A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[rjohns39]

So far, I think my turkeys are pretty smart. Haven't done anything really stupid - YET!

One of my drinkers has a "no perch" wire on it that is supposed to prevent birds from perching... My young poults, 4 weeks now are all perching on it.

 

[rjohns39]

Flashpoint....I taught Daisy to use some of my dog agility equipment. I love turkey training. They are suspect of new things tho. After eyeballing said new object, they will eventually investigate. New things sure do rock their world!

My girls love to "help" when I building shelters.

 

[rjohns39]

It's a horrible picture (camera not my friend) but here's Sam and her poults in my front yard.

 

[yoopergirl1211]

I had seperated the little boy yesterday because of swelling while we were at auction. He has bruises from slamming his head into the side of cage! The swelling was a lot lower but now he looks like he got into a fist fight. This one is definitely higher strung then all of my others.

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

Lol, silly little buggers! The realy don't handle change well do they?

I now have another turkey hen. She's a Bourbon buff, one of my own from last year. I was asked if I could adopt her back since she was lonely (the other turkeys wandered off with the wild ones). Sabrina is now in quarentine and very skittish. I hope she'll learn that we're her friends. She is a pretty girl.

I met Sabrina when I stopped by. She is pretty, but definitely needs some friends. Glad she will be with others soon.

My 4 new Midget "nearly" Whites are doing so well now. There was only one day of hazing from the older poults and now they all hang out together. The new whites also learned to sleep in the coop with everybody in 2 days as well.

 

[Flashpoint]

Flashpoint....I taught Daisy to use some of my dog agility equipment. I love turkey training. They are suspect of new things tho. After eyeballing said new object, they will eventually investigate. New things sure do rock their world!

I understand the turkeys are skittish - about certain things. That said, mine follow me everywhere, get on everything, poke around in any stuff they see, walk between my cart and old riding mower (my real and consistent "second hand"), get on the cart, get in the cart, throw stuff OUT of the cart! They don't even care if it's running and it's awfully loud.

The other day, Brandie toted out a pack of lock washers and an old fire starter stick from my shed that were in a partially opened drawer and a box.

I wonder if I can teach her to pick up trash?

I do NOT see where they are particularly worried about much. Yes, if they think something is over head, they will scatter in a heartbeat. Yet, in mere moments, they are back with me. Tommie will poke someone in the head if they get in front of his getting in front of me. Maybe he loves me?


But, as of this time (and subject to change), I have not seen "stupid" in this particular group. Nor have I seen them freak out over something new as they are the first to go investigate. And, if you can teach your turkey to go through an obstacle course, that alleviates the notion of Daisy being "stupid". I think they pick up on things pretty quick, myself.

I am sure there are dummies in any group of birds. I have some pretty dumb chickens and a couple really really smart(ass) ones, too! I have ducks and one in particular who NEVER stops quacking (Ralphena) and in the past several years, I have never seen them do anything stupid, either.

Sometimes, I think the idea of turkeys being stupid is a myth that keeps on giving. If you think some one or even some animal is stupid, then it is stupid, no matter what they do. I have seen humans do that to each other for decades.

Anyway, I will never say one of the turkeys couldn't do something really dumb (even for a bird), but if they do, I will be the first to say so.

 

[Flashpoint]

One of my drinkers has a "no perch" wire on it that is supposed to prevent birds from perching... My young poults, 4 weeks now are all perching on it.

I had put up a 3/8 inch nylon rope about 4 inches above the wire (5 ft high) fence of one of my pens that the turkeys were in. It was just hanging there, supposedly so they would see it and maybe not fly out while I was getting the enclosed pen done. Right. So Goldie flies up and sits on the daggone thing and it's so flimsy, she's waffling in the wind. But she sat there!

Proves she has an exceptional sense of balance!


The turkeys are about 4 and a half months old and this was only 10 days ago. They are not exactly "small" anymore.

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

I'm just posting this picture because I think it's cute. Here's two of my loves sharing a drink. Thank you Cesar Milan for the dog training on your show!

 

[OneMountainAcres]

I met Sabrina when I stopped by. She is pretty, but definitely needs some friends. Glad she will be with others soon.

My 4 new Midget "nearly" Whites are doing so well now. There was only one day of hazing from the older poults and now they all hang out together. The new whites also learned to sleep in the coop with everybody in 2 days as well.

I feel bad keeping her in the crate for her quarentine. She wants or in the worst way and is so scared right now. I half afraid that once I do move her to the coop that she'll fly over the fence and take off. I'm hoping she'll make friends and have no desire to leave.

Glad your new whites are doing good and have been accepted by the others

 

[memphis]

Good points Flash! I've never found my turkeys to be particularly skittish. Just caution at first, then their curiosity overcomes them.
AnneintheBurbs....great picture!! Love it!