Free range

[archerobx]

I am looking into free ranging the poults when they hatch.
My questions is, I have a decent amout of wild turkey traffic, and was wondering would I have to worry about them joining a wild turkey flock?

thanks
Ryan

 

[Struttn1]

how long are u planning to pen raise them before you release? If you release new hatched poults right after hatching they have 0% chance of surviving.

 

[KOTurkeyRanch]

Wait about 8-9 weeks before you let them outside overnight. If you watch them you can let them out everyday just keep a very close eye on them.

 

[Beekissed]

If you free range and you are near a woodline, you can expect that your hens can and will be bred with wild toms. Not sure if they would go wild at this point, not real likely, but they will have little half breeds following them around. My sis had this happen. The sad part about free ranging turkeys in this kind of setting is that they usually establish a brood nest in the woods and are a prime target for foxes and coyotes. They just usually don't have the wild instincts to survive and raise a brood in the woods.

 

[archerobx]

I have a pair in a coop now and when the poults get old enough wanted to free range them.
I do have several strips of woods seperating the fields and also have yotes.

Maybe I will try free ranging a couple and keep rest in coop and if they survive let the others free range.

thanks