wing tags or leg bands), it may be a good idea to keep these on for a short period of time if they are not causing issues (especially if the individual arrived from another region that required certain testing or documentation in order to travel into your region, but ultimately we recommend that wing bands be removed since they are an invasive form of identification). Before removing, be sure to record this number (and maybe take a supplemental photo), and keep this information in their record in case you ever need it (such as needing to prove where a certain individual came from). Keep any removed tags with their records.

Prioritizing An Intake Evaluation

It’s important to perform an intake evaluation on all new residents, ideally within 24 hours of arrival, though some may need more immediate assessment. An intake evaluation includes conducting a full health check to evaluate their overall health and to learn more about the individual, as well as to gather important information for their permanent record. Be sure to follow quarantine procedures while conducting the intake evaluation. To learn more about the intake evaluation process, including how to prioritize assessing and addressing a new resident’s needs, check out our resource here! If, for whatever reason, you are unable to perform a full health evaluation shortly after their arrival, you will need to closely observe new residents for signs of concerns and take steps to address those concerns appropriately.

An intake evaluation is conducted in much the same way as a routine health check – you should check every inch of the individual, looking for any signs of concerns and providing any necessary treatments. While there are a variety of issues you may find during a new turkey resident’s intake evaluation, there are some health challenges that are especially common in new turkeys. These include:

• Respiratory Illness – Watch closely, both during the intake evaluation and during the quarantine period, for any signs of respiratory illness such as discharge from the nares, swelling of sinuses and swelling around the eye, discharge from the eyes, sneezing, open-mouth breathing, audible breathing (wet, raspy, squeaky, etc.), and labored breathing, which may include tail bobbing. Turkeys may look dull and tired with puffed feathers, their head may be tucked, and they may have a poor appetite. Respiratory illnesses, of which there are many, are quite common in turkeys. Work closely with your veterinarian to determine the cause of the respiratory illness to ensure appropriate treatment.
• Mobility Issues – You should assess the turkey’s mobility by watching them walk and looking for any abnormalities in their gaitA specific way of moving and the rhythmic patterns of hooves and legs. Gaits are natural (walking, trotting, galloping) or acquired meaning humans have had a hand in changing their gaits for "sport". or shifting of weight when standing. When checking their legs, pay extra attention to their feet and joints (especially their hocks), feeling for any heat, swelling, or crepitus (popping or crunching). Bumblefoot, joint infections, and arthritis are quite common in turkeys, especially large breed individuals, so be sure to work with your veterinarian to evaluate any heat or swelling of feet or legs and any mobility issues to determine the best course of action. Sanctuaries are often contacted about turkey chicks with leg issues, which could be the result of a slipped tendon or congenital deformity. Be sure to have the chick evaluated immediately, as addressing issues as early as possible is imperative. Without knowing exactly what’s going on (typically through diagnostic imaging), you may implement interventions (for example hobbling or physical therapy) that actually cause more harm than good.
• External Parasites – Because sanctuaries often take in individuals who may have had their needs neglected, new turkeyUnless explicitly mentioned, we are referring to domesticated turkey breeds, not wild turkeys, who may have unique needs not covered by this resource. residents often arrive with some type of external parasites such as various forms of lice or mites, including scaly leg mites.
• Internal Parasites – Just as external parasites are very common in newly rescued turkeys, internal parasites are also quite common. In addition to submitting a fecal sample, be on the lookout for any concerning signs of internal parasites such as bloody feces.
• Obesity – While not always the case, mature large breed turkeys often arrive overweight. A severely overweight turkey may be so heavy that they have difficulty standing or walking. These individuals are more prone to developing pressure sores, typically on their hocks and keel. Be sure to watch these areas closely and provide additional padding and protection through additional bedding and/or a padded bandage to protect these areas. It’s important to slowly encourage weight loss through proper diet and find ways to keep the individual up. If they are unable to stand at all, be sure to work with your veterinarian to rule out any other causes of their mobility issues. If the turkey is unable to stand on their own, they will likely benefit from time in a sling or therapy chair to encourage them to use their legs and to prevent pressure sores.

