Letting turkeys out for the first time

[AllycatAlley]

I'm scared to let my 3 month old turkeys out... I've tried it once and they went crazy and I was scared to leave them alone and it took me forever to get them back in... I guess I'm scared there going to fly are wonder off... Ant advice are suggestion?!?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Supervise them. Mine are only let out into a bigger fenced area for short times. Young turkeys are a pain in the butt when left free. They will get up on everything, and go everywhere. Use sticks in your hands to help herd turkeys back where you want them. I personally think turkeys are best kept in a large run.

 

[KayHartZZ]

I'm all about bribery So I would have treats like cut up grapes or a bucket of feed to shake and entice them back...eventually it was easy to get them back in. We had too many predators for me to leave them out while I was at work so I would only do this when I knew I was going to be at home for a few hrs blocks of time.

 

[Jase The Butcher]

I had a flock of meat turkeys, and when I let them roam around, my neighbors dog eat five. I would not advise letting them roam around unless you are watching them, because they are kinda dumb animals and are vulnerable to hawk, dog, and other predator attacks.

 

[Jeffrey Foster]

Not to mention that they seem to have an affinity for jumping up on vehicles (especially pickup trucks). Its not to bad when they are small but a 15 lbs bird tends to remove paint when they slide down your hood. Electric poultry netting works great as long as there is nothing they can use as a bridge. Mine like to fly up on the roof of my barn and then use that as pathway to freedom. Luckily the Toms have gotten to big to fly that high, which helps keep the hen close by.