I need an education on Turkeys, your knowledge is valuable!

[SunnyCalifornia]

So today, I found a small turkey at my work (a nursery). It showed up out of nowhere, and they are not indigenous to my area. The German Shepherd would have killed it, or the many coyotes in the area would have eaten it if I didn't catch it and bring it home.

Its friendly, about knee high, taller than my LF hens, but weighs about the same. My novice guess is that it is a small hen. She will let us pet her, and feed her by hand. We'd like to consider keeping her as a pet, but I don't know the first thing about keeping turkeys.


What do I need to know about keeping turkeys, and also about keeping turkeys with chickens?

Thank you for your info!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

WOW!! LUCKY DUCK er... umm... turkey!!!!
There's a ton of great knowledge i have just started reading thru right here on BYC, good luck with her!

 

[ivan3]

When you get a chance, post up shot of adoptee in the light (there are some pretty good ID'ers here).

Seems the State has introduced Wild's in your area: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/uplandgame/docs/turkplan_04.pdf , though the behavior argues for someone's pet having gotten out.

Keep it quarantined for a month (can never be too sure). Layer feed will do, but game bird feed is a bit better. It will fly, so keep this in mind.

ALBC has concentrated turkey info (read chap. on diseases): http://www.albc-usa.org/EducationalResources/turkeys.html

Use the Advanced Search Function for specific info. in a hurry (after you've declared variables use the SEARCH button at the bottom of the screen).

Nice Save!

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

Thanks, I will read up on all of that, and get a better picture of it/her posted tomorrow.

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

Here it is! What do you think I have?

 

[ivan3]

Nice turk (regardless of variety). White tips on tail?

I'm interested in behavior rather than coloration so I'm not much help. According to article I linked to in my first post the State released some unusual `variants' in your area.

An article from a San Diego rag (follow link out of article for more info): http://www.examiner.com/article/wild-turkeys-san-diego-county-yes

NWTF info with individual variety info links: http://www.nwtf.org/NAWTMP/about_wild_turkeys.html

Could be a `domestic' variant, though any variety of turkey hatched and inured to close human contact, i.e., supplying food and shelter, is `domestic' (not likely to survive in wild).

We have Easterns that are pretty `relaxed' moving through our woods regularly and not immediately taking flight or melting away into the underbrush when they see us, but a `lap' turkey raised in the wild by a hen? Rather unlikely.

 

[Oregon Blues]

Just because you found it does not mean it is yours. At the very least, call the humane society and report that you have found her. She is someone's pet and they are probably looking for her.

Heritage turkeys fly and sometimes they escape. That does not mean they are homeless. The chances that anyone took a turkey out to the country and released it, like they do with ducks, are pretty slim.

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

Actually, I did call, I did that the very next day.