I might have a turkey! Chicken owner needs generic advice.

[tamraclovw]

Hi all! Last week, I finally got some pasture fenced for my flock of about 15 chickens. It took them a while to like going outside - they met the electric a couple of times and got scared... But they are enjoying it now! This morning, I saw what I thought was a wild turkey hen grazing outside my fence, near my chickens. She saw me and hustled herself into the tree line (right at my fence). A couple of hours later, she was there again - at 11am, in broad daylight - digging herself a dusting hole.

My new theory is that she is an escaped domestic turkey, otherwise she wouldn't be out in a pasture during the day. My plan is to try and catch her. I have a large live-animal trap (my chickens were constantly getting caught in it last year instead of the groundhog!). I set out a water bowl and cracked grain dish near her dusting hole today. I'll give her a few days, then move the food into the trap. I'd like to clip her wing and add her to my flock!

I'm looking for comments or advice. Is there any reason why I shouldn't try it? Anything I should know ahead of time? Do turkeys have seriously different feed/housing needs than chickens? I rotate 2 40x80 pastures for my birds, so adding 1 turkey should be fine as far as forage goes, and I feed layer pellets, cracked corn and whole oats. Anything I'm not thinking of?

Thanks!!

 

[tamraclovw]

Update - the turkey never came back , she must have just been passing through - bummer!

 

[bluebirdnanny]

Glad it didn't come back because you may have found yourself in trouble with wildlife management officials. It is illegal to have wild animals like that penned. Here anyway. It may just have been used to being fed in an area. Some places feeding wildlife is ok and others it is not.

Even to raise Turkeys here we have to keep proof of purchase from a hatchery AND keep a record of any hatchlings as well as band them. And then they can not free range so they do not "mix genetics" with the wild of the area.

Just an informational for you and any others who may consider this. Without a rehabbers permit/license it is illegal to possess a wild animal.

Check with wildlife officials before considering this type of addition to a flock. You may find yourself with a hefty fine or trying to raise bail.