I have been very impressed lately with my turkeys' ability to spot hawks and things in the sky. They notice things long before the chickens do. Way, way up high, just tiny specks circling around. Except today, one of the chickens was on guard first, before the turkeys noticed anything. But it was only a heron. I guess it has to be something really big for the chickens to see it first.
In the last week or so, there has been a pair of hawks checking out the yard. I actually think they might be juveniles, and learning their way in the world, because they are really small for hawks. Also darker grey than usual, so maybe a different kind than our normal red tails. But one has landed on the fence a few times, and then the turkeys get all puffed up and agitated and start stalking towards the hawk, which causes it to fly away. I am very proud of how protective the turkeys are. That's why I got them, and they seem to be doing a good job. They have also chased away a squirrel, and two baby raccoons that were wandering around one afternoon without any mother.
Tonight while we were eating dinner, we could see that the turkeys were staring at something, but not way up in the sky. Their eyes were directed closer to the earth. Something was really bothering them. We couldn't see anything, but the turkeys kept up their watch, and all the chickens took cover. Then after a while of this, a big hawk flashed from the trees across the yard, and then disappeared over towards the neighbors'. I know people say that turkeys as hawk-guards aren't a fool proof deterrent, but I'm positive that their alertness goes a long way towards giving the chickens time to take cover. They don't always seem to be paying attention, but they must have some kind of sixth sense that tells them when to look up. They are usually just eating, dust bathing, and walking around doing turkey-like things. But they must always have one eye scanning the environment, because nothing gets past their notice.
Having them out there is kind of like having a meter. If the turkeys are acting normal with their feathers down, everything is fine. If I look out and see puffed turkeys on alert, then I know to check for something. Nine times out of ten it's just vultures, but it's comforting to know that the turkeys are on the job.
In the last week or so, there has been a pair of hawks checking out the yard. I actually think they might be juveniles, and learning their way in the world, because they are really small for hawks. Also darker grey than usual, so maybe a different kind than our normal red tails. But one has landed on the fence a few times, and then the turkeys get all puffed up and agitated and start stalking towards the hawk, which causes it to fly away. I am very proud of how protective the turkeys are. That's why I got them, and they seem to be doing a good job. They have also chased away a squirrel, and two baby raccoons that were wandering around one afternoon without any mother.
Tonight while we were eating dinner, we could see that the turkeys were staring at something, but not way up in the sky. Their eyes were directed closer to the earth. Something was really bothering them. We couldn't see anything, but the turkeys kept up their watch, and all the chickens took cover. Then after a while of this, a big hawk flashed from the trees across the yard, and then disappeared over towards the neighbors'. I know people say that turkeys as hawk-guards aren't a fool proof deterrent, but I'm positive that their alertness goes a long way towards giving the chickens time to take cover. They don't always seem to be paying attention, but they must have some kind of sixth sense that tells them when to look up. They are usually just eating, dust bathing, and walking around doing turkey-like things. But they must always have one eye scanning the environment, because nothing gets past their notice.
Having them out there is kind of like having a meter. If the turkeys are acting normal with their feathers down, everything is fine. If I look out and see puffed turkeys on alert, then I know to check for something. Nine times out of ten it's just vultures, but it's comforting to know that the turkeys are on the job.
