Homing turkeys

[Rustywreck]

I have six turkeys, and they aren't like my chickens. As it becomes dark, the chickens will go back into the coup.

The turkeys will not. They need to be herded back to their pen.

I let them run free in the yard while I'm around and they stick around generally. Once in a while they will wander off, but are easily herd back.

I could never let them completely free range. First, I don't think they are smart enough to find their way back should they wander too far. Second, if they did stick around, they'd probably sleep on my deck (they own the deck), and crap all over it. Third, they would be dead outside of the security the pen offers them. Weasels, mink, or something very small has already killed a bunch of them. Outside there would be even more critters looking to get a bite out of them.

 

[kinnip]

Well, the turkey is now roaming the goat pen. So far, he shows no inclination to leave. We erected a goat-proof shelf for his food and water with a nice roost. I think the goats are a little confused. Hopefully, they won't try to initiate him with mighty head butts. The poor guy has been moved around a lot this week, and I hate it for him. He seems to have weathered it all pretty well. Maybe turkeys have a sense of humor too. I still need a mate for him. Anyone have a lady they're looking to unload? I promise I won't put her in a crate. BeakSanctuary, I'll let you know if he makes a break for it. Good luck.

 

[monarc23]

Quote:
honestly the way my turkeys were, im sure the goats will have more to worry about if theres any aggression lol

 

[deerman]

Yes would be wise to check your State law.

Here in Ohio if you try free ranging turkey, your looking at a big fine ,and maybe jail time!!!

 

[kinnip]

I've researched the GA laws and came up null. There really aren't many laws here governing the raising of livestock on a small scale. The guy I got the turkey from is a retired LEO and was free ranging him, so I guess I didn't miss anything.
sandspoultry was right about just letting him loose. That bird is waaaay more interested in following me around than making a break for the wild. In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm his girlfriend. I know how to handle the roo when he decides to treat me like one of his girls, but that turkey is too big for threatening. Any suggestion on how to make it all a little less weird?

 

[chickenannie]

Quote:
Here's how I trained my turkey tom to behave. You have to think like a turkey and show him you are alpha. All you have to do to get this message across, is that EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU SEE HIM, you must do something considered aggressive in his little turkey mind, such as take a few steps toward him, take a broom and shoo him away, or the best one, pick him up and put him down a few steps away, or just hold him for a while. This means YOU are in control. You will train him in no time to realize that when he sees you, you are alpha. He'll still follow you around, but he won't think you're his girlfriend anymore.

Don't do any of that rooster stuff like hold him upside down, or fight with him. What I'm talking about is just "get in his space" so HE has to be the one to move away from you. If you shoo him with a broom or stick, it can be just a slight movement toward him. He'll get the picture. It's important to do it EVERY time you see him, consistently.

Let me know how it works! Worked like a charm for me. Now I hardly have to do that stuff unless once in while he gets too close which is rare.

 

[kinnip]

He responds well when I shoo him. Unfortunately, he forgets and homes in on my backside again. It's actually become quite comic. I can hear him following me. When I turn around, he looks around like he just happened to be going my way. Sometimes he has all his feathers spread and his head is dark purple. Even funnier, he seems to like my BF more than me. This dude needs a girlfriend badly!!!! He doesn't make any aggressive moves, he just likes to dream.
As for picking him up, I don't have the fortitude to do it every day. He's huge. I think he remembers the couple of times I've done it already, and has decided the BF is a better choice anyway. BF will not pick him up. He won't even stand up to the rooster. He's convinced one of these birds is going to put him in the hospital. I told him not to worry, I'll protect him.
Last night, the turkey flew onto the roof of one of the chicken coops. All hell broke loose. Chickens were running out of the coop. The rooster decided the best way to make himself feel safer was to start raping anything that moved. Here I am chasing chickens and trying to shoo the turkey off the roof. Where's the BF? Standing at the gate like he's going to open it and rush in to help any minute. About the time I had all the chickens back in the coop, he comes in to 'help'. Thanks big man!

 

[chickenannie]

Kinnip,
I understand that kind of scenario very well! I hope all ended well.

As for the turkey tom, just shooing him away sometimes is NOT going to work. he'll just dodge out of your way. Seriously, spend one week making aggressive moves at him EVERY SINGLE TIME you see him. Threaten him and his space. If you can't pick him up, make him MOVE -- Even if he's 20 feet away, if you see him, go at him, even if it just means you run at him and make him back up. I don't mean hit him or be violent at him in any way. Just think of it as YOU being the big bully and it has to be 100% consistent or it won't work. I guarantee you after a week he will respect your space. I know it sounds really weird to do this, but I was amazed at how well it worked.

 

[austinhart123]

it needs to be in a coop where it can explore and learn for a couple of weeks

 

[Pinky]

When I got my tom turkey,he liked me alittle too much(even more than my hen turkey).I watched my female with him when he tried to pressure her.She would stretch out her neck towards him and make a cluck at him(She didn't peck at him) and he left her alone.I tried it with my hand when he tried to get too close to me and he never bothered me again ,but still followed me.