HELP! on abandon Wild Turkeys

[Hemlock Spurs]

QUESTION: Can i take these birds in? And what should i expect? Please Advise?



SET UP: We live in rural VA; wooded lot with a creek. We've had five chickens (layers) for over a year. Plus three new layers this spring. They sleep in a tractor and free range all day. Dogs, Cats, bees, & chickens all get along fine. No fences.

A friend called us tonight to ask if we can take in two wild turkeys living around her house; also rural. She estimates the birds to be around six weeks old. They are and have been motherless for some reason. They follow her around and are pecking at her back door to get in her house. (I think they have imprinted on her/Humans) She knows we have chickens and wanted to know if we can take these birds and help them. I don't know anything about raising turkeys, but can learn as i did with chickens.

This is one of those emergency phone calls during dinner issues. I am certainly willing to help these birds.

Thank you.

 

[annewandering]

Call fish and game. Either they or blm should take them. I think its illegal for you to have them. My family had a big problem with those birds and either fish and game or blm came up and took them away to relocate. They will leave a cage with your friend to capture them if needed.

 

[ivan3]

Your best bet is to have your friend call the local Game Warden? and explain the situation. http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/permits/guide.asp

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/enforcement/

 

[Jake Levi]

Most states now allow domestic rearing of wild eastern turkeys, with or without a permit.

When I was a kid, back just after the last Ice Age it was rare, everywhere to see a wild turkey, now I believe they are found in 48 states. Even Alaska now has some.

In any case, feed these guys, check it out, I have had wild ones that joined with my Wishard turkeys, they joined right in, I only knew the Wishard as slightly bigger. I am sure that mine interbred.

In any case, feed them, enjoy them and find out what their status is in your state. I suspect there is a good chance they can stay, if so you will enjoy them.

 

[casportpony]

I'd take them and raise them.

-Kathy

 

[retlaw]

If the STATE catches you, you can bill them for your expense for looking after there neglected animals.
That's what they would do to you if you neglected to tend after your claimed animals.

 

[angel8035]

I would just take them and let them free range on your property. You can feed them turkey feed and they can leave if they want to. That way you aren't "keeping" wild animals but you are helping them survive.

 

[De Wet]

agree I will also keep it they come to you and you did not caught them. You live in their environment why relocate ? I found it cute if turkeys follow me

it is like my full grown 7 month old male, follow me everywhere I go especially feeding time.

 

[Jake Levi]

There you are, feed them, take care of them and let them free range, they may well home with you with ever increasing ranging. It will be fun to watch.

The majority of DNR agents have their hands full with poachers and law enforcement, rehabbing birds is something they dont want to put time into.

Feed them, care for them and let them roam and return to the wild if they want, if not then not.

 

[frank53061]

I agree if they have imprinted on humans what would the fish and game do with them take them out in the middle of the woods and dump them off after all this is not some wild life show that takes all 2 young Turkeys out and some wild life expert dresses up like a Turkey and teaches them the ways of the wild

.
They were not taken from there flock or mother and there is not a danger to people and other animals its not like she was trying to adopt a Bob cat or Mountain Lyon.
With out a flock most likely they would end up as pray to a domestic or non domestic predator.