Incoming Testing

If you have not already done so, work with your veterinarian to determine appropriate incoming testing protocols for new turkeys you welcome to your sanctuary. While individuals showing signs of concern may require additional diagnostics, there may be certain tests your veterinarian recommends for all incoming turkeys. At a minimum, all new residents should have a fecal sample submitted to check for internal parasites. Your veterinarian will be able to recommend dewormingThe act of medicating an animal to reduce or eliminate internal parasites, either prophylactically or in response to illness. treatments based on the fecal results. Be sure to submit another fecal sample 10-14 days after any deworming treatment to evaluate its effectiveness. In order to help prevent the ever-increasing resistance to available deworming medications, it’s important to only use dewormers when necessary and to work closely with your veterinarian if resistance to certain dewormers seems to be an issue.

Your veterinarian may recommend other testing based on the specifics of your region. Certain disease confirmations may require an official report to your local government – if testing for screening purposes only, you may want to have a conversation with your veterinarian about what a positive result would mean for the individual and the sanctuary.

Ongoing Observation

Some health conditions may take time to show outward symptoms. While all residents should be observed closely each day, extra attention should be paid to new residents during their quarantine period to ensure any potential issues are caught and addressed as soon as possible. 

Incoming Vaccines

Based on our conversations with the sanctuary community, it seems regular turkey vaccination is rare. However, it’s best to have a conversation with your veterinarian to see if there are certain vaccines they recommend based on the specifics of your resident population and your region. Most, if not all, available turkey vaccines were designed for use in large-scale agricultural settings where the goal is to maximize profits by reducing mortality rates – not all are appropriate for use in turkeys in a sanctuary setting. Also, much of the information on them is based on industry practice, where birds live only a small fraction of their natural lifespan. Make sure you understand both the benefits and risks of any vaccines before implementing at your sanctuary – some vaccines will make residents test positive for the disease, which could have devastating consequences.

Introducing The Newcomer To Other Turkeys

If the new turkey is much less mature than the existing flock, you may want to let them grow up a bit before introducing them to the rest of the flock to ensure their safety during their introduction and to give them time to build up enough immune system strength to handle any disease that might be lurking in the flock. Also consider if a younger turkey will be more vulnerable to certain predators if the flock does not live in a covered aviary.

If you care for multiple flocks of turkeys, be sure to think about which flock seems most likely to be the best fit based on the new individual’s breed, sex, age, and personality, taking into consideration all residents in the flock, if caring for mixed-species flocks. And don’t forget that large breed turkeys have specific needs when it comes to safe cohabitation!

Mixed Flock Living
Turkeys can live among ducksUnless explicitly mentioned, we are referring to domesticated duck breeds, not wild ducks, who may have unique needs not covered by this resource., geeseUnless explicitly mentioned, we are referring to domesticated goose breeds, not wild geese, who may have unique needs not covered by this resource., and chickens (with some important exceptions), however, it’s important to know that chickens can transmit blackhead to turkeys. If you are considering housing turkeys and chickens together, be sure to talk to your veterinarian about the risk of blackhead in your area and steps you can take to keep everyone safe, such as more frequent fecal testing or regular deworming.

Once you’ve ensured that the new turkey is healthy enough to join the resident flock, it can be a good idea to give the turkeys time to get used to each other by spending time in separate, but adjacent spaces, especially if introducing male turkeys to each other (more on tips for introducing males to each other below). Consider setting up an “integration kennel” in, or adjacent to the resident flock’s outdoor space. The new resident can spend time in this transition space during the day and then move back to their own space in the evening (remember they need to be moved to a safe, predator-proof space overnight). Make sure the integration space has everything they need to be comfortable – food, water, enough space, and shade. Pay attention to the forecast – you don’t want residents stuck out in these spaces during uncomfortable weather.

