Any ideas on what attacked our turkeys? Coyotes?

Our 6 meat turkeys (about 20 lbs. each) were out wandering our one acre yard while my husband worked in his garage. It was hot so they mostly sat around and panted. Around 2 or 3, we noticed that 2 were missing. We live in the country surrounded by fields. We see coyotes and have seen a fox, but haven't had any losses (except from neighbor's dog).

We scoured the tree line behind the house and found feathers. About 12 feet away our hen was hiding under the brush. She she was severely injured with several deep lacerations on her back and her tail was almost bitten off. We found no sign of the other turkey (male). The turkeys sometimes destroy my garden by the tree line, but they don't go in it. It seems they must have been chased or dragged there.

Then a few hours later we saw the tom running along the fence. He had some skin wounds and few punctures on his lower back area. One pretty deep, but almost more like peck marks.

The wounds were similar in that they were centered on the back and hind end, but were also different. Any ideas? It seems that they wouldn't have escaped from a coyote UNLESS we scared the coyotes away while looking for them? Do coyotes come out in broad daylight like that? Could a fox take a large turkey?

What a traumatic wake up call today has been. Our chickens and turkeys have been free ranging this area with no problems until today. I suppose the slow moving meat turkeys were no match for anything that wanted to attack them. I feel so bad.

Coyotes don't care what time of day, they are bold and cunning, they grab it and drag it off, eat then return until nothing is left or you stop them, my worst nightmare, smart, hard to get a good shot at, most years they leave me alone, but when they decide they want your poultry you are in trouble. Keep the rest secured or they will come back for them.

Not good news, but thanks for the info. Everyone is accounted for today....including the cats.

SIMZ,

Similar story here. We live on acreage and our coops and shelter are close to the woods. When we free range the chickens and turkeys and have lost a number to the coyotes. One trick we have used is to keep a radio on under the shelter when the birds are out, It seems to have worked.

As Oldhen... stated, they will attack at any time and are rather brazen and smart. Never have been able to catch one and I am not one to sit outside waiting for one to take a shot.

Wish you luck.

The Hardemans

My husband went out at night, in the morning, multiple times took almost a month to see it, and two months to get a shot at it, we even bought a night scope, he enjoys the challenge.