I saw the culprit - an owl just killed one of my turkeys!!

[lengel]

Quote:
The gap in our overhead covering was so small that I'm amazed that it got in. It absolutely could not get out though. It must have folded its wings to get through but there was no way it could fly out without extending its wings. Definitely cover all overhead openings against owls.

On some level, I am thrilled that the thing is hanging around. Our rodent population has been insane for years. Rodents carry ticks and the Lyme disease issue has been completely out of control. Initially we got birds to keep the tick population down. In many ways, having the owl around helps on the other end of the food chain and is helping us in just the way we wanted in the first place. On the other hand, there needs to be a solid barrier between our birds and it. I think that the owl is one of the easier predators to guard against so hopefully we'll be able to live together.

 

[scooter147]

Generally the great horned owl stricks at night. In the "wild" the great horned will definately take turkeys.
I read an article in the Missouri Dept of Consveration magazine that they will fly and sit next to a turkey on the branch while they roost at night and then literally reach over and break the turkeys neck with it's beak. The turkey falls to the ground and the owl feeds. If I remember correctly they generally go after the younger ones. I believe turkeys are like chickens and cannot see in the dark. My experience with turkeys is limited.