A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[R2elk]

Out of the 13 there is 3 that are roamers that I think about culling. Without those 3 that head out on a one way direction, jumping fencing never think of turning around and coming back. They are the ones that even with me being there to herd them in another direction they try to out pace me to get past me. Think with out their influence the rest of the group will keep close to the inner property and within the pastures happily.

Are they at the bottom of the pecking order?

Have you used long sticks as extensions of your arms to teach them to herd?

 

[PatriciafromCO]

the 3 are at the top of the age group. fully independent to head out on their own. They set the direction of movement for the rest of the group.

I have an older tom and an earlier hatched female that raised them ,trained them, keep watch out, that the rest of the 10 in the group follow closely and respond to.

the 3 are good and calm being herded, but they test to see if they can get around me. lol reminds me of growing puppies lol..

The rest of the group are calm and tight for herding are about 90% responding to verbal and hand directions at a distance. And the rest of the group stay on pattern which includes staying away from the frontal fencing and turning around within the pasture.

am pretty sure the 3 are toms.

 

[Molpet]

Turkey's are naughty critters lol... But they also very good. Spend the day checking on them, changing their direction, sending them out to pasture. With the colder mornings they hover close to the house and barns. 2pm if it's not windy or overcast is when they are ready for a long graze then come back eat some more feed, rest then happy to go into the barn for the night. I've gotten a lot of exercise working with them. The colder weather has slowed them down, that and I keep feeding/watering stations (4) within their movement pattern full throughout the day.

Out of the 13 there is 3 that are roamers that I think about culling. Without those 3 that head out on a one way direction, jumping fencing never think of turning around and coming back. They are the ones that even with me being there to herd them in another direction they try to out pace me to get past me. Think with out their influence the rest of the group will keep close to the inner property and within the pastures happily.

am pretty sure the 3 are toms

Life is much easier when I fill the freezer with these types.

 

[PatriciafromCO]

lol yes there are some freezer canidates lol... I wont be able to sustain the chaos of all these turkeys if next year is as successful as this year..

 

[PatriciafromCO]

good update is the momma with 5 babies that I set up the campershell for. She and babies have found her way into the goat barn!..Makes me happy ..