Aggressive Stag

[SusieH]

Firstly Happy Easter to you all.
My lovely stag turkey Orlando (aged 10 months), who has always displayed to any strangers, has started to attack me. At night when I shut in the chickens he flies down from his perch and jumps at me feet first or lunges at me with his head and beak. He even flies down if it is dark. This morning for the first time he attacked me when I let the chickens out. I tried to pick him up as I find with cocky Cockerals a good cuddle usually sorts them out but he's too big. I decided to confront him and become the dominant one so I walked directly at him but he just kept flying at me feet first. In the end I backed out with the hopper lid as a shield! Now I'm really scared to go into the pen with him. Will he always be like this now or will he calm down again. I am really fond of him but he'll have to go if I can't even enjoy the chickens. Any advice? Many thanks. Sue x

 

[SusieH]

Have re-homed both the stag and hen as it got ridiculous - couldn't even get in the pen without a shield! (not just me either - he hated everyone!) They have settled in very well to a local smallholding thankfully. Will try again with only females maybe?

 

[chrismahon]

I had a similar problem with a Swan that wandered into the Orchard off the canal. Tried to take me on flapping its wings and running at me hissing and snapping. A swift back hand across the beak and the problem resolved itself. Wasn't deliberate on my part or hard, just an instinctive reaction which worked.

 

[Lordcluck]

Turkey Stags vary in their aggressiveness, so I wouldn't be put off trying another one with hens? some will always be rogue ( like yours SusieH) and are better off wrapped in tinfoil in a roasting tin, but most only show slight aggressive tendencies during the breeding season, and soon revert to their docile selves once the mating season has passed.
Most angry Turkey stags and Cockerels for that matter, respond with even more savagery if you meet their attacks with aggression. It's then that what maybe only seasonal, hormonal temper can become permanent ingrained behaviour, so I would avoid any confrontational approach with a stroppy Stag where possible!

 

[Magweno]

My 6mth old turkey started doing exactly the same thing. I was devastated, he was such a sweet, lovely bird! I had even taught him to play fetch. But once he drew blood that was it... He's in the freezer now. We did get him with the intention of being Christmas dinner so I guess in that respect he was lucky he had an extra three months!