Be aware that, in some instances, individuals may develop a false sense of confidence and may actually fight more through the divider than they would without it. Always make sure that the divider is safe for this sort of activity, and don’t let anyone overdo it. You may need to cover larger gaps with mesh to prevent any direct contact between individuals that could result in injury. How long this phase of the introduction process lasts really depends on the individuals. Watch everyone’s interactions closely. If there seems to be tension between the new resident and the rest of the flock, it’s best to wait for this to subside before moving on to the next stage of the introduction process. 

When you’re ready to try the new resident with the flock, it’s very important that you monitor their introduction in case you need to intervene! It’s best to conduct the introduction outdoors so that residents have ample room to get away from each other if needed. There may be minor fighting at first, as everyone figures out their place in the social hierarchy, but as long as no one is getting injured or overdoing it, it’s generally best to let them sort things out for themselves. However, if things get out of hand, you’ll need to break up conflicts quickly. Watch closely to make sure no one is causing injury and that no one is exhausting themselves or showing signs of overheating. Because large breed turkeys are prone to heat exhaustion, you should avoid conducting introductions during hot weather. Even if things appear to be going well, be sure to provide lots of supervision to ensure everyone is getting along. Some individuals, situations, or areas of the living space may result in more tension than others, so just because everyone is getting along well outside soon after the new resident arrives, that does not mean that there will not be an altercation later on (possibly at meal time, or if the new resident tries to enter the indoor space). 

Sometimes newly introduced residents will get along just fine during the day when they have more room to spread out and avoid each other, but will show signs of discord when closed in for the night. Pay close attention to how everyone behaves after being closed in for the night – if the new resident appears anxious or other residents start pecking at them, offer the new turkey a separate sleeping space (preferably within or adjoining the flock’s living space) – just make sure they have a safe place to roost and that other residents cannot jump or fly into this space.

Nighttime Introductions?
While some recommend introducing new residents at night when everyone is asleep, we feel strongly that all introductions should be supervised and, therefore, advise against this practice. Though it may work for some, there is also the possibility that the new resident will not be welcomed and will have no means to escape from the other turkeys. Even if you plan to check on them early in the morning, we just don’t think it is worth the risk of having residents in a situation where they are trapped with potentially territorial or confrontationalBehaviors such as chasing, cornering, biting, kicking, problematic mounting, or otherwise engaging in consistent behavior that may cause mental or physical discomfort or injury to another individual, or using these behaviors to block an individual's access to resources such as food, water, shade, shelter, or other residents. residents.

Other good techniques to help the turkeys get along include giving them distracting treats like hanging a cabbage from a string, offering new loose foliage to peck through, ensuring plenty of open space in the roost and where the birds eat and drink (especially ensuring equal food and water access), and rearranging the coop when introducing the new resident which could make the space briefly less territorial and may also offer a bit of a distraction as residents explore the rearranged space. If the residents are having trouble with each other, it tends to resolve with time, so don’t give up hope! It may take a few introductions before they all get along.

The New Gang In Town
If you are introducing multiple new turkeys, this may actually improve the odds of an easy introduction to the flock.

Introducing Mature Male Turkeys To Each Other

As with roosters, introducing mature male turkeys to one another can take a bit more planning and patience than introducing female residents to one another. It’s always important to think about how resident living spaces affect social dynamics, but it is especially true for groups of male turkeys. So, before considering introducing or housing male turkeys together, be sure to assess the living space you plan to provide and make sure it is one that will contribute to healthy flock dynamics. The living space should:

