Imprinting on Turkeys

[Uly235]

Recently I purchased 5 heritage breed turkeys at a reasonable price at 6 weeks old, well feathered. They are one black Spanish, one blue slate, and three narangansett. I have them by themselves in my green house and they are flourishing. My only problem is that they fear me. When I first brought them home they were very nervous and didn't eat for a day, they wold shake in fear every time I held them. I'd like to keep most as pets or friends and so its important to bond with them, are they to old to still imprint? Should I learn turkey calls? I do spend hours wIth them, holding them and accept the many poop ons I get lol. I took two outside yesterday and they made a run for it into the woods, their smart fast and fly good. I caught them eventually. I hear stories of people bonding with turkeys and id like to free range them but worried they go wild into the woods. Any advice? I'd hate to keep them caged forever. I live in Ny also, wild turkeys around.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Recently I purchased 5 heritage breed turkeys...

There is your problem. Time and repeated, gentle contact is what it takes. Don't do things around them that spooks them, give them occasional (not lots) treats once in a while, then let the tincture of time have its way. They'll eventually calm down around you.

Can't say whether they'll ever be lap birds or not. But they will calm down and stop acting like you're a predator every time you come near.

 

[Oregon Blues]

If it frightens them to pick them up, then you are scaring them every time you pick them up. That makes them think you are dangerous.

Stop picking them up. Bring treats and a lawn chair and sit calmly and talk to them and toss treats out on the ground. Toss them out however far the turkeys feel safe to come and eat them. Gradually, as you do nothing to frighten them, you will build trust. You can toss the treats closer to your feet. Eventually, the turkeys will come right up to you.

Unlike ducks and geese, turkeys don't seem to have any objection to being picked up and carried, but you must be patient until they have learned that you won't hurt them or frighten them.

 

[frank53061]

Oregon Blues

Is right spend time with them don't make any sudden big moves set in a lawn chair let them get to know you as someone that is part of there area and wont hurt them and give them treats from time to time and talk to them as well.

Turkeys from what I have seen and I,m new to Turkeys do not like new and different things they tend to be guarded and careful.

I have had my Turkeys from day 3 and now are 11 weeks old and if I set down on the feed bucket they will fly up onto my lap wanting there belly's scratched as I have said before they are like dogs with feathers.

A.T. Hagan

Is also right try to spend Time and repeated, gentle contact is what it takes.

I have found a lot of wisdom here and am still learning.

 

[TurkeyOutlaw]

That is amazing that you got them back from the woods! Good luck with the taming of your turkeys.

I have two poults raised by me from day-one and two poults raised by a real turkey mom. When I got the two turkey-raised poults, they would nothing to do with me.

So everyday I go pet the two tame turkeys. I let the non-tame turkey walk near me, while holding my hands still - never reaching for her. I've been doing this for about two weeks, and she has been wandering closer each day.

Yesterday she wandered under me, and as we made eye contact, I gently stroked her chest. Then she scampered off with the other turkeys, acting all cool like nothing happened. The male is still wary of me, but I'm happy with the progress.

 

[DeannaOR]

The turkey poult in my avatar, "Freebie" was given to me as a gift at just a couple days old. I kept her in a brooder in my house and held her often. She thinks I am the Momma and is tame. The turkey poults that I let our turkey hen hatch out and care for are scared to death of me. They act like I'm going to eat them. I think you got great advice here =) I really like the looks of the Spanish Black..I had thought about getting a pair...but got Royal Palms instead. I love my turkeys!

 

[ach2k6]

I had the same situation with some Bourban Reds that i purchased that were 5 weeks old. They didn't have much human interaction before me and when i let them out in their big enclosure they all tried hiding in the corner. As others mentioned sitting still by them seemed to really help and also establishing a feeding routine seems to really get the used to me.

 

[3 NH reds]

I had the same problem with my Ranger chicks, they thought I was a demon from Hell. Once they figured out I was the one bringing them mash they calmed down. So food works and stop picking them up, had to convince my wife to stop doing that and it helped.