Can turkeys be free ranged

[porkchop48]

I am thinking of getting a couple turkeys next spring to raise up for butcheringin the fall.

Is there a breed that can be free ranged? Or any suggestions on breeds would be great.

 

[ColbyNTX]

Any breed can freerange.

 

[lilchick]

I live in the country with large front and backyard. I let my growing turkeys out of their pen in afternoons to explore and eat grass and insects.

At first they were nervous and stood around or followed me like puppies. After a few days they figured it out and nothing sweeter than the sound of turkeys chirping that happy talk while eating...

Eventually they will be able to stay out all day after they learn to go to roost on their own. Right now I can get them to go anywhere with a bucket of feed...

My older turkeys do occasionally roam into pastures and wooded area but mostly they stay close to home..




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[aggieterpkatie]

My turkeys free-range and they've been ranging too far.

A friend called me the other day and said they were across the road! Now I need to find a way to pen them up, but i hate to cut their wings.

 

[Frosty]

I had to pen up my BBW turkeys after I found them down by the rail road tracks (the tracks are about 1/4 mile down the road and heavily used). The heritage birds are locked up because I have neighbors with dogs. The dogs haven't attacked anything in my yard (yet) but the turkeys could go 'visiting' and not come back.

 

[jc12551]

I let my teenagers out of the afternoon. They herd the chickens around the yard and harass my dog

I worry about the neighbors' dogs and the coyotes. I was out feeding at 8am this morning and a neighbor shot a coyote about 45 feet from the end of my pen (I was IN the pen when he saw it headed that way and ran out with the rifle). Mine roost in the trees at night, spend the day mostly in the run, just flying in and out as they see fit.

 

[adoptapitbull]

I free range mine. I've only had them a short while, but they act just like the chickens. Usually they are some of the first birds to greet me as I pull in the driveway.

 

[erinszoo]

We have a midget white that free ranges with our chickens, geese, and duck. It will roost on the fence to the chicken pen and on the surround of the compost heap, but so far hasn't tried to go over the fence at all. Seems happy. Likes to follow us around when we are out with it and is very curious about everything we do.

 

[kuntrygirl]

My turkeys free range.

 

[lishah2000]

Mine free range, but my property is fenced. Never had any of them leave the property.

Did once have a peacock and a tom visit (before I had any turkey). (The call from the neighbor was pretty funny - do you have a turkey - no - well there is one on your roof) The tom came from about a 1/4 mile down the road. Think he just followed the pea - neither has been back.