• Offer Them Enough Space – In general, the more space you can give them, the better. This will give them the ability to choose whether or not they want to be in close proximity or not. If there is an altercation, there needs to be plenty of space for the individuals to keep their distance. If the amount of space they have prevents them from steering clear of one another (if that is their preference), altercations will be more likely and may last longer than if they had ample space. Keep in mind, these recommendations apply to both indoor and outdoor space.
• Offer Them Visual Barriers And Variety – When it comes to space, the type of space is just as important as how much space you provide. Finding ways to add various visual barriers while avoiding areas where a resident could get cornered by another individual can help reduce tensions and prevent minor squabbles from escalating. An outdoor space with lots of vegetation can provide much of this, as can the addition of ledges or climbing structures (be sure to keep safety in mind, especially for large breed turkeys. Some elevated spaces may not be appropriate and could result in injury). Safe elevated spaces can be used indoors, as well, and can make the space more interesting and allow individuals to carve out their own space. If at all possible, it can be helpful to have multiple entrances to the indoor space to prevent more confrontational residents from blocking others from moving easily between the indoors and the outdoors.
• Be Away From Female Turkey Residents – By offering living spaces that prevent male turkeys from seeing or hearing female turkey residents, you will greatly increase the chance of a successful introduction and overall living arrangement. 
• Offer Lots Of Enrichment – Groups consisting of individuals who are constantly bored are more likely to have tense or problematic group dynamics. By keeping residents engaged and offering a living space that allows them to exhibit natural behaviors, a peaceful living situation is much more likely.

Many of the recommendations regarding rooster introductions can be helpful when working with male turkeys. When introducing male turkeys to one another, we suggest:

• Avoiding Springtime Introductions Whenever Possible – Hormones play a major role in tensions between males, and these hormones are highest during the spring. Though it may be complicated or inconvenient to avoid a springtime introduction, in all likelihood, the introduction will go much better if you can wait for their hormones to come down a bit. Even male turkeys who have been getting along fine for the rest of the year could have more issues during spring, and in some cases, may even need to be separated from each other temporarily.
• Going Slow – We discussed the use of integration kennels above, but it’s important to point out that this type of gradual introduction process is especially helpful when introducing male turkeys to one another.
• Offering Lots Of Supervision – It’s a good idea to provide as much supervision as possible (even after the initial introduction), especially in the spring. This will allow you to monitor the overall dynamic and to intervene when needed.
• Having A Backup Plan – Be prepared to make changes as needed. If someone just isn’t fitting in or is clearly stressed out by their current living situation, be ready to move them into a different space either temporarily or permanently.

Turkey Troubles?
If for some reason a turkey resident just isn’t working out with other turkeys, either due to personality clashes or health challenges, you might find that they get along well with some of your other residents, namely chickens (again, being mindful of the risk of blackhead disease). In general, we think it’s a good idea to give residents the opportunity to have relationships with members of their species if they so choose, but some individuals may get along better with companions of other species. Just be mindful of any potential safety issues that a mixed-flock living arrangement could cause (especially in regards to male turkeys mounting smaller female residents, which could result in serious injury).

With all introductions, monitoring their first few days together (and even longer in the case of male turkeys) is especially critical to make sure everyone is getting along. You may need to offer additional food and water sources away from where the flock typically eats and drinks if the new turkey is getting pushed away or seems wary of the others. Typically, negative interactions manifest as vocalizing, posturing, and circling, but can escalate to biting, kicking, and smacking each other with their wings. Some introductions take a few tries. If it seems the new resident just isn’t working out in the flock, you may need to separate them for now and continue trying supervised visits, or if you have multiple flocks, you may consider trying them with a different group. 

It may seem like a lot of extra steps than simply setting a new turkey into the flock, but if you follow the above guidelines, your new friend will have a much greater chance at a happy, healthy life with you and the flock!

SOURCES:

Turkey Care Guide | Farm Sanctuary

Non-Compassionate Source?
If a source includes the (Non-Compassionate Source) tag, it means that we do not endorse that particular source’s views about animals, even if some of their insights are valuable from a care perspective. See a more detailed explanation here.