AHHHHHH! Turkeys on the loose!

[Crickett]

Somehow or other (it was DH's fault, I know it was)the latch on the turkey pen wasn't properly latched and all five of my turkeys got out! We managed to get three of them back inside, but two of the hens, Albert and another one, refused! They are staying close by their pen though, and we don't have any predators(that I know of) around. Will they be ok to stay out side? It has been raining a LOT. I think the rain is supposed to be over for the weekend though. I just don't want anything to happen to Albert. She's my favorite, and I wanted to keep her for breeding.

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

Are they BB or heritage and how old are they, My turks run around from the minute thay are as big as a chicken and can fly into the trees

 

[Crickett]

I THINK they are heritage, but I'm not real sure. They have sort of bluish heads, and their feathers are dark brownish. Except for Albert. Her feathers are brownish-black and her head is kind of tan. They are about 3.5 months old. They are all bigger than My chickens that free range, even my biggest rooster, Frank. He's a Barred Rock standard. They weren't trying to fly into the trees or anything. Just walking around.

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

once it gets dark they will try to find sometheing to roost on,it might not be the trees if they haven't tried it yet, if they can get off the ground and under/close to a tree, building, shed you should be fine or try to catch them at dark

 

[Crickett]

Thanks! I was just worried about them. It's dark out now, so maybe my DH can catch them for me. Or if they will be alright, maybe I'll just let them stay out for the night. I always let the chickens and ducks free range during the daytime, so maybe they should too. It always seemed a shame to keep them penned up when the others weren't.

 

[ScoobyRoo]

Mine free range most of the time (day time and penned up at night) and just before they go to roost ( I watch them and can tell when they are ready) I throw a bit of scratch grain in the run I want them to go in and Viola.....Got 'em!! I just have to be quick and satisfy the chickens too. I keep a broom handy to shoo them in. If I'm too late,,,,, well, I gotta bat them off the top of the run,

they don't like that.

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

my turks are my clean up crue they are out and about all the time. did you know that they can handle wind chills below-40 perched in pine trees, I thought I'd have turkey popsicles in the morning , no frostbite too

 

[Crickett]

They did just fine last night. As a matter of fact, DH was going to lock them back up in the pen this morning, and I told him to just let them stay out. They have been free ranging all day, and really seem to like it.