A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

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so this morning turkeys were on full circling freakout. Guess what they were circling?

Mushrooms. Big brown ones.
 
Do any of you run hot wires for predator protection around big fenced in areas? We had a coyote walk up behind us in broad daylight with us sitting outside and try to nab one of our free range geese, so we're looking into fencing in a big area that can finally contain all the poultry and not just my turkeys. I've been looking into electric fencing but I'm not sure what the best combination for keeping things like coyotes/foxes/dogs would be while also keeping in turkeys, geese, chickens and ducks. Any suggestions? We were going to fence in the area with 6ft welded wire and I was thinking about running a wire along the top and the bottom, but I honestly do not know how to work with electric fencing so figured asking people who probably know more then I do might be helpful.
 
yesterDAYNE said:
Do any of you run hot wires for predator protection around big fenced in areas? We had a coyote walk up behind us in broad daylight with us sitting outside and try to nab one of our free range geese, so we're looking into fencing in a big area that can finally contain all the poultry and not just my turkeys. I've been looking into electric fencing but I'm not sure what the best combination for keeping things like coyotes/foxes/dogs would be while also keeping in turkeys, geese, chickens and ducks. Any suggestions? We were going to fence in the area with 6ft welded wire and I was thinking about running a wire along the top and the bottom, but I honestly do not know how to work with electric fencing so figured asking people who probably know more then I do might be helpful.
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There are coyotes and fox around here. I put up a 6' - 2"x4" welded wire perimeter fence and have not had any trouble with either. It does not keep out the skunks or raccoons.

My suggestion is to run electric at the bottom. 12" to 18" from the bottom and near the top.

I do not have any electric fencing around mine.
 
yesterDAYNE said:
Do any of you run hot wires for predator protection around big fenced in areas? We had a coyote walk up behind us in broad daylight with us sitting outside and try to nab one of our free range geese, so we're looking into fencing in a big area that can finally contain all the poultry and not just my turkeys. I've been looking into electric fencing but I'm not sure what the best combination for keeping things like coyotes/foxes/dogs would be while also keeping in turkeys, geese, chickens and ducks. Any suggestions? We were going to fence in the area with 6ft welded wire and I was thinking about running a wire along the top and the bottom, but I honestly do not know how to work with electric fencing so figured asking people who probably know more then I do might be helpful.
Click to expand...
I use electric fence. The turkeys fly over when they want to, but they usually don't unless something is chasing them. Honestly I think it is better that way, in case a predator gets into the yard I don't want them trapped. There is a good thread on electric fence here https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/a-treatise-on-electric-fences-for-poultry.72229/
 
I use 2"x 4" welded wire for fencing also and no electric. I have seen fox, coyotes, racoons, skunks, cats, dogs, in yard and around pens. Have not had any trouble. My smaller breeding and grow out pens have aprons 2' up fencing and 2' out on ground and netting on top. But my main very large pasture pen only has 2" x 4" welded wire with no apron or netting and have not had any trouble with predators. But I only have turkeys using it. Electric hot wire on top and bottom should keep everything out without aprons, but flying predators. But sounds like you already free range and don't seem to have trouble with them so you should be ok.
 
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Thank you all! We have some issues with flying predators, lost a couple of chickens to them, but it's not super feasible for us to have a top on most of our land so instead we try to keep everyone closer to the house and cover. The turkeys and geese thankfully have been pretty unbothered. My only worry with the turkeys being able to cross over the electric only fence is my 3 turkey deaths that I did have were all caused by hens wandering off into the brush on the edge of our pasture/near the highway, us being unable to find them, and them getting eaten by preds. All 3 we lost were that way, which is why I ended up fencing them in the first place. If my dang hens weren't so determined to go get lost and eaten I definitely would like the idea of them being able to run in and out of the fence for protection!
 
yesterDAYNE said:
My only worry with the turkeys being able to cross over the electric only fence is my 3 turkey deaths that I did have were all caused by hens wandering off into the brush on the edge of our pasture/near the highway, us being unable to find them, and them getting eaten by preds. All 3 we lost were that way, which is why I ended up fencing them in the first place. If my dang hens weren't so determined to go get lost and eaten I definitely would like the idea of them being able to run in and out of the fence for protection!
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Yes my older toms don't get out of fencing but hens have especially during breeding / nesting time always trying to sneak away to hide nest. That's y I have smaller breeding pens with netting on top. Same with grow out pens young birds will get out on occasion but netting keeps flying predators out from young birds also. Never had any trouble with flying predators with older larger birds.
 

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